{"argument_date":"2014-10-07T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2014-10-07T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2014","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","paragraphs":["Laycock argued forty prison systems allow beards. He stated Arkansas rejects evidence to seek absolute deference.","Curran argued the beard aids disguise. He claimed it threatens identification and contraband concealment.","Yang argued the state failed its burden. He stated forty states allow such beards without issue."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 39-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-41"}]}],"caption":"Holt v. Hobbs","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.714056Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"A prisoner seeks to grow a beard for religious reasons. Arkansas claims this rule threatens prison safety.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-37"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2014-10-07T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2014","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/13-6827.html","primary_docket":"13-6827","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T20:31:08.476180Z","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":["Salah Horn argues his faith requires a beard. Arkansas officials ban beards to prevent contraband and disguise. The lower court sided with the state. Horn asks the Supreme Court to reverse that result."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-37"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 7, 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/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Horn wants the Court to strike down the beard ban. He argues his religious rights outweigh the state's security claims.","Arkansas wants the Court to uphold the beard ban. It argues the rule is essential for maximum security."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-37"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Horn's counsel argues forty other prison systems allow beards. They claim Arkansas rejects valid evidence to gain absolute deference.","Arkansas's counsel argues a half-inch beard aids disguise. They claim this threatens identification and contraband concealment."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-37"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if a quarter-inch rule would satisfy the standard. She noted other inmates receive similar accommodations.","Justice Kennedy asked if RLUIPA displaces the Turner standard. He questioned the specific burden on prisons under strict scrutiny."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 39-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-41"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the balance between religious freedom and prison security. It sets the standard for evaluating inmate accommodation requests. The outcome impacts how states manage religious practices in custody."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-37"}]},{"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 10, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 39-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-41"}]}],"slug":"2014-13-6827-holt-v-hobbs","term":"2014","title":"Does a half-inch beard violate prison security rules?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-6827_97be.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-37"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}