October Term 2002 · Docket 01-7574
Does a default life sentence after a hung jury violate double jeopardy?
Sattazahn argues a default life sentence after a hung jury acts as an acquittal. Pennsylvania rejects this view.
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
Srinivasan framed the core legal question for the Court.
Dougherty argued the double jeopardy exception is limited.
Dougherty stated the exception does not arise from the proceeding itself.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-33 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 9-1 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 9-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 19-23
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Sattazahn seeks a new sentencing hearing. Pennsylvania wants to keep the default life sentence.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-33 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 9-1 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 9-1
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 4, 2002.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-25
What each side wants
Sattazahn wants a new sentencing hearing.
Pennsylvania wants to keep the life sentence.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-33 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 9-1 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 9-1
What each side says
Sattazahn claims the default sentence functions as an acquittal.
Pennsylvania claims the default sentence is not an acquittal.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-33 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 9-1 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 9-1
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case is submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 19-23
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of double jeopardy protection. It determines when a state can retry a defendant after a hung jury.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-33 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 9-1 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 9-1
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 5-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 19-23
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 24, lines 41-33 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 9-1 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 9-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-33 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 9-1 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 9-1
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.