October Term 2005 · Docket 04-10566
Does the Vienna Convention grant individuals enforceable consular rights?
the sides that brought the case seek individual treaty rights. Oregon argues the treaty binds states only.
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
Mr. Gartlan argued Article 36 confers individual rights.
Mr. Stancil argued the treaty was violated directly.
Ms. Williams called the requested rule revolutionary.
Mr. Thro argued treaty claims should not exceed constitutional claims.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 9-54 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 9-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 1-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 1-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-5 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 49-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on Article 36 of the Vienna Convention. the sides that brought the case claim it creates individual rights. Oregon asserts it creates state obligations only.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 13-15
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 29, 2006.
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 60, lines 9-54 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 9-54
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want individual enforceable consular rights.
Oregon wants the treaty to bind states only.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 13-15
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue Article 36 creates individual rights.
Oregon argues the treaty creates state obligations only.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 13-15
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked about individual refusal of consular contact.
Justice Ginsburg asked about treaty partner views on individual rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 9-54 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 9-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 1-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 1-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-5 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 49-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-9
Why it matters
This case defines whether individuals can sue over consular notification failures. It shapes how states handle foreign detainees. It clarifies the scope of treaty enforcement in criminal trials.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 13-15
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 5, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 9-54 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 9-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 1-11 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 1-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-5 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 49-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-9
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 24, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 45-25 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 45-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 13-15
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.