{"argument_date":"2014-04-28T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2014-04-28T00:00:00Z","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/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","paragraphs":["Lane's attorney stated the firing followed grand jury testimony.","Franks' attorney cited the government's interest in managing staff.","questions_and_answers"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 5-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 7-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 7-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-37"}]}],"caption":"Lane v. Franks","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.855870Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"A fired employee claims retaliation for grand jury testimony. His employer argues the speech falls within his job duties.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 7-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 7-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-33"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2014-04-28T00:00:00Z","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/13-483.html","primary_docket":"13-483","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T20:36:33.326541Z","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 case tests whether compelled testimony counts as job duties. This status affects First Amendment protection for public employees."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 7-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 7-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-33"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 28, 2014."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Lane wants a ruling that his testimony was protected speech.","Franks wants a ruling that the testimony was part of his job."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 7-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 7-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-33"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Lane argues compelled testimony is not a job duty.","Franks argues the government manages employees during their work."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 7-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 7-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-33"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if bad circuit precedent excuses the employee.","Justice Alito asked when subpoenaed testimony leaves job scope."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 5-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-37"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the boundary between job duties and protected speech. This boundary shapes retaliation claims for public employees."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 7-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 7-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-33"}]},{"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 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 5-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-37"}]}],"slug":"2013-13-483-lane-v-franks","term":"2013","title":"Does a public employee's compelled testimony count as job duties?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 7-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 7-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-483_21o2.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-33"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}