Document: 347 U.S. 475 74 S.Ct. 667 98 L.Ed. 866 HERNANDEZv.STATE OF TEXAS. No. 406. Argued Jan. 11, 1954. Decided May 3, Messrs. Carlos C. Cadena, San Antonio, Tex., Gus Garcia, for petitioner. Mr. Horace Wimberly, Yoakum, respondent. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The petitioner, Pete Hernandez, was indicted murder one Joe Espinosa by a grand jury in Jackson County, Texas. He convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Texas Court Criminal Appeals affirmed judgment trial court. 251 S.W.2d 531. Prior trial, his counsel, offered timely motions quash indictment panel. alleged that persons Mexican descent were systematically excluded from service as commissioners,1 jurors, petit although there such fully qualified serve residing County. petitioner asserted exclusion this class deprived him, member class, equal protection laws guaranteed Fourteenth Amendment Constitution. After hearing, court denied motions. At renewed, further evidence taken, again denied. An allegation erred denying sole basis petitioner's appeal. In affirming court, considered passed upon substantial federal question raised We granted writ certiorari review decision. 346 811, 52. 2 numerous decisions, has held it is denial try defendant particular race or color under an issued jury, before which all have, solely because color, been State, whether acting through its legislature, courts, executive administrative officers.2 Although had little occasion rule on directly, recognized since Strauder v. State West Virginia, 100 303, 25 664, grounds other than may also deprive who constitutional guarantee laws.3 would have us hold are only two classes—white Negro within contemplation Amendment. decisions do not support view.4 And, except where presented involves juries,5 courts taken broader view scope clause.6 3 Throughout our history differences defined easily identifiable groups at times required aid securing treatment laws. But community prejudices static, time norm define need same protection. Whether group exists fact. When existence distinct demonstrated, shown laws, written applied, single out different based some reasonable classification, guarantees Constitution violated. directed against discrimination due 'two-class theory'—that is, between 'white' Negro. 4 As acknowledges, system selecting jurors use commissions fair face capable being utilized without discrimination.7 held, susceptible abuse can be employed discriminatory manner.8 otherwise eligible their ancestry national origin prohibited statute makes no discrimination, but alleges those administering law do. 5 initial burden substantiating charge prove constitute separate 'whites.'9 One method demonstrated showing attitude community. Here testimony responsible officials citizens contained admission residents distinguished 'Mexican.' participation business slight. Until very recent times, children attend segregated school first four grades.10 least restaurant town prominently displayed sign announcing 'No Mexicans Served.' On courthouse men's toilets, unmarked, marked 'Colored Men' 'Hombres Aqui' ('Men Here'). No rebut logical inference drawn these facts, must concluded succeeded proof. 6 Having established then charged with proving discrimination. To so, he relied pattern proof Norris Alabama, 294 587, 55 579, 584, 79 1074. case, Negroes constituted segment population jurisdiction, none called over extended period time, prima facie systematic service. This holding, sometimes 'rule exclusion,' applied cases,11 available supplying any delineated class. 7 14% County Latin American surnames, 11% males 21 bore names.12 Tax Assessor testified percent freeholders tax rolls descent. stipulated 'for last twenty-five years record person name having served commission, County.'13 parties 'there male who, virtue citizens, freeholders, legal prerequisites service, members and/or jury.'14 8 met imposed supra. strong case thus established, five commissioners they discriminated jurors. They stated objective select whom thought best qualified. enough overcome case. said Alabama: 9 'That long-continued negroes many could mere generalities. If, presence adduced, general assertions performance duty accepted adequate justification complete provision * vain illusory requirement.'15 10 reasoning applicable facts. 11 Circumstances chance well dictate certain will during period. taxes credulity say resulted among six thousand past years. result bespeaks conscious decision part individual commissioner. conviction reversed. 12 revives rejected contention requires proportional representation component ethnic every jury16 ignores did seek representation, nor claim right sit juries faced.17 His tried excluded—juries selected regardless much, entitled 13 Reversed. provides each term judge shall appoint three commissioners. instructs duties. taking oath knowingly juror believe unfit unqualified, retire room county assessment roll names 16 parts county. These placed sealed envelope clerk. Thirty days meets, clerk delivers copy list sheriff summons Vernon's Tex.Code Crim.Proc. arts. 333—350. panel commission. Tex.Civ.Stat. art. 2107. capital cases, special venire furnished 592. See Carter Texas, 177 442, 447, 20 687, 689, 44 839. 'Nor if should excluding naturalized Celtic Irishmen (from service), doubt inconsistency spirit amendment.' page 308, 664. Cf. Sugar Refining Co. Louisiana, 179 89, 92, 43, 44, 45 102. Truax Raich, 239 33, 36 7, 60 131; Takahaski Fish & Game Commission, 334 410, 68 1138, 92 1478; Hirabayashi United States, 320 81, 100, 63 1375, 1385, 87 1774: 'Distinctions nature odious free people whose institutions founded doctrine equality.' Sanchez 147 Tex.Cr.R. 436, 181 87; Salazar 149 260, 193 211; Tex.Cr.App., 243 700. Juarez 102 297, 277 S.W. 1091, Roman Catholics barred Clifton Puente, Tex.Civ.App., 218 272, ruled restrictive covenants prohibiting sale land unenforceable. Smith 311 128, 130, 61 164, 165, 85 84. supra, note 7; Hill 316 400, 62 1159, 86 1559; Cassell 339 282, 70 629, 94 839; Ross 341 918, 71 742, 95 1352. might take judicial notice Marden, Minorities Society; McDonagh Richards, Ethnic Relations States. reason given superintendent segregation needed help learning English. school, however, teacher taught grades, while regular most instances. Most left fifth sixth grade. 8, 1950 census report shows 12,916 1,865, about surnames. Census Population, 1950, Vol. II, pt. p. 180; id., IV, c. C, 45. Of 1,738 native born 65 citizens. Id., 3,754 age 408, Spanish 67. challenges reliance However, just provide ready identification work names. R. 34. 14 55. talesmen. 83. Each item stipulation amply supported adduced hearing. 15 598, 583. Akins 325 398, 403, 1276, 1279, 89 1692; 286—287, 631, 17 16, 1279.

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