{"argument_date":"2006-10-03T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2006-10-03T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2006","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case's counsel argued the instruction restricts mitigation to pre-crime facts.","the opposing side's counsel argued the case does not turn on factor (k) alone.","Justice Stevens questioned the distinction between pre-crime and post-crime evidence.","Justice Kennedy asked if the instruction mandates a single moral determination."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 41-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 41-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-47"}]}],"caption":"Ayers v. Belmontes","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:28.293572Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:28.301206Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the side that brought the case argues the instruction limits mitigation to pre-crime facts. the opposing side claims it allows full moral consideration.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-22"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2006-10-03T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2006","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/05-493.html","primary_docket":"05-493","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T13:20:18.348201Z","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":["The dispute centers on California's penalty-phase instruction. the side that brought the case claims it restricts jurors to pre-crime facts. the opposing side argues it permits broad moral judgment."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-22"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 3, 2006."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 41-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 41-4"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case seeks a ruling that the instruction unconstitutionally limits mitigation evidence.","the opposing side seeks a ruling that the instruction allows full consideration of all relevant facts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-22"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the instruction excludes post-crime mitigating evidence from jury consideration.","the opposing side argues the instruction supports a single moral determination of all circumstances."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-22"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Stevens asked if the instruction distinguishes pre-crime and post-crime facts.","Justice Kennedy asked if the instruction requires a single moral determination."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 41-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 41-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-47"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the scope of mitigating evidence in capital sentencing. It determines whether jurors weigh post-crime conduct. It shapes the constitutional limits of state penalty instructions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-22"}]},{"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 10, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 41-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 41-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-47"}]}],"slug":"2006-05-493-ayers-v-belmontes","term":"2006","title":"Does California's catchall instruction bar jurors from weighing post-crime evidence?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2006/05-493.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 5-22"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}