October Term 2004 · Docket 03-1488
Can a court order a speaker to stop defamatory statements?
the sides that brought the case seek to void an injunction. the opposing sides seek to keep it in place.
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
Mr. Chemerinsky argued the injunction violates First Amendment principles.
He claimed the order restricts non-parties and is overbroad.
Mr. Cole argued the side that brought the case targeted the opposing side for tribute.
He stated the side that brought the case admitted intent to engage in this conduct.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 1-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 1-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case involves a court order stopping specific speech.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-3
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 22, 2005.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the injunction voided to protect speech.
the opposing sides want the injunction kept to stop defamation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-3
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the order is an unconstitutional prior restraint.
the opposing sides argue the speech is unprotected and intended for tribute.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-3
What the justices asked
Justice O'Connor asked if the side that brought the case intends to continue the comments.
Justice Kennedy asked if any legal remedy exists beyond damages.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 1-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 1-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-7
Why it matters
The outcome defines the limits of court orders on speech. It balances free expression against protection from defamation. It determines when courts can silence speakers before harm occurs.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-3
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 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 1-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 1-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-7
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 26, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 33-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 33-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-3
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.