October Term 2012 · Docket 12-547
Does AEDPA deference apply when state courts interpret statutes differently?
the sides that brought the case seek federal habeas relief. the opposing sides defend the state court judgment.
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. Bursch argued for AEDPA deference.
Mr. Mogill argued against the state court interpretation.
questions_asked_by_justices
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-5 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 47-43
- 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 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-13
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of federal deference to state courts under AEDPA.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 47-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 24, 2013.
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 Supreme Court to reverse the Sixth Circuit decision.
the opposing sides want the Supreme Court to affirm the Sixth Circuit decision.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 47-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the state court decision was contrary to federal law.
the opposing sides argue the state court decision deserves AEDPA deference.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 47-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
What the justices asked
Justice Alito asked about intermediate state appellate court decisions.
Justice Kennedy asked about the basis of a 1973 case.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-5 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-17
- 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 29-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-13
Why it matters
This dispute defines the limits of federal habeas review. It shapes how federal courts treat state statutory interpretations. It affects the finality of state criminal judgments.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 47-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
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 51-5 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-17
- 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 29-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-13
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 18, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 47-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 47-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-27
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.