{"argument_date":"2013-03-18T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-03-18T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Byrne stated that defalcation is a confounding question in bankruptcy law.","Mr. Bensinger argued that the trustee's self-dealing was a reckless breach of duty.","Mr. Gannon contended that no particular mens rea is inherent in defalcation.","Justice Breyer noted that the trustee acted knowingly, which is stronger than recklessness."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.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/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-43"}]}],"caption":"Bullock v. BankChampaign, N. A.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.437921Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a trustee's self-dealing constitutes defalcation without proof of intent to defraud.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 25-33"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-03-18T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/11-1518.html","primary_docket":"11-1518","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T22:08:02.703715Z","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 examines the mental state required for defalcation under bankruptcy law. the side that brought the case argues that reckless self-dealing suffices. the opposing side contends that intent to defraud is necessary. The Court must define the term defalcation in Section 523(a)(4)."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 25-33"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 18, 2013."],"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/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the Court to hold that reckless self-dealing meets the defalcation standard.","the opposing side wants the Court to require proof of intent to defraud for defalcation."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 25-33"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues that a reckless breach of fiduciary duty is a defalcation.","the opposing side argues that no specific mental state is inherent in the term defalcation."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 25-33"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked whether the mental state applies to facts or law.","Justice Sotomayor noted the trustee wanted profits from the investment."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-43"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the mental state required for defalcation. It determines when a trustee's self-dealing bars debt discharge. It clarifies the scope of fiduciary duties in bankruptcy. It impacts how courts treat reckless breaches of trust."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 25-33"}]},{"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 10, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-43"}]}],"slug":"2012-11-1518-bullock-v-bankchampaign-n-a","term":"2012","title":"Does defalcation require intent to defraud?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1518_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 25-33"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}