October Term 2011 · Docket 10-9647
Can a state execute a juvenile who did not kill or intend to kill?
The dispute centers on whether executing a juvenile who did not commit the killing violates the Eighth Amendment.
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
Mr. Stevenson argued for the side that brought the case.
Mr. Holt argued for the opposing side.
argument_detail
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 33-7
- 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 39-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-19
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the limits of capital punishment for young offenders who did not directly cause death.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-21
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 20, 2012.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the death sentence overturned.
the opposing side wants the death sentence upheld.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-21
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the sentence violates constitutional protections for juveniles.
the opposing side argues the sentence fits the severity of the crime.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-21
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked about the intent behind the defendant's actions.
Justice Breyer asked about the specific jury instructions given.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-19
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of capital punishment for young people. It clarifies when a state can impose the ultimate penalty. The outcome shapes future sentencing laws nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-21
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 45-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 33-7
- 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 39-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-19
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 24, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-21
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.