Supreme Court of the United States

Ramos v. Louisiana

April 20, 2020590 U.S. 83

Summary

The Supreme Court held that the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial, incorporated against the States, requires a unanimous verdict to convict a defendant of a serious offense, and overruled Apodaca v. Oregon. Accordingly, the Court reversed the Louisiana Court of Appeals judgment.

Holding

  • Whether the Sixth Amendment requires unanimity in state criminal jury convictions.. Yes; the Sixth Amendment, incorporated via the Fourteenth Amendment, mandates a unanimous verdict to convict a defendant of a serious offense.
  • Whether Apodaca v. Oregon should be overruled.. Apodaca is overruled; its holding that non‑unanimous verdicts are permissible is rejected.

Cited authorities

  • CA11
  • 13 Harv. L. Rev. 279
  • 71 Vand. L. Rev. 1593
  • 25 Hofstra L. Rev. 377
  • 100 Nw. U. L. Rev. 201
  • 4 Del. L. Rev. 1
  • 1 Stat. 88
  • 35 Geo. L.J. 500

Cited by

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