{"argument_date":"2014-11-10T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2014-11-10T00:00:00Z","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/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","paragraphs":["T-Mobile argued the law requires separate written reasons.","The city argued the denial letter meets the requirement.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 29-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-3"}]}],"caption":"T-Mobile South, LLC v. City of Roswell","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.654724Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.668535Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"T-Mobile argues local denials must include separate written reasons. The city argues the letter suffices.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 33-43"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2014-11-10T00:00:00Z","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/13-975.html","primary_docket":"13-975","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T20:21:12.777900Z","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":["T-Mobile seeks a clear rule on written denial requirements. The city seeks to keep its current process valid."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 33-43"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 10, 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/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["T-Mobile wants a separate document stating denial reasons.","The city wants its denial letter to satisfy the law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 33-43"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["T-Mobile argues the law requires a separate reason document.","The city argues the denial letter meets the legal standard."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 33-43"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked if the lateness argument applies here.","Chief Justice Roberts asked if a later letter suffices."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 29-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-3"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines how local governments must explain denials. It affects wireless infrastructure expansion nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 33-43"}]},{"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 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 29-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 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25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-3"}]}],"slug":"2014-13-975-t-mobile-south-llc-v-city-of-roswell","term":"2014","title":"Does a local denial letter need separate reasons?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-975_21p3.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 33-43"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}