{"argument_date":"2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2024","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","paragraphs":["Rivers' advocate argued Congress did not slam the door on exculpatory evidence. He stated there is always a pathway for late-breaking claims. He claimed habeas historically allowed this.","Guerrero's advocate argued Rivers' new petition is second or successive. He cited multiple reasons for this classification. He started with precedent to support his position.","Justice Gorsuch questioned the historical approach. He noted the default rule against amending cases in the court of appeals. He emphasized the case is in the court of appeals.","Justice Jackson questioned the statutory interpretation. She asked why this does not circumvent the statute. She questioned the relationship with Gonzalez and the judgment's work. She asked how to define second and successive post-AEDPA."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 55-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 55-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 17-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 49-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 49-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 23-27"}]}],"caption":"Rivers v. Guerrero","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:14.718678Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T23:55:46.301718Z","explanation":"An official Court opinion was verified.","status":"decided"}],"case_status":"decided","dek":"Rivers argues his new petition is not second or successive. Guerrero argues it is.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-15"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","maturity":"post_opinion","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2024","official_disposition_urls":["https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/605us2r46_kjfm.pdf"],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-1345.html","primary_docket":"23-1345","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T15:40:49.135396Z","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":["Rivers filed a new habeas petition while his first case was on appeal. He claims this is not a second or successive petition. Guerrero argues it is. The Court must decide if this filing triggers AEDPA restrictions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-15"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 31, 2025."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Rivers wants the Court to treat his new petition as a first petition. He wants to avoid AEDPA restrictions on second or successive petitions.","Guerrero wants the Court to treat his new petition as second or successive. He wants AEDPA restrictions to apply to this filing."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Rivers argues Congress did not block exculpatory evidence during appeals. He claims habeas historically allowed late-breaking claims to appellate courts.","Guerrero argues the new petition is second or successive. He cites precedent to support this classification."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-15"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Gorsuch asked if history supports amending cases in the court of appeals. He noted the default rule against willy-nilly amendments.","Justice Jackson asked why this does not circumvent the statute. She questioned interpreting appeal filings as not second or successive. She also asked how this squares with Gonzalez and the judgment's work. She questioned if Banister applies to a 59(e) scenario. She asked how to define second and successive post-AEDPA."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 55-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 55-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 17-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 49-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 49-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 23-27"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines when a new habeas petition becomes second or successive. It determines if prisoners can file new claims during appeals. It affects the scope of AEDPA restrictions on habeas petitions. It clarifies the role of appellate courts in habeas proceedings."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-15"}]},{"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 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 55-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 55-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 17-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 17-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 17-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 49-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 49-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 23-27"}]}],"slug":"2024-23-1345-rivers-v-guerrero","term":"2024","title":"Does a new habeas petition filed during an appeal count as second or successive?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 48, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2024/23-1345_pok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-15"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":"latest_argument_date","updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}