{"argument_date":"2013-11-06T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-11-06T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Hungar argued the Second Circuit's approach is flawed.","Mr. Gershengorn argued the lower court required excessive judicial review.","Mr. Laycock argued the town's answer is entirely formalistic.","Mr. Hungar cited the Senate brief on prayer history."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 9-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 51-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 51-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 5-13"}]}],"caption":"Town of Greece v. Galloway","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.406789Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.424457Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether town board prayers violate the Establishment Clause.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 9-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 51-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 51-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-11-06T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/12-696.html","primary_docket":"12-696","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:31:13.227667Z","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":["The Town of Greece argues its opening prayers are constitutional. Galloway argues the prayers exclude non-Christians and violate the law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 9-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 51-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 51-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 6, 2013."],"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/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 39-41"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The town wants the Court to uphold its prayer practice.","Galloway wants the Court to strike down the prayer practice."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 9-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 51-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 51-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The town argues legislative prayers have a long historical tradition.","Galloway argues the prayers exclude non-Christians and coerce participation."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 9-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 51-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 51-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kagan asked if the distinction applies to congressional hearings.","Justice Scalia questioned the town's stance on the marshal's announcement."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 5-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the limits of government-sponsored religious speech. It determines whether local boards can open meetings with sectarian prayers. The outcome shapes the daily experience of citizens attending public meetings. It clarifies the boundary between state and religion in local governance."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 9-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 51-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 51-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"}]},{"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 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 47-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 5-13"}]}],"slug":"2013-12-696-town-of-greece-v-galloway","term":"2013","title":"Does the First Amendment ban town board prayers?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 9-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 9-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 51-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 51-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-696_3jqa.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}