No. 24-7050

Juan Carlos Sotelo v. United States

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2025-04-22
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: due-process judicial-discretion juror-dismissal jury-selection legal-standard trial-procedure
Latest Conference: 2025-05-29
Question Presented (from Petition)

Dismissal of a juror based on a purported unwillingness or inability to follow the law is impermissible when the impetus for the dismissal stems from the juror's views on the merits of the case. Is the standard for dismissal a "demonstrable reality" the juror's views on the merits are the impetus, "any possibility" the juror's views on the merits are the impetus, only "any reasonable possibility" the juror's views on the merits are the impetus, or only "any substantial possibility" the juror's views on the merits are the impetus?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the standard for dismissing a juror based on views on the merits of the case is a 'demonstrable reality', 'any possibility', 'any reasonable possibility', or 'any substantial possibility'

Docket Entries

2025-06-02
Petition DENIED.
2025-05-14
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/29/2025.
2025-05-07
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2025-05-07
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2025-04-17
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due May 22, 2025)

Attorneys

Juan Carlos Sotelo
Carlton Frederick Gunn — Petitioner
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent