Missouri v. Frye
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
- 566 U.S. 134 (2012)
What did the court decide?
The Court held that defense lawyers generally have a duty to tell their clients about formal plea offers from the prosecution that may be favorable. Failing to do so can be ineffective assistance of counsel.
Why does it matter?
The right to effective counsel covers plea bargaining, where most criminal cases are resolved.
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.