October Term 2015 · Docket 15-108
Can Puerto Rico and the United States both prosecute the same crime?
Puerto Rico argues its people hold distinct power to punish. The defendant argues only the federal government holds that power.
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
Christopher Landau argued the people of Puerto Rico are the source of local law.
He stated this point is straightforward and central to the case.
Ms. Saharsky addressed the dual sovereignty test used in Double Jeopardy cases.
She explained why the Court has historically applied this specific test.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 24-48 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 24-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 48-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-16 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 14-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 38-44 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 38-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-4 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-16 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 14-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-48 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 40-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 44-48 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 44-48
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether Puerto Rico acts as a separate sovereign. This status allows both local and federal courts to try one person for the same act.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 24-48 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 24-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 48-12
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 13, 2016.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 8-18
What each side wants
Puerto Rico wants to proceed with its criminal trial against the defendant.
The defendant wants the local trial dismissed to prevent double punishment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 24-48 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 24-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 48-12
What each side says
Puerto Rico argues its people derive authority directly from local sources.
The defendant argues Puerto Rico remains a territory under federal control.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 24-48 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 24-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 48-12
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if recognizing Puerto Rico as sovereign is essential to the case.
Justice Ginsburg asked how the relevant statute operates in both directions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-16 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 14-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 38-44 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 38-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-4 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-16 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 14-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-48 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 40-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 44-48 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 44-48
Why it matters
This dispute defines the legal status of U.S. territories. It determines whether local governments hold independent power to punish crimes. The outcome shapes the balance of federal and local authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 24-48 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 24-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 48-12
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 42-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-16 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 14-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 38-44 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 38-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-4 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-16 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 14-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-48 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 40-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 44-48 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 44-48
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 24-48 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 24-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 48-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 24-48 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 24-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 48-12
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.