October Term 2003 · Docket 02-954
Does FOIA Exemption 7(C) shield graphic death scene photos from public release?
The dispute centers on whether federal law enforcement must release sensitive autopsy images under the Freedom of Information Act.
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
the side that brought the case cited prior Supreme Court precedent to define personal privacy.
the opposing side emphasized the legitimate privacy interests of the affected family.
the side that brought the case noted that law enforcement routinely collects highly sensitive personal information.
the side that brought the case highlighted that this information often includes graphic death scene photographs.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-25
- 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 33-40 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 33-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 42-44
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of privacy protections for sensitive law enforcement records.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 33-40 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 33-40
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 3, 2003.
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 52, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 42-44
What each side wants
the side that brought the case seeks to release the sensitive records to the public.
the opposing side seeks to withhold the records to protect family privacy.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 33-40 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 33-40
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the privacy definition in prior case law supports disclosure.
the opposing side argues the Foster family has a legitimate interest in privacy.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 33-40 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 33-40
What the justices asked
The Chief Justice asked the side that brought the case to clarify the scope of the privacy claim.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 42-44
Why it matters
This case defines the balance between public access and personal privacy for sensitive records.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 33-40 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 33-40
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 52, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 42-44
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 17, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 33-40 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 33-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 33-40 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 33-40
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.