J. E. B. v. Alabama ex rel. T. B., 511 U.S. 127 (1994), was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States holding that peremptory challenges based solely on a prospective juror's sex are unconstitutional. J.E.B. extended the court's existing precedent in Batson v. Kentucky (1986), which found race-based peremptory challenges in criminal trials unconstitutional, and Edmonson v. Leesville Concrete Company (1991), which extended that principle to civil trials. As in Batson, the court found that sex-based challenges violate the Equal Protection Clause.
Background
On behalf of T.B., the mother of a minor child, the state sued J.E.B. for child support in Jackson County, Alabama. During jury selection, challenges intentionally targeted male potential jurors resulting in an all-female jury.
Decision
The majority opinion was written by Justice Blackmun. Justice O'Connor wrote a concurring opinion, and Justice Kennedy separately concurred in the judgment. Chief Justice Rehnquist filed a separate dissenting opinion. Justice Scalia also filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Chief Justice Rehnquist and Justice Thomas.
See also
- Hoyt v. Florida (1961)
- List of United States Supreme Court cases, volume 511
- List of United States Supreme Court cases
- Lists of United States Supreme Court cases by volume
- List of United States Supreme Court cases by the Rehnquist Court
References
Further reading
- Currie, C. M.; Pillick, A. M. (1996). "Sex Discrimination in the Selection and Participation of Female Jurors: A Post-J.E.B. Analysis". Judges' Journal. 35 (1): 2–6, 38–41. ISSN 0047-2972.
- Harden, L. L. M. (1995). "The End of the Peremptory Challenge? The Implications of J.E.B. v. Alabama ex rel T.B. for Jury Selection in Alabama". Alabama Law Review. 47: 243. ISSN 0002-4279.
- Wichterman, S. L. (1995). "JEB v. Alabama ex rel. TB: Gender-Based Peremptory Challenges on Trial". Northern Illinois University Law Review. 16: 209. ISSN 0734-1490. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009.
External links
- Text of J. E. B. v. Alabama ex rel. T. B., 511 U.S. 127 (1994) is available from: CourtListener Findlaw Google Scholar Justia Library of Congress Oyez (oral argument audio)
