Thaler v. Haynes

Holding: Without hearing oral argument, the Court summarily reversed a lower court decision that appeared to hold that a trial judge must find that a prosecutor dismissed a jury for a discriminatory (and therefore unconstitutional) reason, when the only justification the prosecutor can give for the dismissal was based on the demeanor of the juror, but the trial judge resolving the challenge to the dismissal did not personally observe the juror.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded in a per curiam opinion on February 22, 2010.

Briefs and Documents

Certiorari-Stage Documents

• Opinion below (5th Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner’s reply