{"argument_date":"2010-10-06T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-10-06T00:00:00Z","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/2010/09-751.pdf","paragraphs":["Sean Summers argued the funeral context makes the speech harmful.","He stated the family wanted a private, dignified burial.","He claimed the protesters made that impossible.","Justice Scalia questioned if the claim relies solely on the location."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-3"}]}],"caption":"Snyder v. Phelps","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.437142Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"A family seeks damages for funeral protest speech. The protesters claim constitutional protection.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-10-06T00:00:00Z","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/09-751.html","primary_docket":"09-751","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T01:03:03.467667Z","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 limits of free speech near a funeral. The family wants compensation for distress. The protesters want legal immunity for their message."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 6, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The family wants to keep the jury award for emotional distress.","The protesters want to dismiss the claim as protected speech."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The family argues the protest caused severe emotional harm.","The protesters argue the speech concerns public matters."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if the claim survives without the funeral context.","Justice Alito asked if Maryland law covers funeral events."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-3"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the boundary between private grief and public speech. It determines when courts can award damages for offensive words. It balances individual rights against community standards."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"}]},{"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 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-3"}]}],"slug":"2010-09-751-snyder-v-phelps","term":"2010","title":"Does a jury verdict for emotional distress survive First Amendment review?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-751.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}