Alridge v. Louisiana
In brief
The Supreme Court wiped out (vacated) the Louisiana appeals court's judgment and sent the case back to the lower court (remanded), without deciding whether a unanimous jury verdict was required.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · April 27, 2020
- What it’s about
- This case involves a petition for review of a decision by the Court of Appeal of Louisiana, which the Supreme Court agreed to hear.
- Who it affects
- The Louisiana appeals court's judgment no longer controls this case, but the Supreme Court did not decide whether a unanimous verdict is required for a state non-capital felony.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
Rather than settle the jury-unanimity question, the Court used a procedural order to send this Louisiana case back in light of Ramos v. Louisiana.
Question presented
Whether the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial, as applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, requires a unanimous jury verdict to convict a defendant of a non-capital felony?
What the Court decided
Holding
Motion to proceed in forma pauperis and petition for a writ of certiorari GRANTED. Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED for further consideration in light of Ramos v. Louisiana , 590 U. S. ___ (2020). Justice Alito, concurring in the decision to grant, vacate, and remand: In this and in all other cases in which the Court grants, vacates, and remands in light of Ramos v. Louisiana , I concur in the judgment on the understanding that the Court is not deciding or expressing a view on whether the question was properly raised below but is instead leaving that question to be decided on remand.
- Result
- Vacated
What's next
The Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit, must reconsider the case in light of Ramos v. Louisiana. It must also decide whether the jury-unanimity issue was properly raised below.
Why it matters
The Louisiana court must reconsider the case in light of Ramos and address whether the issue was properly raised below.
Documents
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Status changed from pending to decided
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Brief added: Petition
More questions
- What did the Supreme Court do in Alridge v. Louisiana?
- It wiped out (vacated) the lower-court judgment and sent the case back to that court (remanded) for reconsideration under Ramos v. Louisiana. The order did not decide the jury-unanimity question.
- Was the jury-unanimity question decided in Alridge v. Louisiana?
- No. The Supreme Court did not decide whether a non-capital felony conviction requires a unanimous jury verdict. The lower court must also decide whether that issue was properly raised below.
- What happens next in Alridge v. Louisiana?
- The Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit, must reconsider the case in light of Ramos v. Louisiana. It must decide whether the jury-unanimity issue was properly raised below.
- Did Alridge v. Louisiana decide who won?
- No. This order did not decide the main legal question or identify a winner. It wiped out the lower-court judgment and sent the case back for reconsideration.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.