{"argument_date":"2019-10-07T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2019-10-07T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2019","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","paragraphs":["Jeffrey Fisher argued the Sixth Amendment requires unanimous juries in state trials.","He cited the Timbs decision to support equal application of rights.","He addressed concerns about reliance on existing non-unanimous verdicts.","Sarah Murrill argued the case presents two distinct legal issues."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 15-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 43-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 37-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 37-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 53-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 53-41"}]}],"caption":"Ramos v. Louisiana","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.810853Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.841368Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Louisiana allows non-unanimous verdicts. the side that brought the case argues this violates the Sixth Amendment.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 37-35"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2019-10-07T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2019","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/18-5924.html","primary_docket":"18-5924","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:48:53.569322Z","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 state criminal trials must use unanimous juries. the side that brought the case seeks a constitutional mandate. The state defends its current practice."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 37-35"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 7, 2019."],"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/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 37-13"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the Court to mandate unanimous juries in all state criminal trials.","Louisiana wants the Court to allow states to use non-unanimous juries."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 37-35"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the Sixth Amendment requires unanimity for all criminal convictions.","Louisiana argues the Sixth Amendment does not require unanimous verdicts in state courts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 37-35"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kavanaugh asked how to distinguish this case from jury size precedents.","Justice Kagan asked if this would create a unique exception for the Sixth Amendment."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 15-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 43-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 37-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 53-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 53-41"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines whether state criminal defendants receive unanimous jury verdicts. It defines the scope of Sixth Amendment protections. It impacts how states conduct criminal trials."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 37-35"}]},{"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 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 15-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 43-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 37-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 53-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 53-41"}]}],"slug":"2019-18-5924-ramos-v-louisiana","term":"2019","title":"Does the Sixth Amendment require unanimous juries in state criminal trials?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 39-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 39-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-5924_6j37.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 37-35"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}