This educational guide is based on the linked primary sources. It is not a Court publication, is not affiliated with the Court, and is not legal advice.
In brief
Overview
Jimenez v. Quarterman was argued before the Supreme Court on the day of oral argument at 12:59 p.m.
The case file was formally submitted to the Court at 1:58 p.m. after oral argument.
According to Justice Scalia, he asked whether the appeal would be filed within one year, assuming that timeline.
According to Justice Ginsburg, the Court also considered whether the doctrine of laches could be raised by the Texas court on its own.
Background and question before the Court
The case was presented for oral argument before the Supreme Court at 12:59 p.m.
After argument, the case file was submitted at 1:58 p.m.
According to Justice Scalia, he asked whether the appeal would be filed within one year, assuming that timeline.
According to Justice Ginsburg, the Court also considered whether the doctrine of laches could be raised by the Texas court on its own.
What each side argues
Petitioner Position
Source-limited. The record does not yet support a complete account.
What happened at oral argument
According to Chief Justice Roberts, chief Justice Roberts announced that the Court would hear argument in Case 07‑6984, Jimenez v. Quarterman.
Justice Kennedy asked whether the Court needed to go beyond (A) to resolve the case.
Justice Ginsburg asked whether laches is something the Texas court could raise on its own or whether it is up to the State.
According to Justice Scalia, justice Scalia clarified that the question assumes the appeal would be filed within one year.
According to Justice Souter, justice Souter questioned why the State of Texas would act given the timing of the case.
Justice Breyer asked whether the petitioner’s appeal had been denied in the hypothetical scenario.
- [1] c7574938eb395e1f3c1d-r1-38567c9e646c0a91.pdf, p. 3
- [2] c7574938eb395e1f3c1d-r1-38567c9e646c0a91.pdf, p. 4
- [3] c7574938eb395e1f3c1d-r1-38567c9e646c0a91.pdf, p. 18
- [4] c7574938eb395e1f3c1d-r1-38567c9e646c0a91.pdf, p. 40
- [5] c7574938eb395e1f3c1d-r1-38567c9e646c0a91.pdf, p. 26
- [6] c7574938eb395e1f3c1d-r1-38567c9e646c0a91.pdf, p. 20
What the Court decided
Why it matters
Terms to know
No glossary terms are available for this guide.
Primary sources
Read the source materials on the official site or open the immutable repository copy used for this guide.
- c7574938eb395e1f3c1d-r1-38567c9e646c0a91.pdforal argument transcript
Guide generated September 22, 2026. Automated validation accepted this version.