{"argument_date":"2010-02-24T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-02-24T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2009","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Miller argued the lower court erred in requiring a new trial. He said the standard was too broad. Mr. Fahringer argued some errors are so basic they require an automatic new trial. He cited trying a person for conduct that violated no law.","questions_asked_by_justices","advocates_presented_arguments"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 51-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 41-45"}]}],"caption":"United States v. Marcus","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.689275Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a jury verdict based partly on pre-law conduct requires an automatic new trial.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-41"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-02-24T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2009","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/08-1341.html","primary_docket":"08-1341","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T21:07:40.524196Z","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":["This case involves a criminal conviction. The lower court found a constitutional error. The parties disagree on the remedy."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-41"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 24, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The government wants the Court to reject the automatic new trial rule.","The defendant wants the Court to keep the automatic new trial rule."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-41"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The government argues the lower court applied the wrong legal standard.","The defendant argues the constitutional error demands an automatic new trial."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-41"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if the government wants a remand for a new trial.","Justice Stevens asked if the type of violation changes the analysis under Rule 52(b). The rule governs how courts review errors. Justice Ginsburg asked about the effort involved in creating the website before the law passed. Justice Scalia asked if some constitutional violations undermine confidence more than others."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 51-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 41-45"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines when a constitutional error forces a new trial. It affects how courts handle jury verdicts based on pre-law conduct. It shapes the balance between finality and constitutional rights."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-41"}]},{"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 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 51-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 41-45"}]}],"slug":"2009-08-1341-united-states-v-marcus","term":"2009","title":"Does a constitutional error force an automatic new trial?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1341.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-41"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}