{"argument_date":"2011-03-02T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2011-03-02T00:00:00Z","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/2010/10-98.pdf","paragraphs":["General Katyal argued the arrest serves a core prosecutorial purpose.","Mr. Gelernt cited the Fourth Amendment requirement for probable cause.","justice_questions"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 43-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 5-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 43-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-41"}]}],"caption":"Ashcroft v. al-Kidd","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.130360Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a prosecutor can be sued for arresting a witness without probable cause.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 43-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-45"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2011-03-02T00:00:00Z","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/10-98.html","primary_docket":"10-98","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T00:07:27.862544Z","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 scope of prosecutorial immunity. the side that brought the case seeks absolute protection from civil suits. the opposing side argues qualified immunity applies instead."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 43-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-45"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 2, 2011."],"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/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants absolute immunity from civil liability for the arrest.","the opposing side wants qualified immunity to apply to the arrest."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 43-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-45"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the arrest is a core prosecutorial function.","the opposing side argues the arrest is not a core prosecutorial function."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 43-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-45"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if the statute changes the immunity analysis.","Justice Breyer asked about a prosecutor's intent to misuse the process."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 43-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 5-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-41"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the boundary of prosecutorial power. It determines when officials face personal liability for arrests. It balances public safety against individual rights."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 43-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-45"}]},{"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 10, lines 41-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 43-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 5-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-41"}]}],"slug":"2010-10-98-ashcroft-v-al-kidd","term":"2010","title":"Does a prosecutor hold absolute immunity for a material witness arrest?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 43-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-98.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-45"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}