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BRADY v. UNITED STATES Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: A defendant pleaded guilty to avoid a potential death penalty under a statute whose death penalty provision was later found unconstitutional. The Court held that a guilty plea is not involuntary simply because it was motivated by a desire to avoid a harsher sentence.
Legal Significance: This case established the constitutional standard for voluntary guilty pleas, holding that a plea is not coerced simply because it is motivated by the defendant’s desire to receive a lesser penalty. It effectively validated the practice of plea bargaining.
BRADY v. UNITED STATES Law School Study Guide
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Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
In 1959, the petitioner, Brady, was charged under the Federal Kidnaping Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a), which permitted the imposition of the death penalty only if recommended by a jury. This statutory scheme meant a defendant who pleaded guilty or opted for a bench trial could not be sentenced to death. Represented by competent counsel, Brady initially pleaded not guilty. However, upon learning that his co-defendant had confessed and agreed to testify against him, Brady changed his plea to guilty. The trial court accepted the plea after confirming its voluntariness. Brady was sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment, later reduced to 30. In 1968, the Supreme Court, in United States v. Jackson, held the death penalty provision of § 1201(a) unconstitutional because it impermissibly burdened the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial. Brady subsequently sought post-conviction relief, arguing his plea was not voluntary because it was coerced by the fear of the death penalty under this unconstitutional statutory provision. The lower courts denied relief, finding the plea was voluntary and prompted by the co-defendant’s cooperation.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Is a guilty plea involuntary, and therefore invalid under the Fifth Amendment, if it was entered to avoid a possible death penalty under a statutory provision later held unconstitutional for impermissibly burdening the right to a jury trial?
No. The Court held that a guilty plea is not compelled and Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit i
IRAC Legal Analysis
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IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.
Legal Issue
Is a guilty plea involuntary, and therefore invalid under the Fifth Amendment, if it was entered to avoid a possible death penalty under a statutory provision later held unconstitutional for impermissibly burdening the right to a jury trial?
Conclusion
Brady v. United States constitutionally legitimized plea bargaining by holding that a Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehender
Legal Rule
A guilty plea, to be valid, must be a voluntary and intelligent Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non
Legal Analysis
The Court distinguished its prior decision in *United States v. Jackson*, clarifying Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum do
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- A guilty plea is not involuntary merely because it was motivated