{"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/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Katyal stated the claim targets fabricated evidence.","Mr. Katyal noted malicious prosecution is the closest analogy.","Mr. Wall argued favorable termination is an element.","Mr. O'Connor distinguished pure from impure malicious prosecution."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 26-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 26-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 34-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 34-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 28-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 28-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 10-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 10-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 12-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 12-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 8-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 6-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 6-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 6-18"}]}],"caption":"McDonough v. Smith","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.936175Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a plaintiff must prove the criminal case ended in their favor to sue a prosecutor for fabricating evidence.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 10-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 10-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 12-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 12-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-31"}],"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/18-485.html","primary_docket":"18-485","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:51:56.208059Z","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 federal civil rights liability for prosecutors."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 10-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 10-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 12-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 12-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-31"}]},{"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 5, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 8-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case seeks to sue without proving the case ended favorably.","the opposing side seeks to require proof of a favorable termination."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 10-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 10-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 12-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 12-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-31"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the claim targets the initiation of proceedings.","the opposing side argues the claim requires a favorable termination."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 10-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 10-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 12-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 12-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-31"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kagan asked how this claim differs from a dismissed malicious prosecution claim.","Justice Sotomayor asked if the claim requires a finding of probable cause."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 26-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 26-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 34-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 34-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 28-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 28-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 6-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 6-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 6-18"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This defines the boundary of prosecutorial immunity in federal courts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 10-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 10-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 12-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 12-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-31"}]},{"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 26-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 26-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 34-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 34-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 28-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 28-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 8-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 6-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 6-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 6-18"}]}],"slug":"2018-18-485-mcdonough-v-smith","term":"2018","title":"Does a Section 1983 claim for fabricated evidence require a favorable termination?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 10-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 10-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 12-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 12-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-485_c0n2.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 16-31"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}