Estelle v. Smith
```json {
- Status
- Decided
- Decision released
- May 18, 1981
Decision briefing
The case in plain English
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
Source note
How this page is sourced
This page is grounded in official case materials and tracker data.
Page data last refreshed Mar 8, 2026.
Primary materials
Documents & resources
Opinions
Recent coverage
In the news
More to watch