{"argument_date":"2013-04-23T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-04-23T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","paragraphs":["Texas counsel stated Oklahoma agreed to let Texas use water in Oklahoma.","Oklahoma counsel argued the lower court correctly allowed Oklahoma to block Texas access.","Justice Breyer questioned the mechanism for a state to take water from another state.","Justice Sotomayor questioned how a non-bordering state would access water in Oklahoma."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 5-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 25-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-5"}]}],"caption":"Tarrant Regional Water Dist. v. Herrmann","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.401448Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.411448Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Texas water users seek access to water located in Oklahoma. Oklahoma argues it can deny that access entirely.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 5-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 25-15"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-04-23T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/11-889.html","primary_docket":"11-889","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:46:39.681635Z","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 Red River Compact grants Texas rights to use specific water in Oklahoma. Oklahoma claims it can block that use. Texas claims the Compact forces Oklahoma to allow it."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 5-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 25-15"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 23, 2013."],"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/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 25-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Texas wants the Court to enforce the Compact and allow its users to use water in Oklahoma.","Oklahoma wants the Court to uphold its right to deny Texas users access to that water."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 5-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 25-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Texas argues Oklahoma agreed to let Texas use a specified quantity of water in Oklahoma.","Oklahoma argues it can categorically foreclose Texas users from accessing water in its subbasin."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 5-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 25-15"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked if a state can take water from another state without a mechanism.","Justice Sotomayor asked how Louisiana would take water from Oklahoma if it shares no border."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-5"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines how states share water across borders. It determines whether a state can unilaterally block another state's compact rights. The outcome shapes interstate water management and resource allocation."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 5-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 25-15"}]},{"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 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 25-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-5"}]}],"slug":"2012-11-889-tarrant-regional-water-dist-v-herrmann","term":"2012","title":"Can Oklahoma block Texas from using water in Oklahoma under the Red River Compact?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 5-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-889_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 25-15"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}