{"argument_date":"2023-11-28T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2023-11-28T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2023","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Simpson argued that a jury acquittal is final under double jeopardy law.","Mr. Petrany argued that Georgia law voids verdicts with contradictory findings.","Justice Alito asked if judges should instruct juries to deliberate further on inconsistencies."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 39-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 41-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 47-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 47-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 21-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 7-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-11"}]}],"caption":"McElrath v. Georgia","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:16.022357Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:16.038277Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T23:57:41.651284Z","explanation":"An official Court opinion was verified.","status":"decided"}],"case_status":"decided","dek":"The dispute centers on whether Georgia law allows courts to declare a jury verdict void because its findings contradict each other.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 47-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 47-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 21-15"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2023-11-28T00:00:00Z","maturity":"post_opinion","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2023","official_disposition_urls":["https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/601us1r05_1qm2.pdf"],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/22-721.html","primary_docket":"22-721","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T16:17:44.830269Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["Damian McElrath faces a double jeopardy challenge. He argues a jury acquittal is final. Georgia argues its state law voids contradictory verdicts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 47-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 47-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 21-15"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 28, 2023."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 17-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["McElrath wants the Court to declare his acquittal final and bar retrial.","Georgia wants the Court to uphold its rule voiding contradictory verdicts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 47-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 47-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 21-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["McElrath argues a jury acquittal is final under fundamental double jeopardy principles.","Georgia argues its state law voids verdicts with facially contradictory findings."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 47-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 47-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 21-15"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked if the state can act to void the verdict.","Justice Thomas asked about the legal effect of a repugnant verdict finding."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 39-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 41-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 7-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-11"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the finality of jury verdicts. It determines if states can void acquittals based on internal contradictions. The outcome shapes double jeopardy protections nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 47-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 47-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 21-15"}]},{"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 10, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 39-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 41-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 7-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-11"}]}],"slug":"2023-22-721-mcelrath-v-georgia","term":"2023","title":"Can Georgia void a jury verdict as internally contradictory?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 47-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 47-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/22-721_l0h7.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 21-15"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":"latest_argument_date","updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}