United States v. Gaudin

United States v. Gaudin
Argued April 17, 1995
Decided June 19, 1995
Full case nameUnited States v. Gaudin
Docket no.94-514
Citations515 U.S. 506 (more)
115 S. Ct. 2310
ArgumentOral argument
Holding
The trial judge's refusal to submit the question of "materiality" to the jury was unconstitutional.
Court membership
Chief Justice
William Rehnquist
Associate Justices
John P. Stevens · Sandra Day O'Connor
Antonin Scalia · Anthony Kennedy
David Souter · Clarence Thomas
Ruth Bader Ginsburg · Stephen Breyer
Case opinion
MajorityScalia, joined by unanimous
Laws applied
18 U.S.C. § 1001, U.S Constitution

United States v. Gaudin is a United States Supreme Court case in which the court held the trial judge's refusal to submit the question of "materiality" to the jury was unconstitutional. If materiality is a required element of the offense, it must be presented to the jury, which must determine it beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction.