October Term 2001 · Docket 01-521
Can Minnesota ban judicial candidates from stating how they would decide cases?
Minnesota bans judicial candidates from stating how they would decide cases. the sides that brought the case argue this rule violates free speech rights.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Bopp argued the rule restricts candidate speech.
Mr. Gilbert clarified the construed rule's meaning.
Mr. Bopp noted the state brief used two formulations.
Mr. Gilbert described the state's advisory opinion process.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Minnesota restricts judicial candidates' speech. the sides that brought the case claim this rule violates the First Amendment. the opposing sides defend the state's interest in judicial impartiality.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 26, 2002.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to strike down the Minnesota rule.
the opposing sides want the Court to uphold the Minnesota rule.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the rule denies voters necessary information.
the opposing sides argue the rule protects judicial impartiality.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
What the justices asked
Does the rule unconstitutionally restrict candidate speech?
How does the rule define prohibited statements?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
Why it matters
The case defines the scope of free speech for judicial candidates. It balances voter information against judicial impartiality. The outcome shapes election rules nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 17-27
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.