October Term 2015 · Docket 15-5040
Does a prosecutor's prior role require recusal from a death penalty appeal?
The dispute centers on whether due process bars a former prosecutor from judging a capital case they previously handled.
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
the side that brought the case claims due process bars a prosecutor from judging their own prior decisions.
The state contends general supervisory responsibility does not create a constitutional conflict.
Justice Alito questioned whether signing an indictment alone creates a conflict of interest.
Justice Kagan asked if a pro forma signature is insufficient to require recusal.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 16-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 36-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 14-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-28 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 22-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 48-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 6-26
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Williams v. Pennsylvania asks if a judge must step aside after serving as the prosecutor in the same death penalty case.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 32-32
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 29, 2016.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-16
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the court to reverse the conviction and order a new trial.
The state wants the court to affirm the conviction and uphold the original judgment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 32-32
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues due process forbids a prosecutor from judging their own prior decisions.
The state argues a judge's general supervisory role does not create a constitutional conflict.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 32-32
What the justices asked
Justice Alito asked if signing an indictment alone creates a conflict of interest.
Justice Kagan asked if a pro forma signature is insufficient to require recusal.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 16-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 36-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 14-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-28 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 22-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 48-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 6-26
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of judicial impartiality in capital punishment. It determines whether prior prosecutorial involvement automatically disqualifies a judge. The outcome shapes fair trial standards for all criminal defendants.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 32-32
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 42-8 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 16-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 36-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 14-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-28 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 22-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 48-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 6-26
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 26, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 32-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 26-1 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 26-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 32-32 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 32-32
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.