{"argument_date":"2024-11-05T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2024-11-05T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2024","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Blatt argued that the default civil standard is preponderance of the evidence.","Ms. Brown asserted that Congress intended a preponderance standard for civil actions.","Ms. Bateman stated that the judiciary traditionally sets proof standards when statutes are silent."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 17-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 51-53"}]}],"caption":"E.M.D. Sales, Inc. v. Carrera","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:15.134966Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T23:55:51.141768Z","explanation":"An official Court opinion was verified.","status":"decided"}],"case_status":"decided","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek a preponderance standard. the opposing sides demand clear and convincing proof for wage claims.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-9"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2024-11-05T00:00:00Z","maturity":"post_opinion","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2024","official_disposition_urls":["https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/604us1r06_5ifl.pdf"],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-217.html","primary_docket":"23-217","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T16:00:02.072267Z","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 dispute centers on the burden of proof for minimum wage claims. the sides that brought the case argue the default civil standard applies. the opposing sides claim a heightened standard protects workers."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-9"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 5, 2024."],"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/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to apply the preponderance of the evidence standard.","the opposing sides want the Court to require clear and convincing evidence for wage claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-9"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue that the default civil standard governs when statutes are silent.","the opposing sides argue that minimum wage claims deserve a heightened standard of proof."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-9"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kavanaugh asked how individual interests apply to cases involving money.","Justice Sotomayor asked why the error was not harmless in the lower court."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 17-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 51-53"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome sets the evidentiary burden for workers seeking unpaid wages. It defines how strictly courts must scrutinize employer defenses. This standard affects the difficulty of proving wage violations nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-9"}]},{"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 12, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 17-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 51-53"}]}],"slug":"2024-23-217-e-m-d-sales-inc-v-carrera","term":"2024","title":"Does the Fair Labor Standards Act require clear and convincing proof for minimum wage claims?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-217_h21b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-9"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":"latest_argument_date","updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}