October Term 2000 · Docket 99-603
Can the government restrict legal aid lawyers from challenging federal policies?
Legal aid groups argue federal funding rules violate free speech rights. The government claims it controls program scope.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — 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
Mr. Neuborne stated the legal issue is narrow and precise.
Mr. Kneedler cited West v. Sullivan to support government control.
Mr. Kneedler argued the government defines program scope within broad limits.
Mr. Newborn compared the situation to the Rust case.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-47 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 49-1
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The Supreme Court reviewed a dispute over federal funding conditions. Legal Services Corporation argued these conditions restrict speech. The government argued it defines program limits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-47 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-47
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 4, 2000.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 49-1
What each side wants
Legal Services Corporation wants the funding restrictions struck down.
The government wants the funding restrictions upheld.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-47 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-47
What each side says
Legal Services Corporation argues the restrictions violate free speech rights.
The government argues it controls the scope of funded programs.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-47 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-47
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if limits exist on government program definitions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 49-1
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between public funding and free speech. It determines how much control the government holds over funded legal aid services. The outcome shapes the scope of legal representation for low-income individuals.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-47 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-47
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 5-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 49-1
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 14, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-47 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 5-47 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 5-47
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.