Speakeasy Ideas
The Law episode 79: Ramos v. Louisiana
Earlier this year, in the case of Ramos v. Louisiana, SCOTUS overturned precedent by a 6-3 margin and held that states cannot convict someone of a criminal offense unless the jury verdict is unanimous.
Evangelisto Ramos had been convicted by a 10-2 verdict and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Louisiana. Ramos was granted a new trial by this decision. That seems simple enough.
The real issue, however, was the deeper question of just how important precedents are, and when incorrectly decided precedents should be overturned. The subtext of that issue is all about a future possible challenge to Roe v. Wade.
LINKS
The case itself: Ramos v. Louisiana (2020)
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