No. 25-6631

Juan Jose Zarate Sanchez v. Texas

Lower Court: Texas
Docketed: 2026-01-20
Status: Pending
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: criminal-procedure due-process impartial-jury jury-selection sixth-amendment voir-dire
Latest Conference: 2026-03-20
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether due process and the Sixth Amendment right to an impartial jury are violated when the prosecution conducts panel-wide voir dire using a series of improper commitment questions that elicit collective assent from the entire venire on determinative issues of guilt and intent, thereby "poisoning" the jury that is ultimately seated, and whether the harmless-error inquiry must focus under such circumstances on whether any biased juror actually sat.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether due process and the Sixth Amendment right to an impartial jury are violated when the prosecution conducts panel-wide voir dire using improper commitment questions that elicit collective assent from the entire venire on determinative issues of guilt and intent

Docket Entries

2026-02-26
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/20/2026.
2026-01-30
Waiver of right of respondent Texas to respond filed.
2026-01-12
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due February 19, 2026)

Attorneys

Juan Sanchez
David Alan DisherAttorney at Law, Petitioner
Texas
Jessica Shawver- SavinoVictoria County Criminal District Attorney's Offic, Respondent