{"argument_date":"2013-04-24T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-04-24T00:00:00Z","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/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Bursch argued for AEDPA deference.","Mr. Mogill argued against the state court interpretation.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 51-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 31-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-13"}]}],"caption":"Metrish v. Lancaster","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.405388Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek federal habeas relief. the opposing sides defend the state court judgment.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-27"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-04-24T00:00:00Z","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/12-547.html","primary_docket":"12-547","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:46:07.278938Z","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 the scope of federal deference to state courts under AEDPA."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-27"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 24, 2013."],"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/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Supreme Court to reverse the Sixth Circuit decision.","the opposing sides want the Supreme Court to affirm the Sixth Circuit decision."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-27"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the state court decision was contrary to federal law.","the opposing sides argue the state court decision deserves AEDPA deference."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-27"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked about intermediate state appellate court decisions.","Justice Kennedy asked about the basis of a 1973 case."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 51-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 31-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the limits of federal habeas review. It shapes how federal courts treat state statutory interpretations. It affects the finality of state criminal judgments."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-27"}]},{"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 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 51-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 31-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-13"}]}],"slug":"2012-12-547-metrish-v-lancaster","term":"2012","title":"Does AEDPA deference apply when state courts interpret statutes differently?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-547_869d.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-27"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}