{"argument_date":"2014-11-05T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2014-11-05T00:00:00Z","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/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Martinez argued the phrase unambiguously covers physical evidence.","Mr. Badalamenti argued the phrase confines to information storage devices.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 17-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-1"}]}],"caption":"Yates v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.634059Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Prosecutors argue a dead fish is a tangible object. The defendant argues the law only covers information storage devices.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2014-11-05T00:00:00Z","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/13-7451.html","primary_docket":"13-7451","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T20:23:22.524728Z","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 the scope of a federal statute. The government claims the law covers all physical items. The defendant claims the law covers only information storage devices."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 5, 2014."],"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/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The government wants the conviction to stand.","The defendant wants the conviction overturned."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The government argues the statute covers all physical evidence.","The defendant argues the statute covers only information storage devices."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked if a blank iPad falls under the law.","Justice Ginsburg asked why the phrase stands alone in the text."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 17-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-1"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the scope of federal obstruction laws. It determines what physical items prosecutors can charge. It affects how courts interpret statutory language."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}]},{"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 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 17-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-1"}]}],"slug":"2014-13-7451-yates-v-united-states","term":"2014","title":"Does a fish count as a tangible object under federal law?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-7451_k1fk.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}