Crist v. Bretz, 437 U.S. 28 (1978)

Crist v. Bretz


No. 76-1200


Argued November 1, 1977
Reargued March 22, 1978
Decided June 14, 1978
437 U.S. 28

APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

Syllabus

The federal rule that jeopardy attaches in a jury trial when the jury is empaneled and sworn, a rule that reflects and protects the defendant’s interest in retaining a chosen jury, is an integral part of the Fifth Amendment guarantee against double jeopardy made applicable to the States by the Fourteenth Amendment. Hence, a Montana statute providing that jeopardy does not attach until the first witness is sworn cannot constitutionally be applied in a jury trial. Pp. 32-38.

546 F. d 1336, affirmed.

STEWART, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which BRENNAN, WHITE, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, and STEVENS, JJ., joined. BLACKMUN, J., filed a concurring opinion, post, p. 38. BURGER, C.J., filed a dissenting opinion, post, p. 39. POWELL, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which BURGER, C.J., and REHNQUIST, J., joined, post, p. 40.