October Term 2021 · Docket 20-601
Can a state attorney general appeal a judgment after missing the statutory deadline?
Kentucky officials dispute whether a late appeal by the Attorney General violates federal procedural rules.
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
the side that brought the case argued the Attorney General chose not to appeal within the thirty-day window.
the opposing side argued the Attorney General moved to intervene to exhaust all appeals for the state.
Justice Thomas asked for a standard to determine if the lower court abused its discretion.
the side that brought the case claimed the Attorney General was bound by the final judgment and missed the deadline.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-13
- 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 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-23 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 53-15
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests if a state official can revive a dismissed appeal after missing a strict deadline.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 51-13
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 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 74, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 21-41
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the Court to affirm the dismissal of the late appeal.
the opposing side wants the Court to allow the state to proceed with its appeal.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 51-13
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the Attorney General waived appeal rights by missing the statutory deadline.
the opposing side argues the Attorney General acted to protect the state's law and should be heard.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 51-13
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the Attorney General intervened as a distinct entity from the Commonwealth.
Justice Sotomayor asked if the state waived its sovereignty by signing a stipulation to abide by the judgment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-23 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 53-15
Why it matters
This dispute defines the limits of state participation in federal appeals. It clarifies when a state can challenge a final judgment. The outcome shapes procedural fairness in federal courts. It impacts how states defend their laws against federal rulings.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 51-13
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 11, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-23
- 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 25-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-23 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 53-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 53-15
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 39, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 51-13
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.