{"argument_date":"2009-03-03T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2009-03-03T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argued a fair trial requires avoiding probable bias.","the opposing side argued the Constitution does not mandate recusal here.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 45-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 45-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 47-7"}]}],"caption":"Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:26.584631Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"A coal company argues a judge must step aside after a donor helped elect him. The judge argues the Constitution only bans actual bias.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 45-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 45-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-29"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2009-03-03T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/08-22.html","primary_docket":"08-22","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T02:28:34.607962Z","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 case tests whether the Due Process Clause requires judicial recusal when a campaign donor is a party to the case. The dispute centers on the standard for proving potential bias."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 45-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 45-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-29"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 3, 2009."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The company wants the judge removed from the case.","The judge wants to keep the case on his docket."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 45-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 45-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-29"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The company argues the probability of bias violates due process.","The judge argues only actual bias requires recusal."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 45-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 45-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-29"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia questioned the definition of gratitude in politics.","Chief Justice Roberts asked about trade group donations."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 47-7"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the limits of judicial independence. It determines when campaign finance creates a constitutional conflict. The outcome shapes future judicial elections and campaign contributions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 45-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 45-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-29"}]},{"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 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 47-7"}]}],"slug":"2008-08-22-caperton-v-a-t-massey-coal-co","term":"2008","title":"Does a judge's election campaign donor require recusal?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 45-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 45-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-22.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-29"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}