{"argument_date":"2016-10-11T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2016-10-11T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","paragraphs":["Jeffrey Fisher argued racial bias undermines the Sixth Amendment right.","He noted many states already allow courts to review such evidence.","He acknowledged other identity categories might raise similar questions.","Colorado's advocate argued jury confidentiality prevents harassment and tampering."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 28-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 28-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 50-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 50-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 28-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 40-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 48-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 48-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 36-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 36-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 52-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 52-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 6-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 16-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 16-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 52-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 20-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 20-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 16-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 16-18"}]}],"caption":"Pena-Rodriguez v. Colorado","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:22.139678Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:22.168484Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the side that brought the case seeks to admit juror statements about racial bias. Colorado argues such statements remain confidential.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 28-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 28-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 36-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 36-4"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2016-10-11T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/15-606.html","primary_docket":"15-606","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:55:16.136199Z","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 courts may examine juror statements about racial bias. the side that brought the case argues this bias violates the Sixth Amendment. Colorado argues jury deliberations must remain confidential."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 28-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 28-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 36-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 36-4"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 11, 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/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 52-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 52-6"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the court to admit evidence of racial bias.","Colorado wants the court to keep jury statements confidential."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 28-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 28-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 36-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 36-4"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues racial bias violates the right to an impartial jury.","Colorado argues jury confidentiality protects the integrity of the trial system."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 28-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 28-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 36-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 36-4"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked if religious bias would trigger the same rule.","Justice Alito asked how to distinguish race from religion in future cases."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 50-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 50-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 28-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 40-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 48-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 48-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 52-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 52-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 6-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 16-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 16-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 52-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 20-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 20-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 16-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 16-18"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the scope of jury confidentiality. It determines whether courts can investigate racial bias in verdicts. The outcome shapes the balance between fair trials and private deliberations."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 28-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 28-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 36-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 36-4"}]},{"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 50-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 50-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 28-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 40-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 48-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 48-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 52-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 52-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 6-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 16-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 16-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 52-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 20-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 20-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 16-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 16-18"}]}],"slug":"2016-15-606-pena-rodriguez-v-colorado","term":"2016","title":"Can a court review juror statements about racial bias?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 28-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 28-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 36-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-606_5iel.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 36-4"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}