No. 25-166October Term 2025Petition Pending
Jose Joya Parada, Oscar Armando Sorto Romero, Milton Portillo Rodriguez, and Juan Carlos Sandoval Rodriguez v. United States
The petitioners ask the Court to reconsider its earlier ruling that the Sixth Amendment permits criminal juries with fewer than 12 members.
Case status
- Current stage
- Petition Pending
- Latest event
- Petition pending
- Decision timing
- No decision timeline until the Court agrees to hear the case.
- What it's about
The petitioners ask the Court to reconsider its earlier ruling that the Sixth Amendment permits criminal juries with fewer than 12 members. They argue that Ramos v. Louisiana requires the jury-trial right to be defined by its historical meaning, which they say includes a 12-person jury.
Question presented
Whether Williams v. Florida, 399 U.S. 78 (1970), should be overruled?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit / Petition pending
- Area
Petition for review pending
Briefing
What it's about
The petitioners ask the Supreme Court to overturn Williams v. Florida, which said the Sixth Amendment does not require 12-person criminal juries. They argue that the Amendment's historical meaning requires a 12-member jury.
Argument
The case is pending, and oral argument has not been scheduled. The petitioners argue that Ramos requires the jury-trial right to be defined by its historical meaning rather than a functional approach.
Impact
The case could affect criminal defendants tried by juries smaller than 12 people. For example, a defendant facing trial before a six-person jury could gain a claim to a 12-person panel if the Court reconsiders Williams.
What is at stake in Parada v. United States?
The case asks whether the Sixth Amendment requires 12-person criminal juries and whether Williams v. Florida should be overturned.
Who could be affected by a ruling on jury size?
Criminal defendants tried by juries smaller than 12 members could be affected. Courts could also need to change jury-selection practices.
What happens next in Parada v. United States?
The Court may schedule oral argument or make another scheduling move. No decision timing has been set.
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology