{"argument_date":"2012-04-17T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2012-04-17T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case claim the new law implies immediate application to all pending cases.","The government asserts the statute requires an express statement for retroactive changes.","Justices questioned the relevance of the Dictionary Act to this interpretation."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 49-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 3-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-3"}]}],"caption":"Dorsey v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.188920Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek new sentencing rules. The government demands strict statutory adherence.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 49-21"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2012-04-17T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/11-5683.html","primary_docket":"11-5683","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T22:59:38.646931Z","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 Fair Sentencing Act changed drug sentencing laws. the sides that brought the case argue these changes apply to pending cases. The government argues the law requires explicit text for such changes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 49-21"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 17, 2012."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the new sentencing rules to apply to their pending cases.","The government wants the old sentencing rules to remain in effect."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 49-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the new law implies Congress intended immediate application.","The government argues the statute requires an express statement for retroactive changes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 49-21"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if the argument relies on a specific footnote.","Chief Justice Roberts asked why Congress should not follow its own statutory standards."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 3-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-3"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute determines whether new sentencing laws apply to pending cases. It affects how courts interpret legislative intent for retroactive changes. It shapes the balance between statutory text and implied intent."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 49-21"}]},{"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 4, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 3-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-3"}]}],"slug":"2011-11-5683-dorsey-v-united-states","term":"2011","title":"Does the Fair Sentencing Act apply to pending cases?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 49-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-5683.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 49-21"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}