October Term 2022 · Docket 21-908
Does bankruptcy fraud discharge require personal intent?
The dispute centers on whether a debtor must personally intend fraud to lose discharge protection.
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
Ms. Harris argued bankruptcy law gives honest debtors a fresh start.
She stated exceptions must reflect intentional wrongs by the debtor.
Mr. Tripp argued the fraud exception does not require personal intent.
He stated the answer to the intent question is no.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-7
- 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 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 25-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 13-35 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 13-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 55-21 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 55-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-19
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of the bankruptcy fraud exception. It asks if a debtor's personal intent matters when state law already found fraud.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 23-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 6, 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 84, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 9-11
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the debt discharged because she lacked personal intent to defraud.
the opposing side wants the debt discharged denied because the debt stems from actual fraud.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 23-7
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the statute requires the debtor to personally commit the fraud.
the opposing side argues the statute bars discharge for any debt obtained by actual fraud.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 23-7
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if a partner's fraud benefits the individual debtor.
Justice Kavanaugh asked if state law fraud determinations remain intact under the code.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 25-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 13-35 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 13-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 55-21 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 55-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-19
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between honest debtors and fraudulent ones. It determines who keeps their fresh start in bankruptcy. It clarifies the role of personal intent in fraud exceptions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 23-7
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 11, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 49-15
- 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 27-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 25-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 13-35 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 13-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 55-21 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 55-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-19
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 39, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 23-7
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.