October Term 2002 · Docket 02-311
Did counsel fail to investigate Wiggins' background?
Wiggins claims his lawyer ignored his abusive past. The state says no duty existed to dig deeper.
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
Verrilli argued Strickland requires thorough investigation or judgment.
Himmelfarb argued the Sixth Amendment imposed no such duty.
Bair corrected the factual record regarding post-conviction comments.
Himmelfarb noted trial counsel obtained social services records.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-60 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-60
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-5 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 39-43
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Wiggins argues his lawyer ignored his abusive past. The state says no duty existed to dig deeper.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-60 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-60
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-5 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-5
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 24, 2003.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 39-43
What each side wants
Wiggins seeks a new trial based on ineffective counsel.
The state seeks to keep the death sentence intact.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-60 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-60
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-5 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-5
What each side says
Wiggins argues counsel must investigate or justify limits.
The state argues no duty required background evidence.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-60 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-60
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-5 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-5
What the justices asked
Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 39-43
Why it matters
This case defines lawyer duties in death penalty trials. It shapes how courts judge legal preparation. It impacts future capital sentencing standards.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-60 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-60
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-5 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-5
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 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 39-43
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 17-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-60 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-60
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-5 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-60 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-60
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 21-5 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 21-5
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.