{"argument_date":"2016-02-29T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2016-02-29T00:00:00Z","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/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case claims due process bars a prosecutor from judging their own prior decisions.","The state contends general supervisory responsibility does not create a constitutional conflict.","Justice Alito questioned whether signing an indictment alone creates a conflict of interest.","Justice Kagan asked if a pro forma signature is insufficient to require recusal."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 42-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 42-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 32-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 36-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 14-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 28-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 16-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 22-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 48-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-26"}]}],"caption":"Williams v. Pennsylvania","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:22.511825Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether due process bars a former prosecutor from judging a capital case they previously handled.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 32-32"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2016-02-29T00:00:00Z","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/15-5040.html","primary_docket":"15-5040","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T19:05:02.049444Z","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":["Williams v. Pennsylvania asks if a judge must step aside after serving as the prosecutor in the same death penalty case."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 32-32"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 29, 2016."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the court to reverse the conviction and order a new trial.","The state wants the court to affirm the conviction and uphold the original judgment."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 32-32"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues due process forbids a prosecutor from judging their own prior decisions.","The state argues a judge's general supervisory role does not create a constitutional conflict."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 32-32"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked if signing an indictment alone creates a conflict of interest.","Justice Kagan asked if a pro forma signature is insufficient to require recusal."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 42-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 42-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 36-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 14-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 28-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 16-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 22-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 48-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-26"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the limits of judicial impartiality in capital punishment. It determines whether prior prosecutorial involvement automatically disqualifies a judge. The outcome shapes fair trial standards for all criminal defendants."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 32-32"}]},{"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 3, lines 42-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 42-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 36-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 14-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 28-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 16-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 22-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 48-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-26"}]}],"slug":"2015-15-5040-williams-v-pennsylvania","term":"2015","title":"Does a prosecutor's prior role require recusal from a death penalty appeal?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 26-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-5040_qol1.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 32-32"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}