What is In Re Gault 1967?

In re Gault (1967) is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that extended due process rights to juveniles in the legal system. The case involved Gerald Gault, a 15-year-old who was taken into custody for allegedly making an obscene phone call, and was sentenced to a juvenile detention center without a formal trial. The Court ruled that juveniles are entitled to certain constitutional protections, including the right to counsel, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to a fair hearing, fundamentally changing the treatment of juveniles in the legal system. This decision underscored the importance of due process in ensuring justice for young individuals.