October Term 2005 · Docket 05-83
Can a judge decide facts that raise a criminal sentence?
The dispute centers on whether a judge may find facts that increase a sentence beyond the standard range.
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. Whisman argued that a judge deciding facts that raise a sentence violates the Sixth Amendment.
Mr. Link argued that the error in this case could not be subjected to harmless error analysis.
Ms. Millett argued that failure to submit an element to a jury is subject to harmless error analysis.
Mr. Whisman distinguished his case by noting the defendant was never put on notice of aggravated murder.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 43-54 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 43-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-37
- 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 39-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 39-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 1-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 1-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 1-5 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 1-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-31
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial. It asks if a judge can decide facts that raise a sentence above the standard range. the side that brought the case argues this violates constitutional rights. the opposing side argues the error was harmless.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 43-54 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 43-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-54
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 17, 2006.
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 56, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-23
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the Court to declare the judge’s fact-finding unconstitutional.
the opposing side wants the Court to allow harmless error analysis for this mistake.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 43-54 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 43-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-54
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues a judge cannot decide facts that increase punishment above the standard range.
the opposing side argues this error is nonstructural and subject to harmless error review.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 43-54 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 43-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-54
What the justices asked
Justice Stevens asked if the firearm must be operable.
Justice Kennedy questioned if the prosecutor thought there was no error regarding the deadly weapon definition.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 39-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 1-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 1-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 1-5 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 1-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-31
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between judge and jury powers in sentencing. It determines who decides facts that raise criminal penalties. The outcome shapes the core of the jury trial right in criminal law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 43-54 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 43-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-54
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 11, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 35-39
- 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 39-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 39-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 1-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 1-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 1-5 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 1-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-31
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 17, lines 43-54 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 43-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 43-54 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 43-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-54 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-54
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.