{"argument_date":"2017-10-30T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-10-30T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","paragraphs":["Ayestas's lawyer argued the law entitles indigent inmates to reasonably necessary services.","The lawyer defined necessary services as those a reasonable attorney would use.","The lawyer noted the original mitigation presentation lasted only two minutes.","The state's lawyer argued the claim lacks jurisdiction under federal law."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 53-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 25-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 53-9"}]}],"caption":"Manuel Ayestas v. Davis","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.309050Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.340459Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"A death row inmate seeks federal funds to hire experts. The state argues the law caps these costs.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 25-15"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-10-30T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/16-6795.html","primary_docket":"16-6795","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:31:08.767014Z","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":["Manuel Ayestas faces execution in Texas. He wants federal money to hire experts. The state denies this request. The case tests the scope of federal funding laws."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 25-15"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 30, 2017."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 17-19"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Ayestas wants the Court to order the state to pay for his requested experts.","The state wants the Court to uphold the lower court's denial of funds."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 25-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Ayestas argues the law requires funding for services a reasonable attorney would need.","The state argues the law limits funding to reasonable and necessary expenses only."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 25-15"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked if a court can deny funds for an investigation.","Chief Justice Roberts asked why a reasonable attorney would spend money on barred evidence."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 53-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 53-9"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the financial resources available to death row inmates. It determines whether federal courts must fund extensive expert investigations. The outcome shapes the practical ability of defendants to challenge their sentences."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 25-15"}]},{"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 4, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 53-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 53-9"}]}],"slug":"2017-16-6795-manuel-ayestas-v-davis","term":"2017","title":"Does federal law require courts to fund unlimited expert costs for death penalty appeals?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-6795_1o13.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 25-15"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}