October Term 2004 · Docket 03-9046
Can federal courts pause habeas deadlines for unexhausted state claims?
the sides that brought the case seek a stay to exhaust state claims. the opposing sides argue this violates federal exhaustion rules.
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
Mr. Lange argued stay and abeyance is proper.
Mr. Lange cited unique case facts for this approach.
Mr. Long argued Congress crafted a strict exhaustion scheme.
Mr. Long emphasized prompt federal resolution goals.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-33 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 43-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 1-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 1-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-3
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests federal habeas procedure. It asks if courts can pause deadlines. the sides that brought the case want time to fix state claims. the opposing sides want strict deadline enforcement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-33 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 43-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-43
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 12, 2005.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want a stay to exhaust state claims.
the opposing sides want strict deadline enforcement without stays.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-33 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 43-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-43
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue stay and abeyance fits unique facts.
the opposing sides argue Congress designed strict exhaustion schemes.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-33 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 43-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-43
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if granting a stay is an abuse of discretion.
Justice O'Connor asked if reversing prior precedent is required.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 1-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 1-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-3
Why it matters
This dispute shapes federal habeas timelines. It affects prisoner access to state courts. It balances state sovereignty against federal oversight.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-33 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 43-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-43
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 10, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 1-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 1-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-3
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 20, lines 43-33 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 43-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 43-33 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 43-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-43
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.