October Term 2006 · Docket 05-8820
Does a pending state post-conviction application stop the federal filing clock?
Lawrence argues his state application tolls the deadline. Florida says the deadline runs regardless.
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
Ms. Bonner stated Lawrence sought relief in Florida state courts.
She noted the state courts denied his application.
Justice Breyer questioned whether the state judgment remains pending.
He suggested the application stays pending for at least ninety days.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 47-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 5-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether a pending state post-conviction application pauses the federal filing deadline. Lawrence claims the deadline stops while his state case is active. Florida claims the deadline continues running. The Court must decide which interpretation applies.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 47-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-51
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 31, 2006.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 23-27
What each side wants
Lawrence wants the Court to pause the federal deadline during his state application.
Florida wants the Court to keep the federal deadline running during his state application.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 47-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-51
What each side says
Lawrence argues his state application is pending and tolls the federal deadline.
Florida argues AEDPA does not toll the deadline for state post-conviction processes.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 47-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-51
What the justices asked
Justice Breyer asked if the state judgment remains pending for ninety days.
Justice Scalia asked which specific text governs the current dispute.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 5-7
Why it matters
This case defines when the federal filing clock stops. It affects every prisoner seeking state relief. It clarifies the interaction between state and federal deadlines. It determines the scope of equitable tolling under AEDPA.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 47-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-51
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 14, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 5-7
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 16, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 47-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 47-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-51
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.