{"argument_date":"2016-01-12T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2016-01-12T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Shapiro argued the Seventh Circuit erred by granting habeas relief without clear precedent.","Mr. Levenstam argued the lower court found no evidence linking the defendant to drug dealing.","justice_kennedy_questioned_how_the_answer_addressed_justice_kagan_concerns","justice_kagan_requested_clarification_on_the_answer_given_to_justice_sotomayor"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 24-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 48-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 48-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 42-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 42-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 40-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 40-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 32-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 32-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 8-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 8-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 8-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 4-8"}]}],"caption":"Duncan v. Owens","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:22.581819Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a conviction stands if the jury relied on information absent from the official trial record.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 40-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 40-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-30"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2016-01-12T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/14-1516.html","primary_docket":"14-1516","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T19:59:12.318647Z","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":["This case tests the limits of jury instructions and evidence rules in criminal trials."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 40-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 40-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-30"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 12, 2016."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the Seventh Circuit decision overturned to uphold the conviction.","the opposing side wants the habeas relief granted to secure a new trial."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 40-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 40-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-30"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the Seventh Circuit violated federal law by granting relief without clear precedent.","the opposing side argues the conviction relied on facts not presented in the trial record."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 40-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 40-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-30"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if the state proved the defendant wanted to kill the victim.","Justice Ginsburg asked if the conviction relied on information missing from the record."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 24-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 48-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 48-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 42-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 42-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 32-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 32-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 8-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 8-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 8-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 4-8"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the boundary between jury discretion and strict evidence rules in criminal law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 40-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 40-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-30"}]},{"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 24-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 24-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 48-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 48-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 42-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 42-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 32-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 32-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 8-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 8-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 8-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 4-8"}]}],"slug":"2015-14-1516-duncan-v-owens","term":"2015","title":"Can a jury base a verdict on facts not in the trial record?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 40-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 40-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-1516_5ifl.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-30"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}