October Term 2002 · Docket 01-1289
Can a jury punish an insurer for out-of-state conduct?
State Farm seeks to limit punitive damages to in-state conduct. The Campbells argue the jury properly considered national practices.
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
Ms. Birnbaum stated the case arose from a settlement failure.
Mr. Tribe noted he read the transcript but did not try the case.
Justice Stevens asked if the Utah evidence related to the specific case.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 43-47
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
State Farm wants the punitive damages award reduced. The Campbells want the award upheld. The dispute centers on whether out-of-state conduct justifies the penalty.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 11, 2002.
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 53, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 43-47
What each side wants
State Farm wants the punitive damages award reduced.
The Campbells want the punitive damages award upheld.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-7
What each side says
State Farm argues the jury improperly considered out-of-state conduct.
The Campbells argue the jury properly considered national practices.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-7
What the justices asked
Justice Stevens asked if the Utah evidence related to the specific case.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 43-47
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of punitive damages. It determines how courts treat out-of-state conduct. It affects insurance costs nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-7
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 53, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 43-47
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 45-13 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-7
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.