{"argument_date":"2010-04-27T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-04-27T00:00:00Z","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/2009/09-475.pdf","paragraphs":["Monsanto claims the lower court erred in two ways.","Opponents claim the planting lacks legal authorization.","chief_justice_roberts_asked_why_the_agency_did_not_act","justice_ginsburg_asked_if_the_planting_lacks_authorization"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 39-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-45"}]}],"caption":"Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.529159Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Monsanto seeks to plant a new alfalfa crop. Opponents want a court to stop that planting.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 39-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-04-27T00:00:00Z","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/09-475.html","primary_docket":"09-475","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T21:03:13.600252Z","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":["Monsanto wants to plant a genetically engineered alfalfa crop. Opponents want a court to stop that planting."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 39-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 27, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Monsanto wants to plant the crop now.","Opponents want the planting to stay stopped."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 39-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Monsanto argues the lower court acted wrongly.","Opponents argue the planting lacks legal approval."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 39-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked why the agency did not act.","Justice Ginsburg asked if the planting lacks authorization."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-45"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["Farmers need clear rules for planting new crops. Courts must balance speed and safety."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 39-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"}]},{"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 47-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-45"}]}],"slug":"2009-09-475-monsanto-co-v-geertson-seed-farms","term":"2009","title":"Can a court block a crop while an agency reviews it?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 39-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 23-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-475.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}