October Term 2012 · Docket 11-218
Can courts indefinitely pause habeas cases for incompetent prisoners?
the sides that brought the case seek to end indefinite stays. the opposing sides defend the power to pause cases.
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
Ms. Schimmer argued the Sixth Circuit rationale was wrong.
Mr. Michelman stated Ohio and the United States agree on stay authority.
Ms. Schimmer noted Carter disowns the circuit's rationale.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 49-1
- 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 41-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-23
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on the duration of procedural pauses. One side argues for a strict limit. The other side supports flexible judicial control.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 9, 2012.
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
the sides that brought the case want the Court to reject indefinite stays.
the opposing sides want the Court to preserve broad stay authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue indefinite stays violate statutory limits.
the opposing sides argue courts need flexibility to manage competence.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if indefinite stays are never appropriate.
Justice Kennedy asked if new evidence serves as a backstop.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-23
Why it matters
Prisoners face uncertain timelines for legal review. Courts manage case backlogs differently. The rule defines procedural fairness for all inmates.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
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 49-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 49-1
- 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 41-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 41-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-23
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 16, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-47
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.