October Term 2024 · Docket 23-7809
Does a court order declaring state DNA rules unconstitutional fix a prisoner's lack of access to testing?
A Texas prisoner argues a court order declaring state DNA rules unconstitutional fixes his lack of access to testing. The state argues the order does not fix that specific injury.
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. Fisher argued the case involves a procedural injury. She stated the denial of access to DNA evidence is the core issue. She noted the opposing sides changed their standing rationale during the proceedings.
Mr. Cole argued the declaratory judgment did not redress the injury. He stated the injury is the denial of access to DNA testing evidence. He referenced the Reed case to support his position on justifications.
Justice Alito asked if the side that brought the case must show a declaratory judgment redresses his injury. He noted the defendant is the district attorney. He sought confirmation on the redress requirement.
Justice Sotomayor asked if Article III standing requires a particularized determination. She asked if a specific state official will redress the injury. She noted the lower court did not reach due process arguments.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 107, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 107, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-25
- 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 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-17
- 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 49-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 41-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 41-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 55-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether a court order declaring state DNA rules unconstitutional fixes a prisoner's lack of access to testing. The state argues the order does not fix that specific injury.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 107, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 107, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-25
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 24, 2025.
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 69, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-27
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the court to find he has standing to challenge state DNA rules.
the opposing side wants the court to find he lacks standing to challenge state DNA rules.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 107, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 107, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-25
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues a declaratory judgment redresses his procedural injury by forcing officials to follow the law.
the opposing side argues a declaratory judgment does not redress his specific injury of denied DNA testing access.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 107, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 107, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-25
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if the lower court correctly dismissed the case for lack of standing.
Justice Thomas asked if the state considered testing after the declaratory judgment issued.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-17
- 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 49-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 41-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 41-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 55-9
Why it matters
This dispute defines the scope of federal court power over state prison procedures. It determines whether prisoners can use federal courts to challenge state DNA testing rules. The outcome shapes access to post-conviction evidence for all state prisoners.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 107, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 107, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-25
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 15-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-25
- 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 27-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-17
- 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 49-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 41-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 41-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 55-9
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 107, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 107, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 107, lines 33-11 — Transcript, file page 107, lines 33-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-25
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.