{"argument_date":"2005-03-28T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2005-03-28T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2004","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","paragraphs":["Medellin's counsel argued the case is exceptionally important. He requested the Court hold the case. He wanted to return to Texas first.","Texas counsel argued the Court should avoid international law issues. He said the case involves state law. He emphasized the need for clarity on private rights.","Justice Rehnquist asked about creating a private right of action. He noted this is not typically covered by the Court.","Justice O'Connor suggested the Court might dismiss the case. She questioned the necessity of analyzing enforceability."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 46, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 3-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 20-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 39-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-59","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-59"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-21"}]}],"caption":"Medellin v. Dretke","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:29.484910Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:29.517084Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Jose Medellin seeks to enforce an International Court of Justice judgment. Texas officials argue the judgment lacks domestic legal force.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 46, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 3-18"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2005-03-28T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2004","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/04-5928.html","primary_docket":"04-5928","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T14:41:05.515844Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["Jose Medellin asks the Court to enforce an ICJ judgment. He claims the judgment grants him individual rights. Texas officials argue the judgment does not create private rights. They say the case belongs in state courts. The dispute centers on the legal effect of international judgments."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 46, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 3-18"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 28, 2005."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 20-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Medellin wants the Court to enforce the ICJ judgment. He seeks a private right of action in U.S. courts.","Texas officials want the Court to dismiss the case. They argue the ICJ judgment creates no private rights."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 46, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 3-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Medellin argues the ICJ judgment grants him individual rights. He claims this creates a federal habeas claim.","Texas officials argue the ICJ judgment does not create private rights. They say the case involves state law issues."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 46, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 3-18"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice O'Connor asked if the Court should dismiss the case. She questioned the need to analyze enforceability.","Justice Ginsburg asked if ICJ judgments typically grant individual rights. She noted this is unusual for such judgments."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 20-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 39-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-59","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-59"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-21"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the legal force of international judgments. It determines whether individuals can enforce ICJ rulings in U.S. courts. The outcome shapes the relationship between international law and domestic law. It affects how states handle international court decisions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 46, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 3-18"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 20-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 39-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-59","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-59"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-21"}]}],"slug":"2004-04-5928-medellin-v-dretke","term":"2004","title":"Does an ICJ judgment create a private right of action in U.S. courts?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 46, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/04-5928.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 3-18"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}