October Term 2004 · Docket 04-5928
Does an ICJ judgment create a private right of action in U.S. courts?
Jose Medellin seeks to enforce an International Court of Justice judgment. Texas officials argue the judgment lacks domestic legal force.
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
Medellin's counsel argued the case is exceptionally important. He requested the Court hold the case. He wanted to return to Texas first.
Texas counsel argued the Court should avoid international law issues. He said the case involves state law. He emphasized the need for clarity on private rights.
Justice Rehnquist asked about creating a private right of action. He noted this is not typically covered by the Court.
Justice O'Connor suggested the Court might dismiss the case. She questioned the necessity of analyzing enforceability.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 3-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-21 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 20-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-59 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-59
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-21 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-21
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Jose Medellin asks the Court to enforce an ICJ judgment. He claims the judgment grants him individual rights. Texas officials argue the judgment does not create private rights. They say the case belongs in state courts. The dispute centers on the legal effect of international judgments.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 3-18
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 28, 2005.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-21 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 20-21
What each side wants
Medellin wants the Court to enforce the ICJ judgment. He seeks a private right of action in U.S. courts.
Texas officials want the Court to dismiss the case. They argue the ICJ judgment creates no private rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 3-18
What each side says
Medellin argues the ICJ judgment grants him individual rights. He claims this creates a federal habeas claim.
Texas officials argue the ICJ judgment does not create private rights. They say the case involves state law issues.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 3-18
What the justices asked
Justice O'Connor asked if the Court should dismiss the case. She questioned the need to analyze enforceability.
Justice Ginsburg asked if ICJ judgments typically grant individual rights. She noted this is unusual for such judgments.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-21 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 20-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-59 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-59
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-21 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-21
Why it matters
This case defines the legal force of international judgments. It determines whether individuals can enforce ICJ rulings in U.S. courts. The outcome shapes the relationship between international law and domestic law. It affects how states handle international court decisions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 3-18
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 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-21 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 20-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-59 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-59
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-21 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-21
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 28, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 3-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 3-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 3-18
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.