No. 25-7608October Term 2025Before Arguments
Jacob Justice Stephen, Petitioner v. Florida
from the District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Accepted by the Court
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
Question presented
Whether Petitioner was deprived of his right, under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments, to a trial by a 12-person jury when the defendant is charged with a serious felony?
- Case path
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District / Accepted by the Court
- Area
Supreme Court case awaiting argument
Timing
Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term
The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.
Briefing
What it's about
Jacob Justice Stephen has asked the Supreme Court to hear a Florida case about jury size. He says the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments entitled him to a 12-person jury because he was charged with a serious felony.
Argument
The case is still at the petition stage, and oral argument has not been scheduled. Stephen's filing asks whether the Constitution required a 12-person jury for a serious felony charge.
Impact
The case could affect people charged with serious felonies in Florida. For example, a defendant could argue that a smaller jury did not satisfy the Constitution.
What is Jacob Justice Stephen v. Florida about?
Stephen says the Constitution gave him a right to a 12-person jury because he was charged with a serious felony in Florida. He is asking the Supreme Court to hear that question.
Who could be affected if the Court takes this jury case?
People charged with serious felonies in Florida could be affected. A defendant could argue that a smaller jury did not satisfy the Constitution.
What happens next in Stephen v. Florida?
The Court first has to decide whether to hear the case. No decision window is available yet, so watch for oral argument or another scheduling move.
Related cases
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
- Jul 17, 2026
- Method
- Methodology