Document: 447 U.S. 323 100 S.Ct. 2214 65 L.Ed.2d 159 Darnell BROWN, Petitioner,v.State of LOUISIANA. No. 79-5364. Argued March 25, 1980. Decided June 16, Syllabus While petitioner's appeal from his felony conviction—based on a nonunanimous six-person jury verdict—was pending in the Louisiana Supreme court, Burch v. Louisiana, 441 130, 99 1623, 60 96, was decided, holding unconstitutional those provisions Constitution and Code Criminal Procedure that sanctioned conviction nonpetty offense by six. The Court thereafter affirmed conviction, rule supra, should not be applied retroactively to cases tried juries empaneled prior date decision. Held: judgment is reversed, case remanded. Pp. 327-337; 337. La., 371 So.2d 746, reversed 1 Mr. Justice BRENNAN, joined STEWART, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, concluded constitutional principle announced criminal state court violates accused's right trial guaranteed Sixth Amendment as States through Fourteenth Amendment, given retroactive application. 327-337. 2 (a) test for deciding whether new doctrine contemplates consideration (i) purpose served doctrine; (ii) extent reliance law enforcement authorities old standards; (iii) impact administration justice application standards. Foremost among these factors first, controlling significance will only when factor does clearly favor retroactivity or prospectivity. 327-329. 3 (b) established concurrence six jurors constitutionally required preserve substance assure reliability jury's verdict. rule's eliminate practice threatened ability properly perform its function determining truth serious requires 330-334. 4 (c) Due regard State's good-faith standards counsel contrary result. Here, element justifiable pre-Burch minimal, since unlike other have been accorded prospective effect only, did overrule any decisions this invalidate heretofore unquestioned legitimacy. Similarly, here devastating law, it appears 1979 two permitted offenses six-member jury, one them—Louisiana—did institute scheme until 1975. Moreover, decision affect validity all convictions obtained under Louisiana's during 4-year period but which can shown verdict less than unanimous. 335-337. 5 POWELL, STEVENS, being view rules apply still direct review, such instant case, concurred judgment. P. 6 John M. Lawrence, New Orleans, petitioner. 7 Thomas Chester, respondent, pro hac vice, special leave Court. 8 BRENNAN delivered an opinion, BLACKMUN joined. 9 96 (1979), held Amendments. issue 10 * On July 31, 1978, petitioner Brown charged bill information Orleans Parish with simple burglary, punishable confinement parish prison penitentiary maximum term 12 years. La.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 14:62 (West Supp.1979). At time, provided crimes persons, five whom must concur render verdict.1 Before trial, filed motion quash pursuant Art. 532(9) Procedure, arguing "due process rights Amendments United enunciated Ballew Georgia, [435 223, 98 1029, 55 234 (1978)], violated unanimous vote person jury." App. 5. Petitioner therefore requested order or, alternative, require 6. 11 Petitioner's denied, August 23 commenced before jury. That same afternoon, after deliberating approximately hour, returned guilty. request, polled ascertained their convict. Sentencing set 30, at time renewed objection trial. judge again denied sentenced 22 years' imprisonment hard labor.2 appealed Court, assigning principal error judge's refusal grant quash. April 17, 1979, while review courts, Some weeks later, May 21, conviction. Although implicitly acknowledged verdicts future prosecutions burglary,3 nonetheless concluded, without elaboration, "the Burch, decision." 748 (1979) (emphasis original). We granted certiorari. 440 990, 520, 62 419 (1979). reverse. II 13 Linkletter Walker, 381 618, 85 1731, 14 601 (1965), first instance declined respecting Bill Rights benefit previously convicted defendant. In intervening 15 years, we often considered question expounding procedure, endeavored elaborate appropriate are retrospective effect. From welter has developed area, several unequivocal principles emerge guide our analysis present case. It now uncontroverted neither prohibits nor effect." Id., 629, S.Ct., 1737. Thus, although had become final promulgation rule, see id., 628, n. 13, 1737, firmly settled "in may interest make . where exigencies situation application." 1737; Johnson Jersey, 384 719, 726-727, 86 1772, 1777, 16 882 (1966). clear resolution automatically turn particular provision prescription based. "Each procedure own distinct functions, background precedent, justice, way combine inevitably vary dictate involved." 728, 1778. Accordingly, consistently employed decide three criteria: "(a) standards, standards." Stovall Denno, 388 293, 297, 87 1967, 1970, 18 1199 (1967). establish "[f]oremost rule," Desist States, 394 244, 249, 89 1030, 1033, 248 (1969), give measure "only [does] either prospectivity." 251, 1035; Michigan Payne, 412 47, 55, 93 1966, 36 736 (1973); also Hankerson North Carolina, 432 233, 242-244, 97 2339, 2345, 53 306 (1977); Adams Illinois, 405 278, 280, 92 916, 918, 31 202 (1972) (plurality opinion J.). "Where major overcome aspect substantially impairs truth-finding so raises questions about accuracy guilty past trials, complete Neither federal accepted practice, severe sufficed circumstances." Williams 401 646, 653, 91 1148, 1152, 28 (1971) WHITE, Accord, U.S., 243, 2345; Gosa Mayden, 413 665, 679, 2926, 2935, 37 873 (1973) J.); Ivan V. City York, 407 203, 204, 1951, 1952, 32 659 (1972). 