October Term 2024 · Docket 23-1239
Should courts weigh all events before a police officer uses deadly force?
The dispute centers on whether a court must consider the entire sequence of events or only the final moment of threat when judging police force.
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. Jacoby argued the Fifth Circuit ignored all prior events.
She stated reasonableness is assessed under the totality of circumstances.
Mr. Zelinsky stated Barnes was shot after a toll stop.
He argued the Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable seizures of persons.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-39 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 29-33
- 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 23-9 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-31
- 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 55-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 47-31
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Ashtian Barnes died after a traffic stop in Texas. His family argues the Fifth Circuit ignored prior events. The officer argues the final threat justified the force.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 47-31
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 22, 2025.
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 68, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 41-43
What each side wants
Barnes's family wants the Court to require a full review of all prior events.
The officer wants the Court to allow a review focused only on the final threat.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 47-31
What each side says
Barnes's side argues reasonableness requires assessing the totality of circumstances, including pre-force events.
The officer's side argues it is reasonable to use force to end an immediate threat to safety.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 47-31
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if the analysis should include the reason for the stop or just the jump.
Justice Alito asked if a narrow holding focusing on the moment of threat would suffice.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-39 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-15
Why it matters
This case defines how courts judge police use of force. It determines whether officers face liability based on the full context or only the final act. The outcome shapes the standard for evaluating deadly force in traffic stops.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 47-31
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 55-39 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-23
- 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 37-43 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-31
- 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 55-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-15
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 29, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 91, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 91, lines 47-31
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.