Sidley filed an opening merits brief in the Supreme Court in defense of the rights of prisoners in Louisiana and Oregon who were convicted by non-unanimous juries under state laws the Supreme Court invalidated earlier this year. In April, the Supreme Court recognized that non-unanimous jury rules in Louisiana and Oregon offended the Constitution and were rooted in discrimination based on race and religion. But the Court left open the question of whether those already in prison as a result of non-unanimous jury verdicts could challenge their convictions in federal habeas proceedings. Sidley now urges the Supreme Court to hold that prisoners convicted by non-unanimous juries should have a path to a new trial.
The Sidley team includes partner Jeff Green (Washington, D.C.), associates Andy Talai, Summer Wall, and Collin Wedel (all from the firm’s Los Angeles office), and associates Ben Gillig, Naomi Igra, and Matt Henry (all from the firm’s San Francisco office).
To read the full brief, click here.
