structural error (New Jersey) · Go Syfert
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structural error in New Jersey

23 New Jersey opinions name it 3 courts 1992–2026 7 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by New Jersey courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (15)

CaseFollowedCited
Rose v. Clarkgreen
scotus · 1986 · cited in 3 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2005–2026
2 sentences

2026Structural error review is 15 reserved for errors -- such as the complete denial of counsel -- that “necessarily render a trial fundamentally unfair.” Ibid. (quoting Rose v. Clark, 478 U.S. 570, 577 (1986)).

2005See Rose v. Clark, 478 U.S. 570, 585 , 106 S.Ct. 3101, 3110 , 92 L.Ed.2d 460, 475 (1986) (Stevens, J., concurring) (stating Supreme Court did not question “the view that constitutional error is always sufficiently serious to create a presumption in favor of reversal” when it established harmless error standard for constitutional violations).

33
State v. Fausto Camacho (072525)green
nj · 2014 · cited in 3 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2020–2020
2 sentences

2020"A structural error . . . is a 'structural defect[] in the constitution of the trial mechanism, which def[ies] A-4142-17T4 17 analysis by harmless-error standards.'" State v. Camacho, 218 N.J. 533, 549 (2014) (second and third alterations in the original) (quoting Arizona v. Fulminante, 499 U.S. 279, 309-10 (1991)).

2020"A structural error . . . is a 'structural defect[] in the constitution of the trial mechanism, which def[ies] A-4142-17T4 17 analysis by harmless-error standards.'" State v. Camacho, 218 N.J. 533, 549 (2014) (second and third alterations in the original) (quoting Arizona v. Fulminante, 499 U.S. 279, 309-10 (1991)).

33
Arizona v. Fulminantegreen
scotus · 1991 · cited in 4 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 1999–2020
2 sentences

2020"A structural error . . . is a 'structural defect[] in the constitution of the trial mechanism, which def[ies] A-4142-17T4 17 analysis by harmless-error standards.'" State v. Camacho, 218 N.J. 533, 549 (2014) (second and third alterations in the original) (quoting Arizona v. Fulminante, 499 U.S. 279, 309-10 (1991)).

2020"A structural error . . . is a 'structural defect[] in the constitution of the trial mechanism, which def[ies] A-4142-17T4 17 analysis by harmless-error standards.'" State v. Camacho, 218 N.J. 533, 549 (2014) (second and third alterations in the original) (quoting Arizona v. Fulminante, 499 U.S. 279, 309-10 (1991)).

24
Johnson v. United Statesgreen
scotus · 1997 · cited in 3 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 1999–2026
2 sentences

2026Structural error review is 15 reserved for errors -- such as the complete denial of counsel -- that “necessarily render a trial fundamentally unfair.” Ibid. (quoting Rose v. Clark, 478 U.S. 570, 577 (1986)).

1999A structural error has also been defined as a “defect affecting the framework within which the trial proceeds, rather than simply an error in the trial process itself.” Johnson v. United States, 520 U.S. 461, 468 , 117 S.Ct. 1544, 1549, 137 L.Ed.2d 718, 728 (1997).

23
State v. Purnellgreen
nj · 1999 · cited in 3 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2012–2015
2 sentences

2015Accordingly, such "a structural error affects the legitimacy of the entire trial . . . ."4 State v. Purnell, 161 N.J. 44, 61 (1999).

2014It “affect[s] the framework within which the trial proceeds, rather than simply an error in the trial process itself.” Id. at 310 , 111 S.Ct. at 1265 , 113 L.Ed.2d at 331 ; see also State v. Purnell, 161 N.J. 44, 61 , 735 A.2d 513 (1999) (recognizing that “a structural error affects the legitimacy of the entire trial, rather than an isolated error that occurs during a certain part of the trial process and does not contaminate the trial as a whole”).

23
State v. Jonesgreen
nj · 2018 · cited in 2 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2023–2024
2 sentences

2024In State v. Jones, the Court explained a deprivation of the right to allocution pursuant to Rule 3:21-4(b) is a structural error, requiring remand. 232 N.J. 308, 318-19 (2018).

2023In State v. Jones, the Court explained a deprivation of the right to allocution pursuant to Rule 3:21-4(b) is a structural error, requiring remand. 232 N.J. 308, 318-19 (2018).

22
Neder v. United Statesgreen
scotus · 1999 · cited in 2 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2020–2020
2 sentences

2020Structural errors "are so intrinsically harmful as to require automatic reversal . . . without regard to their effect on the outcome." Ibid. (quoting Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 7 (1999)) (alteration in original).

