{"argument_date":"2013-11-05T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-11-05T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","paragraphs":["Sprint's counsel warned against broadening Younger abstention.","Windstream's counsel argued federal courts must retain jurisdiction.","justice_question"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 21-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 25-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 13-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 13-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-43"}]}],"caption":"Sprint Communications, Inc. v. Jacobs","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.362272Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Sprint argues federal courts must dismiss challenges to state agency orders. Windstream argues federal courts must hear these claims.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 13-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 13-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-11-05T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/12-815.html","primary_docket":"12-815","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:32:08.106019Z","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":["Sprint seeks dismissal of Windstream's federal lawsuit. Windstream seeks a federal court ruling on its claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 13-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 13-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 5, 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/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Sprint wants the federal court to dismiss the case.","Windstream wants the federal court to hear the case."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 13-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 13-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Sprint argues Younger abstention applies to state agency proceedings.","Windstream argues Younger abstention does not apply to these proceedings."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 13-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 13-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked how to define coercive proceedings.","Justice Kennedy asked if Burford abstention applies here."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 21-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 25-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-43"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines federal court access to state agency disputes. It shapes the balance between state and federal judicial power."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 13-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 13-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}]},{"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 41-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 41-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 21-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 25-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-43"}]}],"slug":"2013-12-815-sprint-communications-inc-v-jacobs","term":"2013","title":"Does Younger abstention bar federal review of state agency orders?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 13-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 13-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-815_o75p.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-11"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}