Smith v. Jackson
In brief
The Supreme Court refused to hear Smith’s case, leaving the Fourth Circuit’s ruling for Jackson in place without deciding the jury-unanimity issue.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · April 27, 2020
- What it’s about
- The Supreme Court denied David Lee Smith’s petition for review, leaving the Fourth Circuit’s ruling in favor of Rick Jackson in place. The Court did not decide whether the Sixth Amendment requires unanimous jury verdicts for state criminal convictions.
- Who it affects
- The Fourth Circuit’s ruling in favor of Rick Jackson remains in place, but the Supreme Court did not decide whether the Sixth Amendment requires unanimous verdicts for serious state offenses.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The dispute involves the Sixth Amendment’s jury-trial right as applied to state cases through the Fourteenth Amendment.
Question presented
Whether the Sixth Amendment's 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 serious offense?
What the Court decided
Holding
Petition DENIED.
What's next
The Supreme Court has finished this docket action. Its denial leaves the Fourth Circuit’s ruling in place; this order did not resolve the constitutional question.
Documents
Opinions
Key filings
Docket activity
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AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
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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.