October Term 2014 · Docket 13-517
Can a juror's dishonesty about personal experience trigger a new trial?
The dispute centers on whether a juror's false statement about their ability to judge damages fairly requires a new trial.
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. Harrington stated that any new trial hearing tests verdict validity.
Mr. Shanmugam cited McDonough v. Greenwood to support his position.
Ms. Birnbaum argued that Rule 606 language is clear and limiting.
Justice Alito asked if receiving such testimony would be permissible.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-47
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the scope of Rule 606. This rule limits evidence used to challenge a verdict. the side that brought the case argues dishonesty at voir dire always warrants a new trial. the opposing side argues the rule bars such evidence unless it affects the verdict.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 27-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 8, 2014.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants a new trial based on the juror's dishonesty.
the opposing side wants the jury's verdict to stand.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 27-7
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues dishonesty at voir dire always requires a new trial.
the opposing side argues Rule 606 bars evidence of juror statements.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 27-7
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the inquiry into juror statements is too broad.
Justice Ginsburg asked if any jury room comment reflects on voir dire.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-47
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of challenging jury verdicts. It determines when juror statements can overturn a trial. The outcome affects the finality of civil judgments. It shapes how courts handle juror credibility issues.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 27-7
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 11, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-47
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 23, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 27-7
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.