Groppi v. Wisconsin, 400 U.S. 505 (1971)

Groppi v. Wisconsin


No. 26


Argued December 7, 1970
Decided January 25, 1971
400 U.S. 505

APPEAL FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN

Syllabus

State law that categorically prevents a change of venue for a jury trial in a criminal case, regardless of the extent of local prejudice against the defendant, solely on the ground that the crime with which he is charged is a misdemeanor held violative of the right to trial by an impartial jury guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. Pp. 507-512.

41 Wis.2d 312, 164 N.W.2d 266, vacated and remanded.

STEWART, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which DOUGLAS, HARLAN, BRENNAN, WHITE, and MARSHALL, JJ., joined. BLACKMUN, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which BURGER, C.J., joined, post, p. 512. BLACK, J., filed a dissenting opinion, post, p. 515.