{"argument_date":"2010-11-29T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-11-29T00:00:00Z","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/2010/09-996.pdf","paragraphs":["Todd Marshall argued Martin never explained his delay.","Todd Marshall said California's rule requires reasonable diligence.","Todd Bigelow argued state rules must be firmly established.","Todd Bigelow said this prevents states from ignoring federal rights."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 40-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 28-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 18-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 18-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 48-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 48-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 20-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 28-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 44-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 18-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 18-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 8-12"}]}],"caption":"Walker v. Martin","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.239090Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case argue California courts must explain why they dismiss federal claims. the opposing sides say courts can reject claims without stating a reason.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-38"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-11-29T00:00:00Z","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/09-996.html","primary_docket":"09-996","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T00:47:31.952779Z","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 whether state courts must provide a reason when they dismiss federal claims. the sides that brought the case seek a clear explanation to ensure fair review. the opposing sides want courts to keep discretion in how they handle these dismissals."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-38"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 29, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want state courts to state a reason when dismissing federal claims.","the opposing sides want state courts to dismiss claims without stating a reason."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-38"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue state courts must firmly establish and regularly follow their rules.","the opposing sides argue California's timeliness rule only requires reasonable diligence."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-38"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked how to know if a dismissal is for time bar reasons.","Justice Sotomayor asked how to know if a court avoids hard federal questions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 40-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 28-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 18-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 18-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 48-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 48-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 20-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 28-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 44-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 18-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 18-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 8-12"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute affects how state courts handle federal rights. It shapes the standard for reviewing state court decisions. It impacts the balance between state and federal authority."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-38"}]},{"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 40-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 40-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 28-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 18-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 18-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 48-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 48-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 20-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 28-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 44-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 18-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 18-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 8-12"}]}],"slug":"2010-09-996-walker-v-martin","term":"2010","title":"Does a state court need to state a reason when rejecting a federal claim?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/09-996.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-38"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}