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Docket 79-1127
Docket 79-1127

Estelle v. Smith

```json {

Status
Decided
Decision released
May 18, 1981

Decision briefing

The case in plain English

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What are the basics?

```json { "summary": "The Court ruled that a capital defendant's Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights were violated when a psychiatrist testified about the defendant's future dangerousness based on a pretrial examination conducted without Miranda warnings or notice to counsel.", "questionPresented": "Whether the admission of a psychiatrist's testimony at the penalty phase of a capital trial, based on a pretrial psychiatric examination conducted without warning the defendant of his right to remain silent or notifying his counsel, violates the Fifth and Sixth Amendments." } ```

Where things stand

Timeline

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Case Accepted
Arguments HeardUpcoming
Decision ReleasedMay 18, 1981

Source note

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Page data last refreshed Mar 8, 2026.

Primary materials

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Opinions

Estelle
opinionBy Burger, Brennan, White, Blackmuh, Stevens, Marshall, Stewart, Powell, Rehnquist

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