2020Structural errors "are so intrinsically harmful as to require automatic reversal . . . without regard to their effect on the outcome." Ibid. (quoting Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 7 (1999)) (alteration in original).

22
State v. Kinggreen
nj · 2012 · cited in 2 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2017–2017
2 sentences

2017See King, supra, 210 N.J. at 22 , 40 A.3d 41 (citing McKaskle v. Wiggins, 465 U.S. 168 , 177 n.8, 104 S.Ct. 944 , 950 n.8, 79 L.Ed.2.d 122, 133 n.8 (1984)).

2017See King, supra, 210 N.J. at 22 , 40 A.3d 41 (citing McKaskle v. Wiggins, 465 U.S. 168 , 177 n.8, 104 S.Ct. 944 , 950 n.8, 79 L.Ed.2.d 122, 133 n.8 (1984)).

22
McKaskle v. Wigginsgreen
scotus · 1984 · cited in 2 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2017–2017
2 sentences

2017See King, supra, 210 N.J. at 22 , 40 A.3d 41 (citing McKaskle v. Wiggins, 465 U.S. 168 , 177 n.8, 104 S.Ct. 944 , 950 n.8, 79 L.Ed.2.d 122, 133 n.8 (1984)).

2017See King, supra, 210 N.J. at 22 , 40 A.3d 41 (citing McKaskle v. Wiggins, 465 U.S. 168 , 177 n.8, 104 S.Ct. 944 , 950 n.8, 79 L.Ed.2.d 122, 133 n.8 (1984)).

22
United States v. Gonzalez-Lopezgreen
scotus · 2006 · cited in 2 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2020–2020
2 sentences

2020Super. at 44 (quoting Gonzalez-Lopez, 548 U.S. at 150 ).

2020United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez, 548 U.S. 140, 150, 152 (2006) (holding erroneous deprivation of counsel of choice is a structural error not subject to harmless-error analysis, and affirming judgment reversing defendant's conviction and remanding for new trial); State v. Kates, 216 N.J. 393, 397 (2014) (explaining that summary denial of defendant's request for an adjournment to obtain counsel of choice amounts to structural error and requires a new trial).

12
State v. Figueroagreen
nj · 2006 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2022–2022
1 sentence

2022In State v. Figueroa, the trial court denied defendant's motion to represent himself after holding a hearing to determine if he was waiving his right to counsel knowingly and voluntarily. 186 N.J. 589, 592, 596 (2006).

11
Sullivan v. Louisianagreen
scotus · 1993 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021See Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 281-82 (1993) (holding that a “misdescription of the burden of proof” is a structural error that “vitiates all the jury’s findings”); State v. Harvey, 159 N.J. 277, 291 (1999) (noting that burden-of-proof errors “affect the procedural fairness of the trial” (quoting State v. Martini, 139 N.J. 3, 26 (1994))).

11
State v. Harveygreen
nj · 1999 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021See Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 281-82 (1993) (holding that a “misdescription of the burden of proof” is a structural error that “vitiates all the jury’s findings”); State v. Harvey, 159 N.J. 277, 291 (1999) (noting that burden-of-proof errors “affect the procedural fairness of the trial” (quoting State v. Martini, 139 N.J. 3, 26 (1994))).

11
State v. Martinigreen
nj · 1994 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021See Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 281-82 (1993) (holding that a “misdescription of the burden of proof” is a structural error that “vitiates all the jury’s findings”); State v. Harvey, 159 N.J. 277, 291 (1999) (noting that burden-of-proof errors “affect the procedural fairness of the trial” (quoting State v. Martini, 139 N.J. 3, 26 (1994))).

11
State v. Raymond D. Kates (070971)green
nj · 2014 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2020–2020
1 sentence

2020United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez, 548 U.S. 140, 150, 152 (2006) (holding erroneous deprivation of counsel of choice is a structural error not subject to harmless-error analysis, and affirming judgment reversing defendant's conviction and remanding for new trial); State v. Kates, 216 N.J. 393, 397 (2014) (explaining that summary denial of defendant's request for an adjournment to obtain counsel of choice amounts to structural error and requires a new trial).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in New Jersey. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (8)

CaseCitedYears
Children's Seashore House for Invalid Children v. Atlantic City green
nj · 1902
1 sentence

2022In Children’s Seashore House, the court viewed the first part of the analysis as a structural test, where the court considered whether the structure “which is built; [is it] a fabric or edifice constructed, as a house, a church.” 68 N.J.L. at 389 .

12022–2022
State v. Rose green
njsuperctappdiv · 2019
2 sentences

2022A "court's failure to address defendant's request [to proceed pro se] is a structural error t hat entitles defendant to a new trial." Id. at 638 ; see also Outland, 245 N.J. at 507 A-0874-19 25 ("When a defendant's right of self-representation is violated, reversal of the defendant's conviction is warranted.").

