McCoy v. Louisiana
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
- 584 U.S. 414 (2018)
What did the court decide?
The Court held that a defendant has the right to insist that his lawyer not admit guilt at trial, even when the lawyer believes admitting guilt is the best way to avoid a death sentence. Violating that choice is a "structural" error that requires a new trial without any separate showing of harm.
Why does it matter?
Some decisions belong to the defendant, not the lawyer. The basic goal of the defense, such as maintaining innocence, is the defendant's call.
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.