{"argument_date":"2010-11-02T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-11-02T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2010","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Smith argued the law restricts expressive works.","Mr. Smith stated California cannot meet First Amendment standards.","Mr. Morazzini argued the law targets specific violent games.","Mr. Morazzini admitted Postal 2 would be covered by the Act."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 17-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 21-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 7-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 51-11"}]}],"caption":"Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Assn.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.341169Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.368137Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"California seeks to ban selling violent games to children. The industry argues this violates free speech rights.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 17-33"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-11-02T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2010","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/08-1448.html","primary_docket":"08-1448","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T00:55:53.095537Z","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":["California enacted a law restricting violent video game sales to minors. The state claims this protects children. The industry argues the law violates First Amendment rights."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 17-33"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 2, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 7-9"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["California wants to enforce the sales ban on violent games.","The industry wants the court to strike down the state law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 17-33"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["California argues the law protects children from harmful content.","The industry argues the law restricts protected speech."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 17-33"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked why the law targets games but not movies.","Justice Scalia asked if the state would ban other violent media."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 21-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 7-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 51-11"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines state power to regulate violent media. It impacts how states protect minors. It shapes future free speech limits."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 17-33"}]},{"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 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 21-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 7-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 51-11"}]}],"slug":"2010-08-1448-schwarzenegger-v-entertainment-merchants-assn","term":"2010","title":"Can California restrict violent video game sales to minors?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1448.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 17-33"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}