Lynch v. Arizona
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
- 578 U.S. 613 (2016)
- Topics
- Sentencing
What did the court decide?
In a short unsigned opinion, the Court held that when a capital defendant's future dangerousness is at issue and the only alternative to death is life without parole, the defendant is entitled to tell the jury he would not be eligible for parole. The possibility of future clemency or law changes does not remove that right.
Why does it matter?
An Arizona case about what a jury may be told in capital sentencing.
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.