No. 25-1273October Term 2025Before Arguments
Stephen Joseph Johnson, Petitioner v. Montana
from the Supreme Court of Montana.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Accepted by the Court
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the Supreme Court of Montana.
Question presented
What is the appropriate standard for assessing whether the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment permits a prosecution witness to testify by two-way video?
- Case path
Supreme Court of Montana / Accepted by the Court
- Area
Supreme Court case awaiting argument
Timing
Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term
The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.
Briefing
What it's about
Stephen Joseph Johnson has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review what standard courts should use to decide whether a prosecution witness may testify by two-way video. The request comes from proceedings in Montana and focuses on the Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses.
Argument
No oral argument is scheduled. Johnson has filed a petition asking the justices to take up the Sixth Amendment question.
Impact
The answer could affect criminal trials where the state wants a witness to appear on a screen instead of in the courtroom. For example, it could shape whether a defendant questions a key accuser face to face or over live video.
What is Johnson v. Montana about?
It asks what standard courts should use to decide if a prosecution witness may testify by two-way video. The issue centers on the Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses.
Who could be affected if the Court takes Johnson v. Montana?
Criminal defendants, prosecutors, judges, and witnesses could all be affected. The answer may shape when live video can replace in-person testimony at trial.
What happens next in Johnson v. Montana?
The justices must decide whether to hear the case. No oral argument is scheduled yet, and no decision window is available.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 17, 2026
- Method
- Methodology