{"argument_date":"2010-10-06T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-10-06T00:00:00Z","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/2010/09-571.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Duncan argued the lower court should dismiss the claim. He stated one error does not show a pattern of violations.","Justice Sotomayor questioned if one incident proves a lack of training. She noted that rookie prosecutors often lack experience in specific legal areas.","Justice Ginsburg suggested the case does not fit a single rookie error. She implied the situation involves broader systemic issues."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 29-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 49-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 49-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 21-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-7"}]}],"caption":"Connick v. Thompson","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.449164Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.468191Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"A district attorney's office faces liability for one wrongful conviction. The office argues one error does not prove systemic training failure.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-37"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-10-06T00:00:00Z","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/09-571.html","primary_docket":"09-571","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T21:02:47.553028Z","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 when a single legal error proves a prosecutor's office failed to train its staff. The office argues one mistake does not show a pattern of neglect. The victim argues one error proves the office ignored known risks."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-37"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 6, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 39-41"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The office wants the court to dismiss the training claim. It argues one error does not prove a pattern of neglect.","The victim wants the court to keep the liability finding. It argues one error proves the office ignored known risks."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-37"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The office argues one incident does not show a pattern of violations. It claims the law requires repeated errors for liability.","The victim argues one incident is enough if the risk is obvious. It claims the office knew training was necessary."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-37"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if rookie prosecutors need specific training on legal duties. She questioned if one incident proves a lack of training.","Justice Ginsburg asked if the situation fits a single rookie error. She questioned if the case fits a narrow legal category."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 29-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 49-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 49-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 21-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-7"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines when a single legal error proves systemic neglect. It sets the standard for holding government offices accountable for staff training failures."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-37"}]},{"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 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 29-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 49-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 49-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 21-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-7"}]}],"slug":"2010-09-571-connick-v-thompson","term":"2010","title":"When does one mistake prove a prosecutor office failed to train staff?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 41-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-571.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-37"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}