Supreme Court of the United States
Fay v. New York
June 23, 1947332 U.S. 261
Summary
The Court upheld the convictions obtained by New York's special or “blue ribbon” jury, rejecting challenges under both equal protection and due process. It held that the statutory standards and demonstrated administration of the special-jury system did not show intentional exclusion, unconstitutional unequal treatment, or a trial so unfair as to deny fundamental fairness. Justice Murphy, dissenting, would have reversed because the panel was systematically selected from a nonrepresentative cross-section of the community.
Holding
- Facial constitutionality of New York's special-jury standards. The special-jury statute was not facially unconstitutional because its exclusion standards were reasonably and closely related to juror suitability and fitness for the types of cases assigned to the panel, and did not exclude persons based on race, creed, color, or occupation.
- Equal protection challenge to the administration and comparative effect of the special-jury system. The defendants failed to prove that the special-jury system denied them equal protection of the laws.
- Due process challenge based on alleged exclusion of women and economic groups. The defendants received due process because the evidence did not show that the special panel was manipulated to deny them a neutral tribunal or a trial based on the evidence and law.
Docket NO. 377
Cited authorities
- 28 U.S.C. § 412
- 18 Stat. 336
- 8 U.S.C. § 44
- 28 U.S.C. §§ 411