October Term 2003 · Docket 02-8286
Did Banks waive his claims by failing to raise them in state court?
Banks argues prosecutors hid evidence and his lawyer failed him. The state says he waived these claims by not raising them earlier.
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
Banks claims prosecutors promised to disclose discoverable material to the defense.
Banks argues his defense counsel was constitutionally deficient during the trial.
The state asserts Banks failed to diligently pursue his current claims.
The state notes Banks chose to pursue other claims in state court instead.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 11-13
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Banks seeks a new trial. He claims prosecutors hid evidence and his lawyer failed him. The state argues he waived these claims by not raising them earlier.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 37-9
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 8, 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 54, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 11-13
What each side wants
Banks wants a new trial based on hidden evidence and poor counsel.
The state wants the court to deny relief because Banks waived his claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 37-9
What each side says
Banks argues prosecutors promised to disclose material but failed to do so.
The state argues Banks failed to diligently pursue these claims in state court.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 37-9
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted after the argument ended.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 11-13
Why it matters
This case defines when a prisoner waives legal claims. It determines if delayed filing bars relief. It affects how courts handle late-filed habeas petitions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 37-9
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 54, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 11-13
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 3, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 45-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 37-9
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.