Curtis v. Loether

Julia Curtis (plaintiff), an African American woman, sued the Loethers (defendants) for racial discrimination in housing under Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, alleging they refused to rent her an apartment. She sought damages and an injunction. The Loethers demanded a jury trial, which the court denied, holding a jury was neither authorized by Title VIII nor required by the Seventh Amendment.

Whether the Seventh Amendment entitles either party to demand a jury trial in an action for damages under Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968.