No. 19-8269October Term 2019Decided May 18, 2020
James v. United States
This case asks whether forensic pathology reports are considered testimonial evidence under the Confrontation Clause of the Constitution.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released May 18, 2020
- What it's about
This case asks whether forensic pathology reports are considered testimonial evidence under the Confrontation Clause of the Constitution. This determination affects whether the authors of such reports must be available for cross-examination in court.
Question presented
Whether forensic pathology reports are considered testimonial evidence under the Confrontation Clause of the Constitution.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit / Decision released May 18, 2020
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided May 18, 2020
The Court released its decision on May 18, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Mar 31, 2026
- Method
- Methodology