Annenberg Classroom - Timelines - Right to Trial by an Impartial Jury

1791

… Sixth Amendment Is Ratified

1880

… Race Bias In Jury Selection Ruled Unconstitutional

1898

… Court Decides Jury Must Have 12 People

1930

… Court Holds Right To Jury Trial Depends On Crime
… Court: Defendant Can Waive Right To Jury Trial

1948

… Justices Say Jury Verdict Must Be Unanimous

1954

… Jury Exclusion Of Certain Ethnic Groups Ruled Unconstitutional

1956

… Court: 'Impartial' Means No Outside Pressure On Jurors

1961

… Court: Excessive Publicity Can Violate Right To Impartial Jury

1965

… Court Defines Proof Of Race-Based Juror Exclusion

1968

… Court: Right To Impartial Jury Applies To State Trials
… 'Risk Of Death' Can't Be Price Of Right To Jury Trial
… Court: Death Penalty Doubts Can't Disqualify Potential Juror

1970

… Six-Month Sentence Triggers Right To A Jury Trial
… Requirement Of 12-Member Jury Is Relaxed

1971

… Justices Rule Jury Trials Not Required In Juvenile Court
… Same Jury Can Decide Guilt, Punishment In Death Penalty Cases

1972

… Justices Relax Requirement On Unanimous Verdicts

1973

… In Certain Cases, Potential Jurors Must Be Questioned On Racial Bias

1975

… Juries Must Be Drawn From Fair Cross Section Of Community

1979

… Court Defines Underrepresentation In Jury Pool

1986

… Peremptory Challenges Based On Race Barred
… Death Penalty Foes Can Be Excluded From Juries

1990

… Court: Fair Cross Section Does Not Apply To Juries

1992

… Restrictions On Challenges Apply To Defense Lawyers, Too

1994

… Exclusion Of Jurors Based On Sex Unconstitutional

2000

… Ruling On Sentencing Opens Door To Challenges

2004

… Court Decision Raises Doubts On Sentencing Guidelines

2005

… Justices Invalidate Federal Sentencing Guidelines

2007

… Calif. Sentencing Guidelines Held Unconstitutional
… Court Returns Sentencing Power To Judges