Galloway v. U.S case brief summary

Galloway v. U.S case brief

SCOTUS 1943

Facts: A case made it up to the Supreme Court, arguing that taking a case away from the jury is a violation of 7^th amendment rights. 

Reasoning: Plaintiff’s used arguments that summary judgment is not allowed by the amendment which was ignored. They also tried historical arguments, which the court said is just not true. The court said that in 1791 there was no one common rule, it was constantly evolving and that is what law is about. Court held that the 7^th amendment was there to preserve fundamental elements of a jury trial and not to talk about procedural aspects of what would be required. Plaintiff’s tried to attack the standard of proof judges require, but the court said that standards are decided by each judge depending on certain situations and that makes sense. Only that mere speculation is not allowed, only require probative facts to be alleged and explored. 

Black Dissent: Thinks that this decision is eroding the guarantee of the 7^th amendments and judges roles in court. Used Henry’s words where he says that unanimous verdict of impartial men cannot be reversed to prove his point. He just talks a lot about history and how 7^th amendment’s spirit was always kept throughout the years until now. 

Check out our eBook: How to Win at Law School to see how to transfer to a top law school, get the top grades in your class, and get a head start on the legal profession!