{"argument_date":"2010-11-02T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-11-02T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2010","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Ho argued the phrase appropriate relief is ambiguous. He stated this ambiguity should end the legal inquiry.","Justice Scalia questioned the clarity of the statute. He noted states need clear notice of their liability.","Justice Ginsburg asked about the prison setting. She questioned whether damages are practically available in that context.","Justice Sotomayor asked if the statute includes punitive damages. She sought clarification on the type of relief available."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"}]}],"caption":"Sossamon v. Texas","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.370760Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether federal law permits individuals to sue states for money damages.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 13-13"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-11-02T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2010","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/08-1438.html","primary_docket":"08-1438","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T00:57:20.468408Z","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 tests the scope of a federal statute. The phrase appropriate relief creates ambiguity. Courts must decide if this wording waives state sovereign immunity. The outcome defines the boundary of state liability under federal law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 13-13"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 2, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-11"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The plaintiff side wants a broad reading of the statute. They seek to allow private damages suits against states.","The state side wants a narrow reading of the statute. They seek to preserve sovereign immunity from damages."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 13-13"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The plaintiff argues the phrase appropriate relief is ambiguous. They contend this ambiguity ends the inquiry into state liability.","The state argues the statute lacks clear waiver language. They contend states must know their liability before joining the scheme."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 13-13"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if damages are impossible in prison settings. She questioned the practical relevance of the legal theory.","Justice Scalia asked if the statute clearly defines state liability. He noted the word appropriate relief lacks clarity compared to other cases."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the financial exposure of state governments. It determines whether federal statutes can waive sovereign immunity. The ruling sets a precedent for all future state liability claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 13-13"}]},{"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 41-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"}]}],"slug":"2010-08-1438-sossamon-v-texas","term":"2010","title":"Does the phrase appropriate relief allow private damages suits against states?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1438.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 13-13"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}