{"argument_date":"2018-03-21T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2018-03-21T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","paragraphs":["The tribe's counsel argued sovereign immunity bars suits against tribal governments.","The opposing counsel argued sovereignty includes adjudicating property ownership disputes.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 53-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 53-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-9"}]}],"caption":"Upper Skagit Tribe v. Lundgren","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.874674Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether tribal sovereign immunity prevents states from suing tribes to resolve property ownership conflicts.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-43"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2018-03-21T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/17-387.html","primary_docket":"17-387","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:19:20.224692Z","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 involves a property ownership dispute. The tribe claims sovereign immunity bars the lawsuit. The opposing side argues the tribe must face the suit."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-43"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 21, 2018."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The tribe wants the Court to dismiss the lawsuit based on sovereign immunity.","The opposing side wants the Court to allow the lawsuit to proceed."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-43"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The tribe argues sovereign immunity bars suits against tribal governments.","The opposing side argues sovereignty includes adjudicating property ownership disputes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-43"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked if sovereign immunity applies to off-reservation property condemnation.","Justice Breyer asked how immunity affects property disputes between tribes and others."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 53-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 53-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-9"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the scope of tribal sovereign immunity in property disputes. It determines whether tribes can be sued for off-reservation land claims. The outcome shapes the legal landscape for tribal land ownership."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-43"}]},{"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 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 53-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 53-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-9"}]}],"slug":"2017-17-387-upper-skagit-tribe-v-lundgren","term":"2017","title":"Does sovereign immunity bar state suits against tribes for off-reservation land?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/17-387_097c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-43"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}