October Term 2020 · Docket 20-18
Can police enter a home without a warrant during hot pursuit?
The dispute centers on whether a categorical hot pursuit rule allows warrantless home entries.
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
Jeffrey Fisher argues no precedent supports the categorical pursuit rule applied below.
Fisher states officers need a magistrate approval unless an emergency exists.
Ms. Rice argues the Fourth Amendment generally requires warrants for home entries.
Rice contends hot pursuit is a valid exception to the warrant requirement.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 45-15 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 45-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-19
- 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 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-55 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 13-19
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of the Fourth Amendment's warrant requirement during police chases.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 13-19
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 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 66, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 47-13
What each side wants
the side that brought the case seeks a case-specific exigency showing for every warrantless entry.
the opposing side seeks a categorical rule allowing entry during any hot pursuit.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 13-19
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues no precedent supports a categorical pursuit rule for home entries.
the opposing side argues hot pursuit is a recognized exception to the warrant requirement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 13-19
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asks how common law treats officers pursuing a breach of the peace.
Justice Breyer asks what the Court should do with conflicting common law cases.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 45-15 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 45-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-55 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-17
Why it matters
The outcome defines the boundary between police authority and private home security.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 13-19
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 55-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 45-15 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 45-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-55 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-17
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 114, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 13-19
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.