{"argument_date":"2020-10-07T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2020-10-07T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2020","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","paragraphs":["Ford's counsel argued that specific jurisdiction requires suit-related conduct in the forum state. He stated that the defendant must engage in conduct relevant to the claims.","Justice Breyer noted that the doctrine aims to prevent unfairness to defendants. He observed that the car was sent to the state.","Justice Thomas questioned the connection between the Due Process Clause and proximate cause. He asked counsel to trace the legal lineage of this requirement.","Chief Justice Roberts asked if advertising in all states satisfies jurisdictional requirements. He posed a hypothetical about a safety claim arising from an ad."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 6-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 6-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 24-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 24-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 32-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 32-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 26-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 26-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 10-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 14-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 26-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 26-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 30-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 22-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 22-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 50-28"}]}],"caption":"Ford Motor Co. v. Montana Eighth Judicial Dist. Court","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.049485Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.061785Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T23:56:30.754241Z","explanation":"An official Court opinion was verified.","status":"decided"}],"case_status":"decided","dek":"Ford argues that selling a car in Montana does not create jurisdiction for a crash there. Montana argues that the sale creates the necessary legal connection.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 14-28"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2020-10-07T00:00:00Z","maturity":"post_opinion","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2020","official_disposition_urls":["https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/592us2r21_p86a.pdf"],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/19-368.html","primary_docket":"19-368","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:26:53.411256Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["Ford Motor Company seeks to dismiss a lawsuit. The company claims Montana courts lack power over it. The state argues the courts have proper authority."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 14-28"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 7, 2020."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 10-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 30-32"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Ford wants the Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit. The company argues it lacks sufficient ties to Montana.","Montana wants the Supreme Court to keep the lawsuit. The state argues the car sale creates a valid legal link."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 14-28"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Ford argues that specific jurisdiction requires suit-related conduct in the forum state. The company claims its advertising does not satisfy this requirement.","Montana argues that the Due Process Clause allows jurisdiction based on relatedness. The state claims the car sale connects to the injury."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 14-28"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked if Ford advertises in all fifty states. He questioned how advertising relates to the specific claim.","Justice Thomas asked how the Due Process Clause leads to a proximate cause argument. He requested a lineage tracing back to International Shoe."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 6-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 6-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 24-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 24-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 32-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 32-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 26-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 26-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 26-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 26-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 30-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 22-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 22-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 50-28"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines when a company faces lawsuits in distant states. It determines the scope of personal jurisdiction for national businesses. The outcome shapes the balance between state power and corporate mobility."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 14-28"}]},{"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 11, lines 6-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 6-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 24-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 24-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 32-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 32-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 26-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 26-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 10-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 26-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 26-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 30-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 22-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 22-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 50-28"}]}],"slug":"2020-19-368-ford-motor-co-v-montana-eighth-judicial-dist-court","term":"2020","title":"Does selling a car in a state create jurisdiction for a crash there?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-368_m648.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 14-28"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":"latest_argument_date","updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}