October Term 2011 · Docket 11-161
Does a city amnesty program violate equal protection by favoring non-payers?
Homeowners paid full sewer assessments. The city later waived fees for others. the sides that brought the case claim this violates equal protection.
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. Stancil argued the city left the sides that brought the case paying thirty times more. He stated this happened because they paid their tax bills in full.
Mr. Clement stated the city abandoned the Barrett Law. He noted the program had proved unpopular for financing public improvements.
Justice Breyer questioned why the state does not refund money to those who paid. He emphasized this is a matter of constitutional law.
Justice Sotomayor asked about other amnesty programs. She mentioned immigration status amnesty and illegal entry forgiveness.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-43
- 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 45-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 51-1
- 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 5-11 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 25-3 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 25-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 43-3 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 43-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-45
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The city abandoned a sewer funding program. It waived fees for some residents. the sides that brought the case paid full assessments. They claim the waiver violates equal protection.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 51-23
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 29, 2012.
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 62, lines 25-3 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 25-3
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the court to strike down the amnesty program. They argue it treats them unfairly compared to non-payers.
The city wants the court to uphold the amnesty program. It argues the waiver is a valid policy choice.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 51-23
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the city treated them unequally. They paid full assessments while others received waivers. This violates the Equal Protection Clause.
The city argues the waiver is a policy choice. It does not create a protected class. The city can choose whom to forgive.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 51-23
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked how the logic applies to other amnesty programs. She cited immigration status amnesty as an example.
Justice Breyer asked why the state must not refund money to those who paid. He framed this as a constitutional law matter.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 51-1
- 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 5-11 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 25-3 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 25-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 43-3 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 43-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-45
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of government amnesty programs. It determines whether cities can waive fees for some while others pay. The outcome affects how municipalities manage public debt and funding.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 51-23
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 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 51-1
- 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 5-11 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 25-3 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 25-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 43-3 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 43-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-45
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 29, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 51-23
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.