{"argument_date":"2008-10-14T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2008-10-14T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Metzler argued the homeowner consented to entry. He said no reasonable officer would doubt this.","Mr. Stirba argued the entry was constitutional. He said no clear law was violated.","Mr. Stewart argued the entry was constitutional. He asked the Court to change the decision order."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-13"}]}],"caption":"Pearson v. Callahan","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:27.067692Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Officers entered a home with a confidential informant. The homeowner sued for damages. The officers claim legal protection.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2008-10-14T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/07-751.html","primary_docket":"07-751","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T21:27:53.611504Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the legal shield for police officers. It asks if a general rule protects them. It also asks if a specific court ruling is required."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 14, 2008."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The officers want the lower court decision overturned. They want a general rule to provide legal protection.","The homeowner wants the lower court decision to stand. They want the officers to pay damages."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The officers argue a general rule protects them. They say no specific ruling was needed.","The homeowner argues no specific rule existed. They say the officers violated clear law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked if general consent rules suffice. He questioned the required level of legal detail.","Justice Souter asked if only one case supported the rule. He questioned the source of that case."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the legal shield for police. It determines if officers need specific rulings. It affects how courts handle civil lawsuits against officers."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-13"}]}],"slug":"2008-07-751-pearson-v-callahan","term":"2008","title":"Does a police officer need a specific court ruling to enter a home with a confidential informant?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}