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No. 22-899October Term 2023Decided Jun 21, 2024

Docket 22-899October Term 2023 (2023–2024)

Smith v. Arizona

The Supreme Court ruled that a criminal defendant's Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause rights were violated when a substitute expert witness testified about the findings of a non-testifying forensic analyst.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jun 21, 2024
Case AcceptedSep 29, 2023
Arguments HeardJan 10, 2024
Decision ReleasedJun 21, 2024
What it's about

The Supreme Court ruled that a criminal defendant's Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause rights were violated when a substitute expert witness testified about the findings of a non-testifying forensic analyst. The Court held that when an expert conveys an absent analyst's statements to support their own opinion, those statements are effectively being introduced for their truth, requiring the defendant to have the opportunity to cross-examine the original analyst.

Question presented

Does the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment permit the prosecution in a criminal trial to present testimony by a substitute expert conveying the testimonial statements of a nontestifying forensic analyst?

Case path

State appellate court / Decision released Jun 21, 2024

Area

Decided Supreme Court case