{"argument_date":"2010-10-12T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-10-12T00:00:00Z","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/2010/09-587.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Colombo argued the state court denial deserves deference.","Mr. Gardner addressed the application of AEDPA in this case.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 39-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 47-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 47-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-13"}]}],"caption":"Harrington v. Richter","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.908719Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.911915Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the side that brought the case seeks federal habeas relief. the opposing side argues the state court already decided the claim on the merits.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 39-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 29-33"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-10-12T00:00:00Z","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/09-587.html","primary_docket":"09-587","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T01:02:31.548489Z","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 how federal courts review state court denials. The core issue is whether a brief order counts as a merits decision."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 39-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 29-33"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 12, 2010."],"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/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 21-27"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the federal court to grant habeas relief.","the opposing side wants the federal court to deny habeas relief."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 39-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 29-33"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the state court did not decide the claim on the merits.","the opposing side argues the state court decision deserves deferential review."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 39-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 29-33"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked how to interpret a one-line denial order.","Justice Ginsburg asked if the state court reached the specific question."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 47-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 47-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the standard for federal review of state court orders. It clarifies when a brief denial counts as a merits decision. This affects the scope of federal habeas review."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 39-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 29-33"}]},{"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/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 47-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 47-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-13"}]}],"slug":"2010-09-587-harrington-v-richter","term":"2010","title":"Does a one-line state court denial count as a merits decision?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 39-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-587.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 29-33"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}