{"argument_date":"2017-03-22T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-03-22T00:00:00Z","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/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Saharsky framed the case around two specific legal questions.","She connected the dispute to the final review standard.","Mr. Rosenkranz argued officers need freedom to defend themselves in danger.","He stated any rule restricting that split-second decision is untenable for safety reasons."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 44-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 44-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 14-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 14-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 36-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 22-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 34-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 34-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 34-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 12-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 20-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 38-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 44-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 44-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 50-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 50-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 22-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 22-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 46-6"}]}],"caption":"County of Los Angeles v. Mendez","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.666892Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.693169Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether police officers can claim qualified immunity after entering a home without a valid warrant.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 44-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 44-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 14-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 14-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 34-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 34-30"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-03-22T00:00:00Z","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/16-369.html","primary_docket":"16-369","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:41:39.481757Z","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 scope of qualified immunity for law enforcement. It asks if an unlawful entry into a home automatically defeats a defense against a civil rights claim."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 44-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 44-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 14-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 14-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 34-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 34-30"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 22, 2017."],"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/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 32-34"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The county wants the Supreme Court to reverse the lower court's denial of qualified immunity.","The plaintiff wants the Supreme Court to affirm the lower court's denial of qualified immunity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 44-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 44-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 14-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 14-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 34-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 34-30"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The county argues officers must make split-second self-defense decisions without legal penalty.","The plaintiff argues unauthorized entry is a distinct constitutional violation that defeats immunity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 44-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 44-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 14-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 14-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 34-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 34-30"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kagan asked why unauthorized entry differs from a knock-and-announce violation.","Justice Kennedy asked how the warrant requirement is enforced if no damages result."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 36-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 22-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 34-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 12-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 20-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 38-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 44-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 44-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 50-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 50-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 22-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 22-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 46-6"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the legal limits of police entry into private homes. It determines whether officers face personal liability for unlawful entries. The outcome shapes future civil rights litigation against law enforcement agencies."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 44-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 44-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 14-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 14-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 34-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 34-30"}]},{"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 3, lines 36-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 36-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 22-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 34-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 12-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 20-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 38-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 44-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 44-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 50-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 50-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 22-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 22-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 46-6"}]}],"slug":"2016-16-369-county-of-los-angeles-v-mendez","term":"2016","title":"Does an unlawful home entry bar a qualified immunity defense?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 44-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 44-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 14-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 14-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 34-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-369_8nka.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 34-30"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}