Supreme Court Rules on Prisoner Jury Rights, Potentially Expanding Access

The U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating whether prisoners have the right to a jury trial when disputes about exhaustion of remedies are closely tied to their underlying claims, such as allegations of sexual misconduct. In the case involving Michigan prisoner Kyle Richards, who accuses prison officer Thomas Perttu of sexual harassment and retaliation, the Sixth Circuit previously ruled that the jury should decide on both the exhaustion issue and the merits of the case together. While some justices, including Neil Gorsuch, emphasize the importance of preserving the Seventh Amendment's jury trial rights, others express concern that allowing juries to decide on exhaustion could overwhelm the courts with inmate lawsuits. Solicitor General Ann Sherman warned that a ruling favoring Richards might exacerbate the already significant burden on the federal court system from prisoner cases. The outcome could set a precedent impacting how similar cases are handled in the future. The case, Perttu v. Richards, was argued on February 25, 2025.