17 Finally, recognized "is necessarily matter degree." 729, Constitutional protections frequently fashioned serve multiple ends; standard marginally implicate integrity factfinding process, designed primarily foster other, equally fundamental values system jurisprudence.4 Not every "tends incidentally" avoid unfairness 680, 2936 So, too, additional safeguards already exist minimize likelihood injustices.5 short, "[t]he condemned infects truth-determining 'question probabilities.' " 298, 1970 (quoting 1778). And assessment probabilities indicates casts doubt upon determinations guilt procedural retroactively.6 III With mind, then, presented case: conclude must. A. 19 right, essential preventing miscarriages assuring fair trials defendants." Duncan 391 145, 158, 88 1444, 1452, 20 491 (1968). Trial long regarded indispensable protection against possibility governmental oppression; history development demonstrates "a tradition attaching great importance concept relying body one's peers determine innocence safeguard arbitrary enforcement." Florida, 399 78, 87, 90 1893, 1899, 26 446 (1970). "Given purpose, feature obviously lies interposition between accused accuser commonsense group laymen, community participation shared responsibility results group's determination innocence." 100, 1906. guarantee prescribes precise number constitute supra (six-person violate Amendments), exact proportion Apodaca Oregon, 406 404, 1628, 184 (10-to-2 Constitution), declared there do size unanimity limits cannot transgressed if essence maintained. Thus 435 (1978), reduction below persons substantial doubts fairness proceeding represent true sense deprives For "much reasons," "conviction members presents similar threat preservation guarantee" hence Fourteenth. 138, 1628. Though line separating permissible impermissible brightest, cf. 137, 1627; 231-232, 1034-1035 (opinion 245-246, 1041-1042 J.), drawn somewhere, inviolability border scrupulously respected lest functioning seriously impaired. 21 think apparent rationale behind mandates BLACKMUN's Ballew7 cataloged considerations led operation inhibited significant degree reducing members. Prominent concerns recognition, supported empirical studies,8 decline leads accurate greater risk convicting innocent person. 232-235, 1035-1036.9 addition, statistical data because concomitant decrease hung juries, panel unfairly disadvantages side—the defense. 236, 1037.10 Lastly, noted opportunity meaningful minority representation diminishes 236-237, 1037.11 Identical underlay Burch. 5-to-0 poses proper role significantly alleviated instead addition sixth, dissenting, ballot. When requirement abandoned, "additional" juror essentially superfluous. prosecution's demonstrated inability convince certainly nothing allay concern another five-person statistically increase representativeness body, relinquishment removes voices actually heard.12 sum, difficult envision more fundamentally implicates trial—the very fact-finding process." 639, 1743. "The basic truth," Tehan ex rel. Shott, 382 406, 416, 459, 465, 453 (1966), entrusted making cases. Any threatens itself. directed toward elimination just practice. Its therefore, application.13 B 24 countervailing considerations—the justice—does minimal here. Unlike See, e. g., 250-251, 1034; 300, 1971; 417, 465. "Therefore, build State wring decision[s] negative implication" offend Amendment's guarantee. See 925 (Douglas, J., dissenting). Yet implication opinions could doubtful constitutionality. (1970), example, highlighted fact approved 46, 1905, 46. Burch's distinctly foreshadowed Ballew, handed down months specifically cited mandating 325-326. Cf. Berger California, 393 314, 315, 540, 541, 508 (1969). 25 confident law. States—Louisiana Oklahoma—permitted 12, 1627, least, 1975.14 Furthermore, today's period, who would retried released approach magnitude involved some previous 637, 1742 (retroactive "tax utmost"); 419, 467 ("an need no elaboration"); DeStefano Woods, 392 631, 634, 2093, 2095, 1308 What little disruption "must part price pay former failures provide procedures." 927 reversed. remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 27 ordered. STEVENS joins, concurring 29 This appeal. Ante, 326. Since I believe review," 248, 2348, (1977) (Powell, judgment), reversing 30 REHNQUIST, THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHITE join, dissenting. am agreement content applicable gauging retroactivity, Court's most important probable persons. As states, retroactively." 329. precedents common experience supports conclusion 5-to-1 inherently unreliable. Just overstated error, understated burdens associated ruling. 655, 7, 1154, (1971), "presents were factually incorrect." (1977), similarly "major purpose" correct "substantially function" raising "serious trials" imposed. Quite simply, five-sixths reach finding guilt, probability wrong. 33 stresses suggesting studies indicated declines reduced. But citations used support probably inaccurate. First, relies heavily conclusions too small ensure effective deliberation someone memory abilities sufficient aid deliberations. 