Apprendi v. New Jersey
A plain-English summary from Criminal Defense Resources™, a free resource for pro per/pro se defendants and their families.
General educational information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. This page describes what a court decided in general terms. It does not tell you what to do in any case.
- Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Decided
- Citation
- 530 U.S. 466 (2000)
- Topics
- Sentencing
What did the court decide?
The Court held that, other than a prior conviction, any fact that raises the penalty for a crime beyond the maximum set by law must be decided by a jury and proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
Why does it matter?
Juries, not judges alone, must find facts that push a sentence above the legal maximum.
Where can I read the full opinion?
Read the full opinion on Cornell Law School LII →
Always read the full opinion and check whether later cases have limited or changed it. A summary can leave out important details.
Related rulings
General educational information, not legal advice. Not a law firm.