{"argument_date":"2019-04-17T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2019-04-17T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case's advocate argued the residual clause should be invalidated.","The advocate cited the need for Congress to speak more clearly on prohibitions.","justice_questioning"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 20-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 28-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 28-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 36-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 36-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 10-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 12-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 12-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 10-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 10-18"}]}],"caption":"United States v. Davis","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.933440Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a vague statutory clause allows courts to convict defendants based on subjective risk assessments.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 36-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 36-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-8"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2019-04-17T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/18-431.html","primary_docket":"18-431","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:51:38.261499Z","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 the constitutionality of a specific sentencing provision. The government argues the clause is valid. The defendant argues it is unconstitutionally vague."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 36-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 36-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-8"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 17, 2019."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The government wants the Court to uphold the residual clause as a valid sentencing tool.","The defendant wants the Court to strike down the residual clause as unconstitutionally vague."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 36-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 36-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-8"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The government argues the clause provides sufficient notice to defendants about prohibited conduct.","The defendant argues the clause requires judges to make subjective predictions about future behavior."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 36-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 36-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-8"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if the case avoided a circumstance-specific approach.","Justice Sotomayor questioned whether the language best supports a categorical approach."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 20-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 28-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 28-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 10-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 12-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 12-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 10-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 10-18"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This issue determines whether courts can enhance sentences based on vague statutory language. It affects the rights of defendants facing enhanced penalties. It clarifies the limits of judicial discretion in sentencing."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 36-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 36-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-8"}]},{"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 33-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 20-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 28-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 28-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 10-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 12-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 12-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 10-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 10-18"}]}],"slug":"2018-18-431-united-states-v-davis","term":"2018","title":"Does the Armed Career Criminal Act's residual clause violate the Constitution?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 36-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 36-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-431_4gci.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-8"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}