Skip to main content

No. 24-7435October Term 2025Decided Dec 8, 2025

Docket 24-7435October Term 2025 (2025–2026)

Antonio Nathaniel Davenport, Jr., Petitioner v. United States

This case addressed whether a trial court is constitutionally required to provide a specific definition of "reasonable doubt" to a jury upon a defendant's request.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Dec 8, 2025
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedDec 8, 2025
What it's about

This case addressed whether a trial court is constitutionally required to provide a specific definition of "reasonable doubt" to a jury upon a defendant's request. The Supreme Court held that the Constitution neither prohibits courts from defining the term nor mandates that they do so.

Question presented

Whether a trial court is constitutionally required to provide a specific definition of "reasonable doubt" to a jury upon a defendant's request.

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit / Decision released Dec 8, 2025

Area

Decided Supreme Court case

Timing

Decided December 8, 2025

The Court released its decision on December 8, 2025 without hearing oral argument.

Grounding