Case Background
In June 1964, Gerald “Jerry” Gault, a 15-year-old, was accused of making an obscene telephone call to a neighbor, Mrs. Cook. Gault and a friend were arrested and taken to the Children’s Detention Home. Gault’s parents were not notified of his arrest, and they only found out about it when they went looking for him. Gault’s initial court hearing was informal, with no transcript or recording made. Gault was committed to juvenile detention for six years, until he turned 21.
Key Facts
- Case Background:
- Gerald “Jerry” Gault, a 15-year-old, was accused of making an obscene telephone call to a neighbor, Mrs. Cook, in June 1964.
- Gault and a friend were arrested and taken to the Children’s Detention Home.
- Gault’s parents were not notified of his arrest, and they only found out about it when they went looking for him.
- Gault’s initial court hearing was informal, with no transcript or recording made.
- Gault was committed to juvenile detention for six years, until he turned 21.
- Lower Court Ruling:
- The juvenile court judge committed Gault to juvenile detention until he turned 21.
- Gault’s parents filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which was dismissed by both the Superior Court of Arizona and the Arizona Supreme Court.
- Supreme Court Ruling:
- The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case to determine the procedural rights of a juvenile defendant in delinquency proceedings where there is a possibility of incarceration.
- The Court unanimously overruled the previous case of Betts v. Brady.
- The Court held that juveniles facing an adjudication of delinquency and incarceration are entitled to certain procedural safeguards under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Lower Court Ruling
The juvenile court judge committed Gault to juvenile detention until he turned 21. Gault’s parents filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which was dismissed by both the Superior Court of Arizona and the Arizona Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case to determine the procedural rights of a juvenile defendant in delinquency proceedings where there is a possibility of incarceration. The Court unanimously overruled the previous case of Betts v. Brady. The Court held that juveniles facing an adjudication of delinquency and incarceration are entitled to certain procedural safeguards under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Sources
FAQs
Who was Gerald “Jerry” Gault?
Gerald “Jerry” Gault was a 15-year-old boy who was arrested and charged with making an obscene phone call in 1964.
What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in In re Gault?
The Supreme Court ruled that juveniles are entitled to certain due process rights in delinquency proceedings, including the right to notice of charges, the right to counsel, the right to confront witnesses, and the right against self-incrimination.
What was the significance of In re Gault?
In re Gault was a landmark case that extended the protections of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to juveniles in delinquency proceedings.
How old was Gerald Gault when he was arrested?
Gerald Gault was 15 years old when he was arrested.
What was Gerald Gault accused of doing?
Gerald Gault was accused of making an obscene phone call to a neighbor.
How long was Gerald Gault sentenced to?
Gerald Gault was sentenced to six years in juvenile detention.
What was the name of the case that the Supreme Court overruled in In re Gault?
The Supreme Court overruled the case of Betts v. Brady in In re Gault.