October Term 2020 · Docket 19-968
Can a one-dollar award keep a constitutional case alive?
the sides that brought the case seek a one-dollar award to prove their rights were violated. The government argues this amount makes the case moot.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Ms. Waggoner argued the students lost a chance to speak forever.
She said partial redress is still redress under Article III.
Mr. Mooppan argued the injury was real and the money was a fix.
He said the small amount does not change the case's validity.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 11-51 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 11-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 45-55 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 45-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 55-23 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 55-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 19-21
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether a tiny money award satisfies the Constitution's requirement for a real dispute. the sides that brought the case want a dollar to confirm their rights were violated. The government wants the case dismissed because the amount is too small to matter.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 11-51 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 11-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 19-21
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 12, 2021.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-31
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want a one-dollar award to confirm their rights were violated.
The government wants the case dismissed because the award is too small to matter.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 11-51 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 11-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 19-21
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue a one-dollar award is a real fix for a past injury.
The government argues a one-dollar award is just a symbol and not a real fix.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 11-51 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 11-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 19-21
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if a one-dollar deposit makes the case moot.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the dollar is just a symbol for being right.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 45-55 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 45-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 55-23 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 55-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-39
Why it matters
This case defines what counts as a real injury in court. It decides if tiny money awards can keep constitutional cases alive. It affects how courts handle claims for past rights violations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 11-51 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 11-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 19-21
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 19-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 45-55 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 45-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 55-23 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 55-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-39
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 11-51 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 11-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 11-51 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 11-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 19-21
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.