October Term 2015 · Docket 15-338
Do state-hired private debt collectors count as state officers?
Ohio argues private collectors hired by its attorney general are state officers. Gillie argues they are private actors subject to federal debt collection limits.
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. Murphy argued Ohio law authorizes the attorney general to appoint special counsel.
Ms. Harrington argued the statute covers collectors authorized by state agencies.
Mr. Rosencranz argued private collectors are not state officers or part of the office.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 44-6 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 44-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 36-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 50-1 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 50-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-48
- 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 50-16 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 50-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 24-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 44-28 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 44-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 44-1 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 44-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 14-20 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 14-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 34-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-6 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-8 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 48-6 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 48-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 14-20 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 14-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 50-6 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 50-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 50-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-48 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 40-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 16-36
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether private debt collectors hired by a state attorney general qualify as state officers. This status determines if federal debt collection rules apply to their work.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 24-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-6 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-6
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 29, 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 59, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 10-18
What each side wants
Ohio wants the Court to classify its hired collectors as state officers.
Gillie wants the Court to classify the collectors as private actors.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 24-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-6 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-6
What each side says
Ohio argues these collectors act as the attorney general's agents.
Gillie argues the statute targets private collectors, not state officers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 24-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-6 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-6
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if independent contractors can legally become state officers.
Justice Ginsburg asked how the law treats in-house versus outside collectors.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 44-6 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 44-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 36-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 50-1 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 50-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 50-16 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 50-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 44-28 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 44-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 44-1 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 44-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 14-20 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 14-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 34-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-8 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 48-6 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 48-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 14-20 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 14-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 50-6 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 50-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 50-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-48 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 40-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 16-36
Why it matters
This case defines who counts as a state officer. It determines which debt collection rules apply to state-hired private firms. The outcome shapes state debt collection practices nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 24-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-6 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-6
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 44-6 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 44-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 36-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 50-1 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 50-1
- 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 50-16 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 50-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 44-28 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 44-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 44-1 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 44-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 14-20 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 14-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 34-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-8 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 48-6 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 48-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 14-20 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 14-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 50-6 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 50-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 50-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-48 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 40-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 16-36
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 26-32 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 24-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-6 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 24-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-6 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-6
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.