{"argument_date":"2020-10-05T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2020-10-05T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2020","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","paragraphs":["Michael McConnell argued for Delaware. He cited federalism principles. He said states set official qualifications.","Chief Justice Roberts asked about standing. He noted Adams is ready to apply. He questioned if Adams is truly interested.","Justice Thomas asked about elected judges. He wondered if the argument changes for elected positions."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 30-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 30-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 24-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 36-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 40-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 40-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 20-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 46-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 46-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 6-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 12-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 12-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 46-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 6-10"}]}],"caption":"Carney v. Adams","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.000141Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"James Adams seeks a Delaware judgeship. The state bars non-residents from holding that office.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-18"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2020-10-05T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2020","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/19-309.html","primary_docket":"19-309","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:28:42.972304Z","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":["Delaware law requires judges to live in the state. Adams wants to run for office. The state says residency is a valid qualification."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-18"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 5, 2020."],"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/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Adams wants to run for judge despite living out of state.","Delaware wants to keep its residency requirement for judges."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Adams argues the residency rule violates equal protection principles.","Delaware argues states control qualifications for high-ranking officials."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-18"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Does Adams have standing to sue if he is ready to apply?","Does the residency rule change if judges are elected instead of appointed?"],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 30-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 30-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 24-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 36-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 40-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 40-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 20-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 46-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 46-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 6-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 12-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 12-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 46-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 6-10"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["State residency rules shape who can hold public office. This case tests the limits of state power over judicial qualifications."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-18"}]},{"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 30-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 30-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 24-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 36-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 40-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 40-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 20-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 46-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 46-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 6-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 12-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 12-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 46-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 6-10"}]}],"slug":"2020-19-309-carney-v-adams","term":"2020","title":"Can Delaware exclude non-residents from judicial office?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-309_4425.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-18"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}