Who was the plaintiff in In re Gault?

The Plaintiff in In re Gault: Gerald Gault

Gerald Gault, a 15-year-old boy, was the plaintiff in the landmark case of In re Gault. The case, which reached the United States Supreme Court, dealt with the constitutional rights of juvenile defendants in delinquency proceedings. Gerald’s involvement in the case stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 8, 1964, when he was accused of making an obscene telephone call to a neighbor, Mrs. Cook.

Following the complaint filed by Mrs. Cook, Gerald and his friend, Ronald Lewis, were arrested and taken to the Children’s Detention Home. At the time of his arrest, Gerald was already on probation due to his association with another boy who had stolen a wallet. However, the arresting officer failed to notify Gerald’s parents or make any effort to inform them of their son’s arrest, leaving them unaware of the situation.

The subsequent legal proceedings took place before a juvenile court judge in Arizona. Gerald’s parents were only informed of the hearing scheduled for the following day when his mother arrived at the Detention Home. During the initial hearing on June 9, 1964, Mrs. Cook was absent, no transcript or recording was made, and nobody was sworn in. Gerald was questioned by the judge, although conflicting accounts exist regarding any admissions he may have made. After the hearing, Gerald was taken back to the Detention Home and detained for several more days.

On June 15, 1964, another hearing was held, once again without the presence of Mrs. Cook. Conflicting accounts regarding admissions were given, and the probation officers filed a report listing the charge as lewd phone calls, without disclosing it to Gerald or his parents. At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge committed Gerald to juvenile detention until he turned 21, a sentence that spanned six years.

In response to these events, Gerald’s parents filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, challenging the constitutionality of the Arizona Juvenile Code and the procedure followed in Gerald’s case. The state courts dismissed their petition, prompting the Gaults to seek relief from the Supreme Court of the United States.

In its landmark decision, the Supreme Court held that the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment applies to juvenile defendants, extending many of the same due process rights afforded to adults. Justice Abe Fortas authored the court’s opinion, which emphasized that juveniles accused of crimes in delinquency proceedings must be granted fundamental rights such as timely notification of charges, the right to confront witnesses, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to legal counsel.

The case of In re Gault established critical constitutional rights for juvenile defendants in the United States. It highlighted the importance of affording juveniles fair and just treatment within the legal system, recognizing their need for protection and due process in delinquency proceedings.

Sources:

• Facts and Case Summary – In re Gault | United States Courts, https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-summary-re-gault
• Justia US Supreme Court Center – In re Gault, https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/387/1/
• In re Gault – Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_re_Gault

FAQs

Who was the plaintiff in the case of In re Gault?

The plaintiff in the case of In re Gault was Gerald Gault, a 15-year-old boy who was involved in an incident relating to an obscene telephone call made to a neighbor.

What was Gerald Gault accused of in the case?

Gerald Gault was accused of making an obscene telephone call to a neighbor, Mrs. Cook, on June 8, 1964.

What happened to Gerald Gault after the incident?

After Mrs. Cook filed a complaint, Gerald and his friend, Ronald Lewis, were arrested and taken to the Children’s Detention Home.

What was the outcome of the hearings before the juvenile court judge?

Following the hearings, Gerald Gault was ordered committed to the State Industrial School as a juvenile delinquent until he reached majority.

What action did Gerald Gault’s parents take in response to the court’s decision?

Gerald’s parents brought a habeas corpus action in the state courts, challenging the constitutionality of the Arizona Juvenile Code and the procedure used in Gerald’s case.

What rights were extended to juvenile defendants in the In re Gault case?

The Supreme Court held that the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment applies to juvenile defendants as well as to adult defendants. Juveniles accused of crimes in delinquency proceedings must be afforded many of the same due process rights as adults, such as the right to timely notification of the charges, the right to confront witnesses, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to counsel.

What did the court’s opinion in In re Gault state?

The court’s opinion, written by Justice Abe Fortas, emphasized that juveniles accused of crimes in delinquency proceedings must be granted fundamental rights. These rights include timely notification of charges, the right to confront witnesses, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to legal counsel.

What is the significance of the In re Gault case?

The case of In re Gault was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that established important constitutional rights for juvenile defendants. It highlighted the importance of affording juveniles fair and just treatment within the legal system, recognizing their need for protection and due process in delinquency proceedings.