October Term 2021 · Docket 21-499
Can a police officer face a civil lawsuit for failing to read Miranda rights?
The dispute centers on whether a Miranda rights violation creates a direct civil liability claim under federal law.
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 argued Miranda is a judicially crafted prophylactic rule. He stated violating it does not breach constitutional rights.
the opposing side argued the officer elicited an unwarned statement. He claimed the lower court correctly allowed the civil suit.
chief_justice_roberts_asked_if_the_right_is_secured_by_the_constitution_or_rules_of_evidence.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 55-29 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 55-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 19-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 55-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-53
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests if a Miranda violation is a standalone constitutional breach. It determines if officers face personal civil liability for skipping warnings.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-45
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 20, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-47
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the Court to reverse the lower court decision. He seeks a rule that Miranda violations never create civil liability.
the opposing side wants the Court to affirm the lower court decision. He seeks to keep the civil lawsuit alive for the officer.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-45
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues Miranda is a trial rule, not a substantive right. He claims violating it does not breach the Constitution.
the opposing side argues the officer’s conduct violated the Constitution. He claims the lower court correctly allowed the civil claim.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-45
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked how a rule can be both prophylactic and constitutional.
Justice Kagan asked how the side that brought the case relies on a plurality opinion after Dickerson.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 55-29 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 55-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 19-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 55-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-53
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of civil liability for police officers. It determines whether citizens can sue officers personally for skipping Miranda warnings. The outcome shapes the balance between police accountability and operational freedom.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-45
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 35-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 55-29 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 55-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 19-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 55-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-53
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 38, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-45
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.