Heien v. North Carolina (2014)

Heien v. North Carolina was a SCOTUS in the Classroom case. It was decided on December 15, 2014.

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: 

If a police officer makes a traffic stop because of a mistaken interpretation of the law, is that stop unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment?

Case Briefs:

• Brief of Petitioner: Heien
• Brief of Respondent: North Carolina
• Amici: Both the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Rutherford Institute filed amicus briefs in this case. These groups’ briefs are available on SCOTUSblog’s case page.

Oral Argument:

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

Decision:

• Link to the opinion of the Court

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

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