{"argument_date":"2016-03-21T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2016-03-21T00:00:00Z","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/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Goldenberg argued Section 1962 affects government prosecutions.","Mr. Katsas stated the Second Circuit extended RICO to foreign claims.","Mr. Frederick noted the EU sued for actions in the U.S.","Justice Breyer questioned the purpose of including foreign acts in RICO."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 16-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 16-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 42-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 42-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 50-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 28-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 50-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 50-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 34-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 34-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 26-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 26-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 42-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 42-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 50-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 44-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 44-50"}]}],"caption":"RJR Nabisco, Inc. v. European Community","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:22.329611Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The European Community seeks damages for tobacco harm abroad. RJR Nabisco argues the law only covers domestic injuries.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 42-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 42-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2016-03-21T00:00:00Z","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/15-138.html","primary_docket":"15-138","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T19:03:44.852424Z","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 civil RICO applies to foreign injuries. The European Community wants compensation for harm in Europe. RJR Nabisco wants the claim dismissed. The Second Circuit allowed the foreign claim. the sides that brought the case ask the Court to reverse that ruling."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 42-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 42-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 21, 2016."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The European Community wants damages for foreign injuries.","RJR Nabisco wants the foreign claim dismissed."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 42-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 42-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The European Community argues RICO covers foreign injuries.","RJR Nabisco argues RICO covers only domestic injuries."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 42-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 42-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked why Congress included foreign acts in RICO.","Justice Ginsburg asked if the statute implies domestic injury."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 16-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 16-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 50-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 28-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 50-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 50-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 34-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 34-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 26-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 26-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 42-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 42-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 50-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 44-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 44-50"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the geographic reach of civil RICO. It determines whether foreign victims can sue in U.S. courts. It affects how companies face liability for global conduct. It shapes the balance between domestic and foreign legal claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 42-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 42-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}]},{"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 16-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 16-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 50-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 28-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 50-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 50-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 34-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 34-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 26-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 26-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 42-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 42-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 50-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 44-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 44-50"}]}],"slug":"2015-15-138-rjr-nabisco-inc-v-european-community","term":"2015","title":"Does civil RICO cover foreign injuries?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 42-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 42-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-138_b97c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-48"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}