October Term 2010 · Docket 09-1233
Should a federal court order California to release 45,000 prisoners?
California seeks to end a court order forcing it to release thousands of inmates. Prisoners argue the state fails to provide basic medical care.
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
California's lawyer argued the release order is extraordinary and unprecedented.
Prisoners' lawyer argued overcrowding causes severe suffering and preventable suicides.
Justice Ginsburg questioned the timeline for fixing the prison system.
Justice Breyer noted the receiver claims the state can provide care.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 5-5 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 5-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-11
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
California claims a federal court order to release prisoners is too extreme. Prisoners claim the state denies them essential medical treatment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-31
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 30, 2010.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 19-45
What each side wants
California wants the Supreme Court to end the order requiring prisoner releases.
Prisoners want the Supreme Court to keep the order requiring prisoner releases.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-31
What each side says
California argues the release order is an unprecedented and extraordinary remedy.
Prisoners argue overcrowding prevents the state from providing constitutional medical care.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-31
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked how long the state must wait to fix the system.
Justice Ginsburg asked if the state can return to a single judge later.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 5-5 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 5-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-11
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of federal power over state prisons. It determines whether courts can force states to release prisoners to fix conditions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-31
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 10, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-47 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 15-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 5-5 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 5-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-11
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 19-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-31
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.