October Term 2003 · Docket 03-339
Does the Alien Tort Statute cover acts committed abroad?
The dispute centers on whether federal courts can hear claims for torts committed in a foreign country.
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
Paul Clement argued the Ninth Circuit found the arrest unauthorized.
He stated the arrest occurred in Mexico.
He noted the court found the FTCA exception inapplicable.
Hoffman argued the government theory does not fit the statute.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 6-25 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 6-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 31-35
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the reach of the Alien Tort Statute. It asks if U.S. courts can adjudicate claims arising from events in Mexico.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 6-25 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 6-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 23-29
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 30, 2004.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 31-35
What each side wants
The United States wants the court to dismiss the claim.
the side that brought the case wants the court to allow the claim to proceed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 6-25 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 6-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 23-29
What each side says
The government argues the statute does not cover foreign acts.
the side that brought the case argues the statute covers violations of international law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 6-25 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 6-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 23-29
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked how the claim fits the statute.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 31-35
Why it matters
This case defines the geographic limits of federal jurisdiction. It determines whether U.S. courts can hear foreign tort claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 6-25 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 6-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 23-29
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 4, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 31-35
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 22, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 6-25 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 6-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 6-25 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 6-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 23-29
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.