{"argument_date":"2013-04-17T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-04-17T00:00:00Z","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/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","paragraphs":["Jeffrey Fisher argued the Fifth Amendment prohibits using silence against a suspect.","He stated that specific facts do not justify an exception to this rule.","Justice Breyer asked where the line lies between silence and invocation.","Justice Ginsburg cited a case where silence was not an invocation."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 45-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 35-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 62, lines 35-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 49-3"}]}],"caption":"Salinas v. Texas","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.337126Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.343576Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Texas prosecutors used a suspect's silence during a police interview as evidence of guilt. The suspect argues this violates the Fifth Amendment.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 45-33"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-04-17T00:00:00Z","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/12-246.html","primary_docket":"12-246","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:52:06.030885Z","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 whether the Fifth Amendment protects silence during noncustodial police interviews. The Court must decide if prosecutors may comment on a suspect's refusal to answer questions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 45-33"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 17, 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/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Texas wants the Court to allow prosecutors to use a suspect's silence as evidence of guilt.","The suspect wants the Court to ban prosecutors from using silence as evidence against him."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 45-33"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Texas argues silence during a voluntary interview is not protected by the Fifth Amendment.","The suspect argues the Fifth Amendment prohibits using his silence against him at trial."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 45-33"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked if silence during witness examination counts as a waiver.","Justice Sotomayor asked if this rule gives noncustodial defendants more rights than those in custody."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 35-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 62, lines 35-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 49-3"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the scope of Fifth Amendment protections. It determines whether silence during police questioning remains a shield or becomes evidence of guilt."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 45-33"}]},{"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 25-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 35-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 62, lines 35-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 49-3"}]}],"slug":"2012-12-246-salinas-v-texas","term":"2012","title":"Can prosecutors use a suspect's silence against them at trial?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 45-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-246_7647.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 45-33"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}