Carpenter v. United States (2018)

Carpenter v. United States was a SCOTUS in the Classroom case. It was decided on June 22, 2018.

Each term Street Law selects the most classroom-relevant, student-friendly cases as our SCOTUS in the Classroom cases. Teachers are encouraged to conduct moot courts the same week the case is argued, giving students the opportunity to follow discussion and analysis in the news and listen to or read a transcript of the actual oral arguments.

Case Issue:

Did the government need to get a warrant before gathering location data about Carpenter’s cellphone from his wireless company?

Case Briefs:

• Brief of Petitioner: Timothy Carpenter
• Brief of Respondent: United States
• Amici: available on the SCOTUSblog case page

Oral Argument:

• Audio recording and transcript of the oral argument from the Supreme Court

Decision:

• Link to the opinion of the Court

News Articles and Resources:

• SCOTUSblog: The justices return to cellphones and the Fourth Amendment: In Plain English
• Video: Debate on ‘Carpenter v. United States,’ the Fourth Amendment cell-site case

How to Conduct a Moot Court or a Mini-Moot Court:

• Classroom Guide to Moot Courts
• Mini-Moot Courts Resource Bundle and Video