241, 1039. These satisfied composed members, even dissent. fact, 356, 361, 1620, 152 (1972), presence dissenting strongly inference engaged deliberation: 34 "We grounds believing majority jurors, aware power over liberty defendant, simply refuse listen arguments them acquittal, terminate discussion, far likely presenting reasoned argument acquittal answered carry enough him prevent A cease discussion outvote ceased persuasive purpose—when minority, is, continues insist having reasons position. juncture basis denigrating large refusing accept being, least minds, beyond reasonable doubt." 35 requirements found critical. Further, quite persuasion evidenced meet proved doubt. Johnson, 9-to-3 satisfy due words, acceptable impressive yet said Johnson. then true, unacceptable erroneous retroactively. There weakness estimation probabilities. knowing voting acquit firm pressure fellow jurors. speculation what happened six-man amounts that: speculation. "Allen charges" exercise supervisory authority, say holdout might ultimately persuaded five-member majority. ruling odds (1973), both cases, rulings totally circumstances afforded. Nevertheless, stated DeStefano, "values implemented measurably requiring retrial procedures consistent trial." 2095. deprivations addressed based 38 unduly minimized greatly underestimated judicial system. reason credit presumption enacted good faith. Prior 1974, allowed certain offenses. La.Const., 41 (1921). 1974 replaced provision. coordinator legal research Convention explained he believed Federal Constitution, reasoning: 39 "A upheld 78 [90 446] If 75 per cent (9/12) determined 356 [92 152] 83 (5/6) ought within Johnson." Hargrave, Declaration La.L.Rev. 1, 56, 300 (1974). 40 record suggests administrative substantial. four alone, defendants juries. Brief Respondent 24, 43. various courts apparently keep vote. 28, 49. potential states defendant fact" six, how occurred records? 336. Gosa, : "Wholesale invalidation rendered years ago well mean freed retrial, witnesses longer readily available, memories added, records incomplete missing, physical evidence disappeared. Society made tolerate result kind concerning 685, 2938-2939. 42 "lines somewhere" 239, 1038, retry reliable factfinders. Article provides: punishment capital shall twelve labor ten full voir dire examination challenge peremptorily. challenges fixed Except knowingly intelligently waive (Emphasis added.) 782(A), La.Code Crim.Proc.Ann. Supp.1978), provided: "Cases Cases verdict." Following statutory amended La. Acts, 2. Because convictions, habitual offender 15:529.1 Jackson, 370 570, decided 19, applies date. 415, (1966); 729-730, 681-682, 2936-2937, 730, 1779; 299, 1971, (1967); 54, (1973). distinguishing characteristic doctrines described myriad formulations. 727-728, 1778 ("the affected 'the process' averted danger innocent' "); ("rules flaws trial"); Roberts Russell, 295, 1921, 1922, 1100 (1968) reliably determined"); 1152-1153, J.) [is] unreliable results"); use 'condemned practice' incorrect"); U. S. Coin & Currency, 715, 723, 1041, 1045, 434, 1046 ("a undermine[s] 724, failure employ meant chance men wrongfully punished past"); 61-62, (MARSHALL, dissenting) central innocence, whose defendant"). verbalisms vary, encompass notion 224, 1031. MARSHALL insofar contain statute prosecution predicated overboard facially unconstitutional. 246, 1042. statement judgment, 245, separate Ibid. Almost 10, 1034-1035, prompted comparing 12- 6-member observed: "What few experiments occurred—usually civil area—indicate discernible difference reached different-sized juries." 101, showed decreases, reduces "correct" truly represents consensus produces aberrant compromise verdicts. 234-235, 1036. why so. practical reprosecute produced effectively acquittal. Second, effects witnesses' benefits exposure generally retrial. show prone convict acquit, 235, 1036, lead comparatively acquittals, thus operating defendant's disadvantage. considerations, concluded: assembled raise panels smaller American promotes inaccurate possibly biased decisionmaking, causes untoward differences verdicts, prevents representing communities, attains significance." 1038-1039. permits decreases views faction produce creating imbalance detriment supra. viewpoint 10% community, 12-member expected include representative 72% 47% 5-member 41% time. More purposes, however, 11% authority explained: observe abandonment vengeance, nullifying potency viewpoints outright equivalent agree Zeisel, Then Were None: Diminution Jury, U.Chi.L.Rev. 710, 722 (1971). Saks, Jury Verdicts (1977). Nonetheless, respondent contends controlled (1968), refused extension argues absence impair surely mere single compel bears repeating, nonretroactivity based." ensuring Witherspoon 510, 523, 22, 1770, 776 (newly selecting retroactively). Rather, "we 'in each case' looking peculiar traits specific 'rule question'." Once realized, DeStefano. tends arbitrariness repression, 633, rest premise 'that trial—or trial—held alone unfair never fairly treated jury.' 633-634, Daniel 420 95 704, 790 (1975); 680-681, 2936-2937. existed light entail, prospectively only. fit DeStefano's mold. discussed text, guarantees process. explain below, laws. 1968, jury; optional, mandatory, 5; felonies 12. Legislature code Comment, Implications Duncan, 118 Legislature, revision allow labor. Ex.Sess., Nos. 25. alterations January Oklahoma misdemeanors violation ordinances regulations cities towns. Okla.Const., 2, 19.

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