Ring 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
- 536 U.S. 584 (2002)
- Topics
- Sentencing
What did the court decide?
The Court held that Arizona's death-penalty system, which let a judge alone find the aggravating factors needed for a death sentence, violated the right to a jury trial. A jury must find those factors.
Why does it matter?
This Arizona case changed how capital sentencing works in Arizona and other states.
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.