Fisher v. United States

Fisher v. United States was a legal case where the Supreme Court examined the proper way to interpret the federal death penalty law. The main issue was whether the law requires prosecutors to prove a defendant’s eligibility for the death penalty beyond a reasonable doubt or simply to identify statutory facts. The Court ultimately held that the government must prove these facts beyond a reasonable doubt to justify imposing the death penalty, ensuring greater protection for defendants’ legal rights. This case clarified how courts should handle factual questions related to the death penalty under federal law.