Manson v. Brathwaite
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
- 432 U.S. 98 (1977)
What did the court decide?
The Court held that reliability is the "linchpin" in deciding whether an identification made after a suggestive procedure can be used. Courts weigh the Biggers factors against the corrupting effect of the suggestive procedure, rather than automatically excluding the identification.
Why does it matter?
It confirmed the totality-of-the-circumstances approach that most courts use for eyewitness identification challenges.
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.
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General educational information, not legal advice. Not a law firm.