{"argument_date":"2015-11-03T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2015-11-03T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case contends the statute reserves severe punishment for specific federal offenses.","The government argues the statute picks up definitions from federal provisions to cover state crimes.","Justice Kennedy noted Congress used similar statutory styles in later laws, favoring the government's view.","Justice Kagan asked if Congress intended to capture every conceivable state statute involving minors."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 10-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 18-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 18-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 52-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 52-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 44-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 44-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 22-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 22-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 8-10"}]}],"caption":"Lockhart v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:22.811466Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a specific federal statute requires a ten-year minimum sentence for defendants with prior state convictions involving minors.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 52-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 52-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-42"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2015-11-03T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/14-8358.html","primary_docket":"14-8358","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T19:19:33.595366Z","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 a federal sentencing statute. The core issue is whether the law covers prior state offenses involving minors or only specific federal crimes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 52-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 52-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-42"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 3, 2015."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the mandatory minimum sentence removed from their case.","The government wants the mandatory minimum sentence to remain in effect."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 52-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 52-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-42"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the statute only covers specific federal offenses, not all state crimes involving minors.","The government argues the statute broadly covers any state offense relating to sexual abuse of a minor."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 52-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 52-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-42"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if the mandatory minimum applies to a federal conviction for abusing an adult.","Justice Alito questioned the grammatical structure of the statutory list and its redundancy."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 10-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 18-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 18-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 44-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 44-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 22-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 22-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 8-10"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the scope of federal sentencing laws. It determines which prior state convictions trigger severe federal penalties. The outcome affects how judges apply mandatory minimums to similar cases."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 52-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 52-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-42"}]},{"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 10-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 10-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 8-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 8-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 18-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 18-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 44-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 44-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 22-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 22-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 8-10"}]}],"slug":"2015-14-8358-lockhart-v-united-states","term":"2015","title":"Does a prior state conviction for abusing a minor trigger a federal mandatory minimum sentence?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 52-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 52-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-8358_i3kn.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-42"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}