{"argument_date":"2020-11-03T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2020-11-03T00:00:00Z","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/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argued the statute requires intentional force.","The government argued the statute covers reckless force.","Justices questioned the distinction between recklessness and intent.","Advocates cited prior Supreme Court decisions for support."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 42-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 42-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 18-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 18-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 52-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 52-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 14-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 14-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 10-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 18-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 18-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 28-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 28-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 42-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 42-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 12-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 12-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 40-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 34-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 34-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 72, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 42-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 42-18"}]}],"caption":"Borden v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:18.907165Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:18.930624Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T23:56:55.112025Z","explanation":"An official Court opinion was verified.","status":"decided"}],"case_status":"decided","dek":"The dispute centers on whether the statute includes crimes committed with reckless disregard for safety.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 42-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 42-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 40-50"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2020-11-03T00:00:00Z","maturity":"post_opinion","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2020","official_disposition_urls":["https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/593us2r44_3eah.pdf"],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/19-5410.html","primary_docket":"19-5410","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:24:15.046376Z","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":["The case tests the scope of the Armed Career Criminal Act. It asks if the law covers reckless acts. the side that brought the case argues the law requires intent. The government argues the law covers reckless conduct. The Court must define the term use of force."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 42-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 42-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 40-50"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 3, 2020."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 72, lines 52-54"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the Court to limit the statute to intentional acts.","The government wants the Court to include reckless acts in the statute."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 42-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 42-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 40-50"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the word use implies active, intentional employment of force.","The government argues prior precedent supports including reckless conduct in the definition."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 42-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 42-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 40-50"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked if ordinary recklessness differs from depraved heart murder.","Justice Breyer asked how to define reckless disregard of substantial risk."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 42-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 42-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 18-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 18-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 52-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 52-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 14-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 14-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 10-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 18-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 18-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 28-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 28-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 12-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 12-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 34-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 34-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 72, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 42-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 42-18"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines which prior convictions trigger enhanced sentences. It clarifies the mental state required for violent felonies. It affects sentencing consistency across federal courts. It shapes the boundary between intentional and reckless criminal conduct."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 42-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 42-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 40-50"}]},{"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 42-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 42-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 18-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 18-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 52-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 52-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 14-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 14-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 10-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 18-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 18-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 28-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 28-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 12-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 12-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 34-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 34-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 72, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 42-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 42-18"}]}],"slug":"2020-19-5410-borden-v-united-states","term":"2020","title":"Does the Armed Career Criminal Act cover reckless force?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 42-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 42-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 52-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-5410_8n59.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 40-50"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":"latest_argument_date","updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}