No. 16-8255October Term 2017Decided May 14, 2018
McCoy v. Louisiana
This case asked whether a criminal defendant’s lawyer can admit the defendant is guilty at trial even when the defendant clearly insists on maintaining innocence.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released May 14, 2018
- What it's about
This case asked whether a criminal defendant’s lawyer can admit the defendant is guilty at trial even when the defendant clearly insists on maintaining innocence. Robert McCoy’s lawyer conceded that McCoy committed three murders in an effort to avoid a death sentence, despite McCoy’s repeated objections.
Question presented
Is it unconstitutional for defense counsel to concede an accused's guilt over the accused's express objection?
- Case path
Supreme Court of Louisiana / Decision released May 14, 2018
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided May 14, 2018
The Court released its decision on May 14, 2018 without hearing oral argument.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology