October Term 2008 · Docket 08-6
Does the Constitution require states to provide postconviction access to DNA evidence?
A convicted man seeks DNA testing to prove innocence. The state denies a constitutional right to that access.
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. Katyal argued the Ninth Circuit created a novel right. He stated Osborne does not defend that rationale. He claimed Osborne mints a new liberty interest.
Mr. Neufeld stated a DNA test could prove innocence. He argued the test is undisputed in its potential. He emphasized the importance of actual innocence.
Mr. Rosenstein noted Alaska recognizes DNA evidence importance. He stated the state provides pretrial access. He highlighted postconviction procedures for retesting.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-15
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on whether the Constitution grants prisoners a right to access DNA evidence after conviction. The state argues no such right exists. The prisoner claims a liberty interest in this access.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-31
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 2, 2009.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 21-31
What each side wants
The state wants the Court to reject the new constitutional right. It seeks to limit DNA access to state procedures.
The prisoner wants the Court to recognize a liberty interest. He seeks access to DNA testing to prove innocence.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-31
What each side says
The state argues the Ninth Circuit created a novel right. It claims no constitutional entitlement exists for postconviction DNA access.
The prisoner argues a liberty interest exists. He claims access to clemency procedures requires DNA evidence access.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-31
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if the claim seeks proof of innocence. He questioned if the evidence might hurt the prisoner.
Justice Ginsburg asked when the current DNA technology became available. She sought the timeline for the requested testing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-15
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of postconviction rights. It determines whether prisoners can access new DNA evidence. The outcome shapes state procedures for retesting biological material.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-31
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 7-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-15
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 20, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-31
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.