October Term 2020 · Docket 20-157
Can police enter a home without a warrant to check on a missing person?
The dispute centers on whether the Fourth Amendment allows warrantless home entries for community caretaking.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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 argues the Fourth Amendment protects the home from warrantless entry.
the opposing side argues caretaking duties justify immediate action without a warrant.
Justice Thomas questioned the specific text of the Fourth Amendment regarding wellness checks.
Chief Justice Roberts explored how community expectations might influence the caretaking analysis.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 19-39
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of the Fourth Amendment's home protection. It asks if police may enter a residence without a warrant to perform a welfare check.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 19-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 24, 2021.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-53
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants a rule that bans warrantless caretaking entries into homes.
the opposing side wants a rule that allows warrantless caretaking entries into homes.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 19-39
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the Fourth Amendment creates a firm line at the home door.
the opposing side argues caretaking duties sometimes require immediate entry without a warrant.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 19-39
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked where the Fourth Amendment text precludes a wellness check.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the community context changes the caretaking analysis.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-43
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between police caretaking and home privacy. It determines when officers may enter homes without judicial approval. The outcome shapes future welfare checks and emergency responses.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 19-39
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 23-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-43
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 19-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 19-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.