Editor's Note :

On Tuesday, May 28, at 9:30 a.m. we expect orders from the May 23 Conference. We expect opinions in argued cases at 10 a.m. We will begin live blogging shortly before 9:30.

Howes v. Fields

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
10-680 6th Cir. Oct 4, 2011
Tr.Aud. 		Feb 21, 2012 6-3 Alito OT 2011
 

Holding: The Sixth Circuit’s categorical rule – that an interrogation is per se custodial, for purposes of Miranda v. Arizona, when a prisoner is questioned in private about events occurring outside the prison – is not clearly established by Supreme Court precedent. And by a vote of six to three, the Court held that the Sixth Circuit’s rule is also wrong.

Judgment: Reversed, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Alito on February 21, 2012. Justice Ginsburg filed an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part, which Justices Breyer and Sotomayor joined.

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Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs for the Petitioner

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent

 

Certiorari-stage documents