October Term 2009 · Docket 08-1402
Does a 10 percent disparity rule bar habeas relief for jury selection claims?
Smith argues the Michigan Supreme Court misapplied federal precedent. The state insists the lower court acted reasonably.
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
Restuccia argued the case involves habeas corpus law.
He claimed the state court misapplied Supreme Court precedent.
Lawrence argued for the opposing side's position.
He defended the state court's reasoning.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-5 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-11
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Smith seeks federal habeas relief for his murder conviction. He claims the state ignored federal jury selection standards. The state defends the Michigan Supreme Court decision. It argues the lower court applied federal law reasonably.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 35-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 20, 2010.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
What each side wants
Smith wants the federal court to grant habeas relief.
The state wants the Michigan Supreme Court decision to stand.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 35-39
What each side says
Smith argues the state court unreasonably applied federal precedent.
The state argues the lower court acted within federal limits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 35-39
What the justices asked
Justice Kennedy asked how to manage the time limit.
Justice Breyer questioned ignoring witness testimony details.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-5 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-11
Why it matters
This case defines the standard for federal habeas review. It clarifies how courts evaluate state jury selection decisions. The outcome shapes future criminal appeals nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 35-39
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 10, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-5 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-11
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 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 35-39
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.