2022On defendant's appeal from a denial of post-conviction relief, we remanded for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether defendant waived his right to self-representation and concluded that if defendant did not waive that A-0874-19 26 right "the court's failure to address defendant's request is a structural error that entitles defendant to a new trial." Id. at 638 .

12022–2022
McCoy v. Louisiana green
scotus · 2018
1 sentence

2021Id. at 1510-11 .

12021–2021
State v. Storm green
nj · 1995
1 sentence

2020Significantly, in a case in which we held that a defendant's municipal court conviction was void ab initio because he was prosecuted by a private attorney who had not complied with Supreme Court requirements established in State v. Storm, 141 N.J. 245 (1995), we reversed and remanded for a new trial.

12020–2020
State v. Kates green
njsuperctappdiv · 2012
1 sentence

2020Deprivation of counsel A-3096-17T1 17 of choice is considered a structural error not subject to harmless error analysis because the consequences of deprivation are "necessarily unquantifiable and indeterminate." Kates, 426 N.J.

12020–2020
Robinson v. Cahill green
· 1975
2 sentences

2011The drafters of the New Jersey Constitution made the provision of a public education a "fundamental right." See Robinson IV, supra, 69 N.J. at 147, 351 A. 2d 713 .

2011The drafters of the New Jersey Constitution made the provision of a public education a “fundamental right.” See Robinson IV, supra, 69 N.J. at 147 , 351 A.2d 713 .

12011–2011
Elizabeth Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n v. Howell green
nj · 1959
2 sentences

1996Sav. & Loan Ass’n v. Howell, 30 N.J. 190, 194 , 152 A.2d 359 (1959), we deem it far too nebulous and broad a concept to provide a structural framework for the exercise of an agency’s waiver power.

1996Sav. & Loan Ass’n v. Howell, 30 N.J. 190, 194 , 152 A.2d 359 (1959), we deem it far too nebulous and broad a concept to provide a structural framework for the exercise of an agency’s waiver power.

11996–1996
Taylor v. Louisiana green
scotus · 1975
2 sentences

1992Although "Taylor was not a member of the [injured] class * * * there is no rule that claims such as Taylor presents may be made only by those defendants who are members of the [injured class]." 419 U.S. at 526 , 95 S.Ct. at 695 , 42 L.Ed. 2d at 695 . *209 Defendant surely has a right to raise a structural challenge to the constitutional fairness of the New Jersey Capital Punishment Act.

1992Although "Taylor was not a member of the [injured] class * * * there is no rule that claims such as Taylor presents may be made only by those defendants who are members of the [injured class]." 419 U.S. at 526 , 95 S.Ct. at 695 , 42 L.Ed. 2d at 695 . *209 Defendant surely has a right to raise a structural challenge to the constitutional fairness of the New Jersey Capital Punishment Act.

11992–1992

Statutes the citing opinions construe

NJ § N.J. Stat. § 2C:12-1 (6) NJ § N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-5 (3) NJ § N.J. Stat. § 2C:43-7.2 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

IL 265 (1974–2026) OH 250 (1996–2026) CA 178 (1995–2026) MI 171 (1994–2026) TX 157 (1996–2026) WA 152 (2002–2025) PA 96 (2003–2026) OR 86 (1992–2024) CO 73 (1995–2026) LA 70 (1993–2026) IA 65 (2003–2026) MA 55 (1995–2025) NC 46 (2002–2025) KY 45 (2005–2026) AZ 44 (1996–2026) MN 41 (2001–2026) MT 41 (2001–2026) KS 40 (2001–2026) WI 36 (2003–2025) CT 32 (1996–2026) MD 29 (2001–2026) NV 28 (2001–2021) DC 26 (1997–2025) NM 26 (2004–2025) MO 25 (2002–2024) GA 25 (2007–2025) UT 24 (1996–2026) NJ 23 (1992–2026) ND 21 (2004–2025) TN 19 (2006–2025) ID 16 (2003–2023) FL 15 (1995–2023) SD 13 (2000–2025) WY 12 (2008–2025) SC 12 (1995–2025) OK 12 (1997–2022) AL 11 (1999–2024) VA 10 (2005–2026) HI 10 (2013–2025) NE 10 (1999–2026) ME 9 (2001–2026) AR 9 (1996–2026) IN 8 (2002–2025) AK 6 (2018–2025) VT 6 (1995–2026) DE 6 (2003–2025) NY 5 (1939–2012) VI 4 (2013–2026) GU 3 (2022–2025) MS 3 (2013–2023) NH 3 (2009–2013)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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