October Term 2021 · Docket 21-5592
Can Texas ban a non-state minister from laying hands on a condemned inmate?
Texas claims a non-state minister poses a security risk. The inmate claims this violates his religious rights.
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 inmate's counsel noted Texas allowed state chaplains to pray for decades.
The state's counsel argued outside ministers create unpredictable security risks.
Justice Kavanaugh questioned the equal treatment implications of state chaplains.
The state's counsel emphasized the need for near-zero risk during executions.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 104, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 104, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-53 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 39-11
- 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 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 39-29 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 39-29
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on whether Texas can exclude a specific religious minister from an execution chamber. The state cites security concerns. The inmate argues this restriction burdens his religious practice.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 104, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 104, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-17
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 9, 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 85, lines 39-29 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 39-29
What each side wants
The inmate wants permission for his chosen minister to lay hands on him during execution.
The state wants to keep non-state ministers out of the execution chamber to ensure safety.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 104, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 104, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-17
What each side says
The inmate argues Texas previously allowed similar religious acts, creating an equal treatment issue.
The state argues allowing outside ministers creates unacceptable security risks during lethal injection.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 104, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 104, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-17
What the justices asked
Justice Kavanaugh asked how the state minimizes risk while allowing religious presence.
Justice Thomas asked if the inmate always requested hand-laying during executions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-53 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-13
Why it matters
This case defines the balance between prison security and religious freedom. It determines if states can exclude specific religious practices during executions. The outcome affects how prisons manage religious accommodations for condemned inmates.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 104, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 104, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-17
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 47-53 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-53 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 39-29 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 39-29
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 104, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 104, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 104, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 104, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 25-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 25-17
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.