James Curtis Kern v. California

James Curtis Kern asks the Supreme Court to review the standard appellate courts use when a trial judge dismisses a juror during deliberations. The question is whether the dismissal was based on the juror's view of the case, which could violate the Sixth Amendment right to an impartial jury.

The case is pending, and oral argument has not yet been scheduled.

The standard could affect defendants whose jurors are removed while a verdict is being considered. For example, it could determine how closely an appeals court examines a dismissal of a juror who disagrees with other jurors about the evidence.

The Court may schedule oral argument or take another action on the petition for certiorari (the Court's decision whether to hear a case). No decision window is available yet.

The case concerns the review standard for removing a juror during deliberations when the juror's views of the case may be the reason.

Defendants and jurors could be affected when a trial judge removes a deliberating juror. Appeals courts could face a clarified review standard.

The Supreme Court may schedule oral argument or take another action on the petition. No decision window has been set.