{"argument_date":"2010-03-30T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-03-30T00:00:00Z","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/2009/09-6338.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Freeland argued the district court felt bound by a policy statement.","She claimed this prevented application of the Booker decision.","The resulting sentence exceeded the jury verdict maximum by six years.","Ms. Kruger argued the relevant statutes do not govern initial sentencing."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 37-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-35"}]}],"caption":"Dillon v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.619536Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the side that brought the case seeks a lower sentence. The government argues the judge lacks authority.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 37-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-13"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-03-30T00:00:00Z","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/09-6338.html","primary_docket":"09-6338","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T01:17:09.374750Z","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 a judge can lower a sentence without a jury."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 37-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-13"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 30, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants a lower sentence based on new guidelines.","The government wants to keep the original sentence intact."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 37-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-13"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the judge must apply the new guidelines.","The government argues the judge lacks authority to reduce the sentence."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 37-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-13"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked if a problem exists with the current approach.","Justice Ginsburg asked about the impact on the Sentencing Commission's motives."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-35"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the scope of judicial power over existing sentences. It determines whether judges can modify sentences without jury involvement. The outcome shapes prison population management and sentencing consistency."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 37-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-13"}]},{"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 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-35"}]}],"slug":"2009-09-6338-dillon-v-united-states","term":"2009","title":"Does a judge need a jury to reduce a sentence?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 37-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 37-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/09-6338.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-13"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}