October Term 2005 · Docket 04-721
Does a state court's use of the phrase on the merits prove a habeas petition was timely?
the sides that brought the case argue the phrase proves timeliness. the opposing sides argue it does not. The Court must decide if this phrase settles the deadline dispute.
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
Ms. Chatman argued the Ninth Circuit decision was wrong.
She stated the rule frustrates Congress's intent.
She emphasized the federal interest in avoiding stale claims.
Mr. Stris argued the case follows prior precedent directly. He stated the risk is too great in this context.
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 32, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-54 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-54 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-54 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-25
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether a state court's specific wording settles a deadline dispute. the sides that brought the case want the phrase to prove timeliness. the opposing sides want the phrase to carry no legal weight. The outcome affects how federal courts handle stale 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 32, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 9, 2005.
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 63, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-43
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the phrase to prove the petition was timely.
the opposing sides want the phrase to carry no legal weight.
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 32, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the phrase proves timeliness and respects finality.
the opposing sides argue the phrase does not prove timeliness.
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 32, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
What the justices asked
Justice Kennedy asked if state courts can set their own deadlines.
Justice Breyer asked why the phrase does not prove timeliness.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-54 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-54 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-54 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-25
Why it matters
Federal courts must manage stale habeas claims. State courts must maintain conviction finality. The phrase determines if a petition is stale. This affects the balance between federal and state interests.
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 32, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, 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 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-54 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 41-54 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 41-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-54 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-25
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 32, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 3-3 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 3-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 60, 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.