J. E. B. v. Alabama ex rel. T. B. | |
---|---|
Argued November 2, 1993 Decided April 19, 1994 |
|
Full case name | J. E. B., Petitioner v. Alabama ex rel. T. B. |
Citations | 511 U.S. 127 (more)
114 S.Ct. 1419, 64 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 42,967, 128 L.Ed.2d 89, 62 USLW 4219
|
Prior history | Certiorari to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals 606 So.2d 156 |
Holding | |
Intentional discrimination on the basis of gender by state actors in the use of peremptory strikes in jury selection violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. | |
Court membership | |
Case opinions | |
Majority | Blackmun, joined by Stevens, O'Connor, Souter, Ginsburg |
Concurrence | O'Connor |
Concurrence | Kennedy |
Dissent | Rehnquist |
Dissent | Scalia, joined by Rehnquist, Thomas |
Laws applied | |
U.S. Const. amend. XIV |
J. E. B. v. Alabama ex rel. T. B., 511 U.S. 127 (1994), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that making peremptory challenges based solely on a prospective juror's sex is 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.
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.
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.