United States double jeopardyinsanity defenseinconsistent verdicts

McElrath v Georgia

601 U.S. 87 (2024)

JurisdictionUnited States

CourtSupreme Court of the United States

Year2024

StatusBinding authority

Key Principle

A jury's verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity is an acquittal for Double Jeopardy purposes, and the Double Jeopardy Clause bars retrial even where that verdict is logically inconsistent with (and was set aside by the State as 'repugnant' to) the jury's guilty verdicts on related counts.

Area of Law

criminal

Related Cases

Glossip v Oklahoma 604 U.S. 226 (2025)

Smith v United States 599 US 236 (2023)

Ciminelli v United States 598 US 306 (2023)

Ask CommonBench about this case

Get a detailed analysis of McElrath v Georgia and how it applies to your situation.

Explain McElrath v Georgia