October Term 2013 · Docket 12-1117
Does reckless driving during a police chase justify deadly force?
Officers shot a fleeing driver. The driver claims the force violated his rights. The officers claim qualified immunity protects them.
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
Mosley argued the Sixth Circuit failed to analyze the clearly established law prong.
Bash argued reckless driving during a pursuit can authorize deadly force.
Smith argued the case presents a classic jury question.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 27-5 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 27-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-11 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 37-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 29-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-19
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests when police may use deadly force against a fleeing driver. It also tests how courts apply qualified immunity defenses.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 27-5 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 27-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-11 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 37-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 31-43
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 4, 2014.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 23-25
What each side wants
Officers want the Court to affirm the lower court's qualified immunity ruling.
Driver wants the Court to reverse the lower court's qualified immunity ruling.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 27-5 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 27-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-11 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 37-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 31-43
What each side says
Officers argue the law was not clearly established against their use of force.
Driver argues the lower court failed to properly analyze the qualified immunity defense.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 27-5 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 27-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-11 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 37-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 31-43
What the justices asked
Justice Alito asked whether the rule applied was clearly established.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if any high-speed chase scenario would not justify lethal force.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 29-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-19
Why it matters
This dispute defines the limits of police force during vehicle pursuits. It determines when officers face personal liability for shooting fleeing drivers. The outcome shapes future police tactics and civil rights protections.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 27-5 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 27-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-11 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 37-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 31-43
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 10, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 29-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-19
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 27-5 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 27-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-11 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 37-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 27-5 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 27-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-11 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 37-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 31-43
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.