October Term 2003 · Docket 02-1684
Does a juvenile's age affect custody status?
The dispute centers on whether a suspect's age matters during police questioning.
Verified source milestones
- — 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
Ms. Chuang argued for a uniform custody standard. She cited a four-decade legal history. She emphasized restraint associated with formal arrest.
Ms. Allen clarified the record for the Court. She noted the district court found parents were denied access. She defended the lower court's factual finding.
Mr. Elwood argued the Ninth Circuit erred. He stated age and experience must not be considered. He opposed the lower court's custody test.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 19-21
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The Court examines the legal standard for custody. It reviews a lower court's inclusion of age in that test.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-47
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 1, 2004.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
the side that brought the case seeks a uniform custody standard. It excludes age from the legal test.
the opposing side seeks a custody test that includes age. It relies on the lower court's finding.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-47
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues age is irrelevant to custody. It cites a four-decade standard for restraint.
the opposing side argues age is relevant to custody. It relies on the district court's factual finding.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-47
What the justices asked
The Chief Justice asked about the record. He referenced the parents' denied access to the interview.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 19-21
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of police questioning. It determines when a suspect must receive rights. It affects how courts evaluate juvenile interactions with law enforcement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-47
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 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 19-21
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 19, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-47
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.