{"argument_date":"2019-12-11T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2019-12-11T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2019","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","paragraphs":["Katyal argued McKinney never had a compliant sentencing.","Skinner argued one path resolves the case regardless of outcome.","Kavanaugh questioned why adding an invalid factor differs from excluding a valid one."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 12-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 12-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 42-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 42-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 50-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 50-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 38-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 38-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 28-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 28-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 12-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 12-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 24-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 50-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 50-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 46-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 46-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 50-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 44-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 44-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 50-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 8-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 8-38"}]}],"caption":"McKinney v. Arizona","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:33.907464Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:33.940690Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"James McKinney argues his death sentence violates current law. Arizona claims the error does not require a new trial.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 12-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 12-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 40-44"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2019-12-11T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2019","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/18-1109.html","primary_docket":"18-1109","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:37:11.514352Z","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":["James McKinney faces execution in Arizona. He claims his sentencing violated current law. The state argues the error does not require a new trial. The Court must decide if a new proceeding is mandatory."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 12-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 12-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 40-44"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 11, 2019."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 46-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 46-48"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["McKinney wants a new sentencing proceeding under current law.","Arizona wants to keep the existing death sentence intact."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 12-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 12-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 40-44"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["McKinney argues the state must apply new sentencing rules.","Arizona argues the error does not invalidate the sentence."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 12-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 12-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 40-44"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if the case needs a remand.","Justice Kavanaugh questioned the difference between adding and removing factors."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 12-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 12-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 42-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 42-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 50-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 50-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 38-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 38-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 28-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 28-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 24-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 50-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 50-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 46-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 46-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 50-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 44-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 44-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 50-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 8-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 8-38"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines how courts handle sentencing errors. It determines if inmates get new trials under new laws. It affects the fairness of death penalty proceedings nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 12-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 12-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 40-44"}]},{"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 12-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 12-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 42-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 42-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 50-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 50-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 38-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 38-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 28-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 28-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 24-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 50-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 50-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 46-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 46-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 50-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 44-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 44-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 50-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 8-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 8-38"}]}],"slug":"2019-18-1109-mckinney-v-arizona","term":"2019","title":"Does a new sentencing law require a fresh trial for a death row inmate?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 12-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 12-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-1109_0pm1.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 40-44"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}