A Catholic Bishops’ Conference amicus argues that historically a jury meant a 12-member body and urges the Court to align Florida’s six-person panels with that understanding.

Public defender groups warn that thousands of direct appeals in Florida hang in the balance and a ruling favoring Kian could reshape outcomes for many cases.

At issue is Hamed Kian, a Jupiter chiropractor convicted by a six-person Florida jury for practicing medicine with a suspended license, with sentencing options ranging from probation to imprisonment.

The Supreme Court is asked to reconsider Williams v. Florida’s standard on jury size, possibly restoring a 12-person requirement nationwide and influencing six states, including Florida.

Proceedings include upcoming Supreme Court oral arguments and briefs, with Kian’s initial Florida Fourth District appeal having been upheld without a written opinion.

Justice Neil Gorsuch has signaled openness to returning to a 12-member jury, pointing to historical precedent in related questions.

A broad coalition backs the challenge, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which argues six-person juries may disproportionately reduce Black juror representation.

Other amici, such as the Constitutional Accountability Center, contend that 12 jurors should be the constitutional floor, opposing the Williams v. Florida interpretation that allows smaller panels.