October Term 2015 · Docket 14-1468
Can states criminally punish drivers for refusing blood tests?
Drivers argue criminal penalties for refusing blood tests violate the Fourth Amendment. States argue road use implies consent to testing.
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
Charles Rothfeld argued the statutes make asserting a right a crime.
Michael McCarthy argued the state statute creates a bargain with drivers.
Keena argued rural realities make search warrants impractical in these situations.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 34-40 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 34-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 4-26 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 4-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 20-44 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 20-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 46-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 28-42 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 28-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 44-24 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 44-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 50-14 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 50-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 40-42 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 40-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 24-26 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 24-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 48-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 48-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 14-18 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 14-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 4-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 40-42 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 40-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 48-6 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 48-6
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether states can impose criminal penalties when drivers refuse blood alcohol tests. the sides that brought the case claim this violates their constitutional rights. the opposing sides claim road use creates implied consent to testing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 4-26 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 4-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 20-44 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 20-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 46-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-38
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 20, 2016.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 40-42 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 40-42
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to strike down criminal penalties for refusing blood tests.
the opposing sides want the Court to uphold state laws that criminalize refusal of blood tests.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 4-26 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 4-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 20-44 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 20-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 46-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-38
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue criminalizing refusal punishes the exercise of a constitutional right.
the opposing sides argue using public roads implies consent to blood alcohol testing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 4-26 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 4-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 20-44 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 20-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 46-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-38
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked what constitutional basis supports the right to drive.
Justice Kennedy asked why states cannot impose criminal sanctions if civil ones are allowed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 34-40 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 34-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 28-42 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 28-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 44-24 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 44-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 50-14 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 50-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 40-42 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 40-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 24-26 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 24-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 48-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 48-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 14-18 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 14-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 4-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 48-6 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 48-6
Why it matters
The outcome defines the scope of state power to compel bodily searches. It determines whether drivers face criminal charges for refusing blood tests. This affects public safety enforcement and individual privacy rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 4-26 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 4-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 20-44 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 20-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 46-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-38
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 40-50 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 34-40 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 34-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 28-42 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 28-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 44-24 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 44-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 50-14 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 50-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 40-42 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 40-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 24-26 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 24-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 48-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 48-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 14-18 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 14-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 4-10 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 4-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 40-42 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 40-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 48-6 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 48-6
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 36, lines 4-26 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 4-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 20-44 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 20-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 46-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 4-26 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 4-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 20-44 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 20-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 46-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-38
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.