{"argument_date":"2011-02-23T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2011-02-23T00:00:00Z","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/2010/09-10245.pdf","paragraphs":["Heft argued the sentence relied on a lowered guideline.","Gannon argued the sentence relied on the binding plea deal.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 25-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-23"}]}],"caption":"Freeman v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.039406Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Freeman argues his sentence rests on a plea deal. The government says it rests on sentencing guidelines.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 25-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2011-02-23T00:00:00Z","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/09-10245.html","primary_docket":"09-10245","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T00:13:40.110514Z","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":["Freeman seeks retroactive relief for a lowered crack guideline. The government opposes this claim."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 25-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 23, 2011."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Freeman wants the court to grant retroactive relief.","The government wants the court to deny retroactive relief."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 25-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Freft argues the sentence rests on the plea agreement.","The government argues the sentence rests on the guidelines."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 25-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Roberts asked if the judgment relies on all statutory factors.","Alito asked which factor is more fundamental to the sentence."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-23"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the source of a criminal sentence. It determines eligibility for retroactive guideline changes. It affects thousands of defendants with binding plea deals."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 25-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"}]},{"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 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-23"}]}],"slug":"2010-09-10245-freeman-v-united-states","term":"2010","title":"Does a binding plea agreement make a sentence based on the agreement?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 25-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-10245.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-33"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}