Jay V. Johnson v. California
What's at Stake
Reviewing the procedure by which a defendant can establish that the prosecution improperly used its peremptory jury challenges in a racially discriminatory fashion. DECIDED
Summary
In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled that a prosecutor’s use of peremptory challenges to bar prospective jurors on the basis of race is unconstitutional and that the prosecutor must offer a race-neutral explanation for her peremptory challenges once the defendant has made out a prima facie case of race discrimination. In most jurisdictions, a prima facie case is established once the defendant raises an inference of discrimination. California, however, requires the defendant to establish a strong likelihood of discrimination before the prosecutor must respond. The amicus brief filed by the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û and other civil rights groups argues that the California standard is wrong and undermines the goal of eliminating race discrimination in jury selection.
Legal Documents
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02/18/2005
ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û Amicus Brief in Jay V. Johnson v. California
Date Filed: 02/18/2005
Press Releases
ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û Applauds Supreme Court Rulings in Two Cases Charging Racial Bias in Jury Selection