{"argument_date":"2020-01-21T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2020-01-21T00:00:00Z","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/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Summa argued that prior convictions lacked the necessary mental state element.","Mr. Bond argued that the statutory text does not require a generic crime comparison.","Justice Alito questioned the existence of a mens rea element in the Florida defense.","Justice Ginsburg questioned the prosecution's burden regarding the defendant's knowledge of the substance."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 7-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 53-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 49-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 53-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 51-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 53-55"}]}],"caption":"Shular v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.439190Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.456324Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a prior state conviction for a drug offense lacking a specific intent element qualifies as a serious crime under federal law.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 49-21"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2020-01-21T00:00:00Z","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/18-6662.html","primary_docket":"18-6662","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:35:06.505184Z","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 asks if a state drug offense that does not require proof of guilty knowledge counts as a serious crime for federal sentencing enhancements."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 49-21"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 21, 2020."],"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/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 23-25"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the court to exclude prior state drug convictions that lack a knowledge element from federal sentencing enhancements.","The government wants the court to include prior state drug convictions as serious offenses regardless of the knowledge element."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 49-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues that state drug laws without a guilty knowledge requirement do not match the generic definition of a serious crime.","The government argues that the statutory text does not require a generic analogue inquiry for this specific sentencing provision."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 49-21"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked if the defendant could have raised an affirmative defense regarding the substance identity.","Justice Ginsburg asked if the prosecution must prove the defendant knew the substance was cocaine if the defendant claimed ignorance."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 7-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 53-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 53-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 51-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 53-55"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines how federal courts classify prior state drug convictions. It affects the severity of sentences for repeat offenders. It clarifies the definition of serious crimes in federal law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 49-21"}]},{"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 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 7-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 53-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 53-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 51-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 53-55"}]}],"slug":"2019-18-6662-shular-v-united-states","term":"2019","title":"Does a state drug crime without a knowledge requirement count as a serious offense for federal sentencing?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-6662_k536.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 49-21"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}