October Term 2025 · Docket 23-1197
Can prisoners sue state officials for RLUIPA violations?
The dispute centers on whether RLUIPA allows individual damages suits against state officials.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — 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 prisoner's counsel argued RLUIPA mirrors RFRA in authorizing damages.
The state's counsel argued the statute lacks clear notice for individual suits.
justice_question_contexts
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 14-18 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 14-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-8 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 52-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 48-52 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 48-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 10-22 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 10-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 46-56 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 46-56
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 22-28 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 22-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 54-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 54-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 48-52 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 48-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 28-34 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 28-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 38-14 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 38-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 20-32 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 20-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 56-12 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 56-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 36-42 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 36-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-52 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 50-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 56-8 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 56-8
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
A prisoner claims state officials violated his religious rights. He seeks damages under RLUIPA. The state argues the law does not allow such suits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-46
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 10, 2025.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 14-18 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 14-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 54-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 54-34
What each side wants
The prisoner wants to recover damages for the alleged violation.
The state wants the Court to bar individual damages suits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-46
What each side says
The prisoner argues RLUIPA clearly authorizes individual damages suits.
The state argues RLUIPA does not clearly create such a cause of action.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-46
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked about the scope of the Salinas precedent.
Justice Thomas asked for examples of viable damages claims under the Spending Power.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 14-18 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 14-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-8 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 52-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 48-52 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 48-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 10-22 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 10-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 46-56 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 46-56
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 22-28 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 22-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 54-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 54-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 48-52 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 48-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 28-34 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 28-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 38-14 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 38-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 20-32 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 20-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 56-12 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 56-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 36-42 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 36-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-52 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 50-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 56-8 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 56-8
Why it matters
The decision determines if prisoners can sue state officials for religious rights violations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-46
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 24-28 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 14-18 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 14-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-8 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 52-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 48-52 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 48-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 10-22 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 10-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 46-56 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 46-56
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 22-28 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 22-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 54-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 54-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 48-52 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 48-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 28-34 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 28-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 38-14 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 38-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 20-32 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 20-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-44 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 40-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 56-12 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 56-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 36-42 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 36-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-52 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 50-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 56-8 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 56-8
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
- Official Court disposition document (date not established)
- Official Court disposition document (date not established)
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 36-46
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.