October Term 2018 · Docket 17-646
Can states and federal governments prosecute the same act?
the sides that brought the case argue the Double Jeopardy Clause bars dual sovereign prosecutions. The government claims separate powers allow both trials.
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. Chaiten argued the clause text bars dual trials.
Mr. Feigin argued distinct powers create separate offenses.
Justices questioned the scope of foreign judgments.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-28 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 30-31 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 30-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 23-30 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 23-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 12-28 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 12-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-8 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 35-1 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 35-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 10-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 22-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 22-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 29-5 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 29-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 5-20 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 5-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 12-13 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 12-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 12-29 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 12-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 10-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 10-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 8-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-12 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-12
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the separate sovereigns doctrine. the sides that brought the case seek to strike down the rule. The government defends the current practice.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 12-28 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 12-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 8-28
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 6, 2018.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-19
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to ban dual prosecutions.
The government wants to keep dual prosecutions legal.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 12-28 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 12-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 8-28
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the clause text forbids dual trials.
The government argues distinct powers create separate offenses.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 12-28 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 12-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 8-28
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked if foreign judgments count.
Justice Alito asked for a direct answer on accuracy.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-28 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 30-31 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 30-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 23-30 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 23-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-8 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 35-1 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 35-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 10-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 22-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 22-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 29-5 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 29-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 5-20 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 5-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 12-13 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 12-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 12-29 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 12-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 10-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 10-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-12 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-12
Why it matters
This dispute defines the limits of state power. It shapes how prosecutors handle overlapping crimes. It affects every citizen facing dual trials.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 12-28 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 12-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 8-28
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 27-28 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 30-31 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 30-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 23-30 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 23-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-8 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 35-1 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 35-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 10-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 22-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 22-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 29-5 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 29-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 5-20 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 5-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 12-13 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 12-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 12-29 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 12-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 10-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 10-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-12 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-12
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 4, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 12-28 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 12-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 8-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 12-28 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 12-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 8-28 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 8-28
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.