505 U.S. 42
McCollum v. California is a landmark case that addressed the application of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in the context of jury selection by criminal defendants.
Does the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibit a criminal defendant from exercising peremptory challenges in a racially discriminatory manner?
Under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, neither the prosecution nor the defense in a criminal trial may engage in purposeful racial discrimination in the jury selection process.
The Supreme Court held that the Equal Protection Clause applies to peremptory challenges made by criminal defendants, thereby prohibiting the exclusion of potential jurors solely based on race.
This case is pivotal for law students as it underscores the broader application of Equal Protection principles in the realm of jury selection. It highlights the court's commitment to eliminating racial biases in legal proceedings, thereby reinforcing the notion that discrimination on racial grounds is impermissible, regardless of whether perpetrated by the prosecution or defense.