Blanton v. City of North Las Vegas
United States Supreme Court
489 U.S. 538 (1989)
Relevant factsFree
Melvin Blanton and Mark Fraley (defendants) were denied jury trials for DUI charges carrying a maximum six-month sentence and $1,000 fine, plus license suspension and a public community-service requirement. The Nevada Supreme Court consolidated their cases and held the Sixth Amendment did not guarantee a jury trial because the maximum penalty did not exceed six months. The U.S. Supreme Court granted review.
IssueFree
Whether, in general, jury trial rights apply to petty offenses carrying a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment or less.