John David Trice v. Texas

John David Trice has asked the Supreme Court to review a Texas law covering continuous sexual abuse. The law says jurors need not unanimously agree on which specific acts occurred, and Trice argues that conflicts with the constitutional right to a unanimous jury verdict.

A petition for certiorari (the Court's decision whether to hear a case) has been filed, and oral argument has not been scheduled.

The case could affect defendants charged under Texas's continuous-sexual-abuse law and the instructions juries receive. For example, jurors could agree that abuse occurred over time while disagreeing about the particular acts they believe were proved.

The Court may decide whether to grant certiorari or take another scheduling action. No oral argument date or decision window is available yet.

The case asks whether Texas may allow a conviction without jurors agreeing on the same specific acts of sexual abuse.

People charged under the Texas law, alleged victims, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and jurors could be affected by the Court's response to the petition.

The Supreme Court will decide whether to review the petition. Oral argument has not been scheduled.