Duncan v. Louisiana: Examining the Right to Jury Trial in the US

This case study analyzes the landmark case of Duncan v. Louisiana, which addressed the right to a jury trial under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The assignment begins by outlining the facts of the case, where Duncan was arrested and convicted for battery without a jury trial. The case then discusses how the Supreme Court examined whether the state's legal guidelines were in conformity with the present legal system. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Duncan, asserting that the right to a jury trial is a fundamental component of the American justice system, especially in cases where the potential sentence exceeds a certain duration. The study emphasizes the importance of jury trials in criminal cases and highlights the Supreme Court's decision, which set a precedent for ensuring this right is upheld. The case study includes the reference of the case and a journal article.

Running head: RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL
RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL
In the case of Duncan v. Louisiana, it was held that Duncan was a black American,
who while driving through the highway saw his two cousins with a group of white boys and
misunderstood that his cousins were being bullied by the group of white boys. He then
stopped the car near them and asked his cousins to get in the car. Duncan was arrested by the
police and charged with battery for slapping one of the boys. The state because of the nature
of the crime, did not arrange the jury trial for this case and the court convicted Duncan for
two months for simple battery along with the fine of $150. Duncan appealed to the Louisiana
State Supreme Court stating that his fundamental right to impartial jury trial guaranteed by
the sixth and fourteenth amendment of the constitution has been violated.
The Supreme Court held that, though battery is a simple offense but it can be listed
under the category of serious offence because in case of a battery punishment can be given up
to two years. Furthermore, as per the Federal Law and 49 states of USA recognized that in
such case of crime, where a person can be sentenced for more than one year, are subject to
jury trial. Even the Constitution of USA through its sixth and fourteenth amendment
guaranteed the right to impartial jury trial in cases of criminal offenses (O'Malley 2018). The
court found out that legal guidelines of Louisiana State are not in conformity with the present
legal system and pronounced jury trial in favour of Duncan with a majority of 7-2 stating that
it is fundamental to have a jury trial for criminal cases in American Justice System.

2RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL
Reference:
Duncan v. Louisiana, 391 U.S. 145, 88 S.Ct. 1444, 20 L.Ed.2d 491 (1968).
O'Malley, K.M., 2018. Trial by Jury: Why It Works and Why It Matters. Am. UL Rev., 68,
p.1095.