Mayer v. City of Chicago case brief

Mayer v. City of Chicago case brief summary
404 U.S. 189 (1971)

CASE SYNOPSIS

Defendant sought review of an order from the Supreme Court of Illinois, which denied his motion for a free transcript of trial proceedings after he was convicted of disorderly conduct and interference with a police officer.

CASE FACTS
Defendant was convicted on non-felony charges of disorderly conduct and interference with a police officer. He was sentenced to a $ 250 fine on each offense. Desiring to appeal, he petitioned the circuit court for a free transcript of the proceedings of his trial to support his contentions that the evidence was insufficient and that the prosecutor's misconduct deprived him of a fair trial. The circuit court found that he was indigent, but denied his application. The state supreme court also denied his motion for a transcript of the trial proceedings.

DISCUSSION

• On appeal, the Court held that defendant could not be denied a record of sufficient completeness to permit proper consideration of his claims. 
• However, that did not mean that he was entitled to a full verbatim transcript. 
• A denial of defendant's motion on the basis that he did not meet the burden of showing the inadequacy of the alternatives would constitute constitutional error.

CONCLUSION
The Court vacated the lower court's order and remanded the case for further proceedings.

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