October Term 2012 · Docket 12-144
Can a state official defend a ballot measure without state authorization?
the sides that brought the case seek to defend a state ballot measure. the opposing sides argue the state lacks standing to do so.
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. Cooper argued marriage definitions have historical roots.
Mr. Olson contextualized the ballot measure before addressing standing.
General Verrilli argued the measure denies equal protection.
General Verrilli described the measure as a permanent constitutional ban.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 29-33
- 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 11-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-17
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests who may defend a state law in federal court. the sides that brought the case claim a state official has standing. the opposing sides argue only the state itself holds that right.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-13
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 26, 2013.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-17
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to allow a state official to defend the measure.
the opposing sides want the Court to dismiss the appeal for lack of standing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-13
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the official has a personal interest in the law.
the opposing sides argue the state must authorize any defense of its laws.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-13
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked if a state can assign defense rights to any citizen.
Justice Scalia asked if the attorney general has a proprietary interest.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 29-33
- 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 11-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 29-1
Why it matters
The outcome defines who controls state law defenses in federal courts. It shapes the balance of power between state officials and private citizens.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-13
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 29-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 29-33
- 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 11-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-17
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 28, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 13-13
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.