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African Americans: Equality & Law- Weapon or Tool?
Resource 4 . 1
9 minutes

Batson v. Kentucky

Johnathan McCaskill

In this case the Court reexamines the practice of using peremptory challenges to exclude members of the defendant’s race from the jury.

As you read this case, think about who is negatively affected if prosecutors can systematically strike potential jurors because of their race. Also think about the steps the defense lawyer would have to follow in order to get a court to say that the prosecution unlawfully used race to strike potential jurors.

Supreme Court of the United States
476 U.S. 79, 90 L. Ed. 2d 69, 106 S. Ct. 1712, 1986 U.S. LEXIS 150, SCDB 1985-078
No. 84-6263
1986-04-30

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