No. 25-847

Alabama v. Brandon Dewayne Sykes

Lower Court: Alabama
Docketed: 2026-01-15
Status: Pending
Type: Paid
Relisted (3) Experienced Counsel
Tags: constitutional-law criminal-procedure due-process griffin-error prosecutorial-comment self-incrimination
Latest Conference: 2026-04-02 (distributed 3 times)
Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Whether courts must reverse for Griffin error without examining a prosecutor's comment in context and without finding prejudice.

Or the Court should grant the petition to decide:

2. Whether Griffin should be overruled.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether courts must reverse for Griffin error without examining a prosecutor's comment in context and without finding prejudice

Docket Entries

2026-03-31
Rescheduled.
2026-03-30
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/2/2026.
2026-03-25
Rescheduled.
2026-03-23
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/27/2026.
2026-03-18
Rescheduled.
2026-03-04
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/20/2026.
2026-03-04
2026-03-04
Reply of petitioner Alabama filed. (Distributed)
2026-02-17
Brief of Brandon Sykes in opposition submitted.
2026-02-17
Motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed by respondent Brandon Dewayne Sykes.
2026-02-17
Brief of respondent Brandon Dewayne Sykes in opposition filed.
2026-01-12
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 17, 2026)
2025-12-03
Application (25A650) granted by Justice Thomas extending the time to file until January 12, 2026.
2025-11-28
Application (25A650) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from December 11, 2025 to February 9, 2026, submitted to Justice Thomas.

Attorneys

Alabama
Alexander Barrett BowdreOffice of Alabama Attorney General, Petitioner
Brandon Sykes
Sofia Veronica McDonaldEqual Justice Initiative, Respondent