{"argument_date":"2017-02-28T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-02-28T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argued judges need discretion to impose just sentences.","The government argued the statute mandates a specific consecutive term.","Justice Sotomayor questioned if a one-day sentence satisfies the law.","Justice Kagan questioned if a one-day sentence defeats the mandate."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 46-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 46-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 50-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 50-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 10-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 32-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 4-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 16-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 24-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 10-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 10-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 42-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 42-42"}]}],"caption":"Dean v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.822412Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a judge can lower a mandatory 30-year sentence to one day.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 46-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 46-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-46"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-02-28T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/15-9260.html","primary_docket":"15-9260","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:44:00.775896Z","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 case involves a defendant who received a mandatory 30-year sentence. He argues the judge should have discretion to reduce it. The government argues the statute requires the full term."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 46-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 46-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-46"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 28, 2017."],"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/2016/15-9260_bq7c.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 allow judges to reduce mandatory sentences.","The government wants the Court to enforce the mandatory 30-year sentence."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 46-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 46-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-46"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues judges must have discretion to ensure just results.","The government argues Congress intended to remove judicial discretion for these crimes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 46-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 46-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-46"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if a one-day sentence negates Congress's purpose.","Justice Kagan asked if a one-day sentence defeats the statutory mandate."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 50-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 50-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 10-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 32-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 4-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 16-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 24-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 10-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 10-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 42-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 42-42"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines if judges can override mandatory minimum sentences. It affects the balance between legislative intent and judicial discretion. It impacts how courts handle mandatory sentencing statutes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 46-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 46-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-46"}]},{"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 50-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 50-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 10-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 32-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 4-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 16-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 24-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 32-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 10-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 10-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 42-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 42-42"}]}],"slug":"2016-15-9260-dean-v-united-states","term":"2016","title":"Can a judge reduce a mandatory 30-year sentence to one day?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 46-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 46-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-9260_bq7c.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-46"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}