US Supreme Court holds that juries must render unanimous decisions in state criminal cases

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | April 22, 2020

No. 1,641

RAMOS v LOUISIANA https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/18-5924

The US Supreme Court reversed precedent that had approved the long-standing practice in the states of Louisiana and Oregon of criminal convictions with  a 10 – 2 verdict.  The Court held that the Sixth Amendment required this result by the term  “trial by an impartial jury” as understood by the framers.  Pennsylvania is among the 48 states that require unanimity, so it has no impact on our practice.

However, three concurrences and a dissent were filed, indicating a diversity of opinions on how this conclusion should be reached.

CLT

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CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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