October Term 2000 · Docket 99-1953
Can a jury verdict stand if the judge misstates the law?
The District of Columbia and Tri County Industries dispute the standard for granting a new trial after a jury verdict.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Charles Reischel argued the issue is fundamental to the civil jury system.
He noted courts of appeals have disagreed for decades.
Mr. Emig referenced the standard for granting a new trial.
He cited the Honda Motor case as a suggestion for the standard.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 39-39
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the standard for granting a new trial. The parties disagree on how courts should handle jury verdicts when legal errors occur.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 10, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
The District of Columbia wants the lower court's action to stand.
Tri County Industries wants a new trial granted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
What each side says
The District of Columbia argues the current standard protects the civil jury system.
Tri County Industries argues the standard for new trials is flawed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked the advocates to begin their arguments.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 39-39
Why it matters
This dispute defines how judges handle jury verdicts. It shapes the reliability of civil trials. It affects how courts correct legal errors.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 39-39
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 9-41 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 9-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.