edmonson leesville concrete argued january decided june petitioner edmonson sued respondent leesville concrete district alleging leesville negligence caused personal injury voir dire leesville used two three peremptory challenges authorized statute remove black persons prospective jury citing batson kentucky edmonson black requested require leesville articulate explanation peremptory strikes refused ground batson apply civil proceedings impaneled jury consisted white persons black rendered verdict unfavorable edmonson appeals affirmed holding private litigant civil case exercise peremptory challenges without accountability alleged racial classifications held private litigant civil case may use peremptory challenges exclude jurors account race pp exclusion potential jurors civil case violates excluded persons equal protection rights powers ohio although conduct private parties lies beyond constitution scope instances leesville exercise peremptory challenges pursuant course state action therefore subject constitutional requirements analytical framework set forth lugar edmondson oil first claimed constitutional deprivation results exercise right privilege source state authority since leesville able engage alleged discriminatory acts without authorizes use peremptory challenges civil cases second leesville must fairness deemed government actor use peremptory challenges leesville made extensive use government procedures overt significant assistance government see tulsa professional collection services pope peremptory challenges utility outside jury trial system created governed elaborate set statutory provisions administered solely government officials including trial judge state actor exercises substantial control voir dire effects final practical denial excluded individual opportunity serve petit jury discharging moreover action question involves performance traditional governmental function see terry adams since peremptory challenge used selecting jury entity quintessential governmental body attributes private actor furthermore injury allegedly caused leesville use peremptory challenges aggravated unique way incidents governmental authority see shelley kramer since courtroom real expression government constitutional authority racial exclusion within confines compounds racial insult inherent judging citizen color skin pp private civil litigant may raise equal protection claim person opposing party excluded jury service account race criminal context see powers supra three requirements standing satisfied civil context first reason believe daunting barriers suit excluded criminal juror see less imposing simply person excluded civil jury service second relation excluded venireperson litigant challenging exclusion close civil criminal context see third civil litigant demonstrate suffered concrete redressable injury exclusion jurors account race racial discrimination jury selection casts doubt integrity judicial process places fairness proceeding doubt see pp case remanded determination whether edmonson established prima facie case racial discrimination approach set forth batson supra leesville required offer explanations peremptory challenges kennedy delivered opinion white marshall blackmun stevens souter joined filed dissenting opinion rehnquist scalia joined post scalia filed dissenting opinion post james doyle argued cause filed brief petitioner john baker argued cause respondent brief john honeycutt briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed american civil liberties union steven shapiro john powell naacp legal defense educational fund et al julius levonne chambers eric schnapper samuel rabinove deval patrick marc goodheart robert mullen david tatel norman redlich thomas henderson richard seymour briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed defense research institute jeanmarie lococo john weigel dixie insurance suzanne saunders louisiana association defense counsel joseph ward wood brown iii justice kennedy delivered opinion must decide case us whether private litigant civil case may use peremptory challenges exclude jurors account race recognizing impropriety racial bias courtroom hold exclusion violates equal protection rights challenged jurors civil case originated district apply equal protection component fifth amendment due process clause see bolling sharpe thaddeus donald edmonson construction worker injured accident fort polk louisiana federal enclave edmonson sued leesville concrete company negligence district western district louisiana claiming leesville employee permitted one company trucks roll backward pin construction equipment edmonson invoked seventh amendment right trial jury voir dire leesville used two three peremptory challenges authorized statute remove black persons prospective jury citing decision batson kentucky edmonson black requested district require leesville articulate explanation striking two jurors district denied request ground batson apply civil proceedings impaneled jury included white persons black person jury rendered verdict edmonson assessing total damages also attributed fault edmonson contributory negligence however awarded sum edmonson appealed divided panel appeals fifth circuit reversed holding opinion batson applies private attorney representing private litigant peremptory challenges may used civil trial purpose excluding jurors basis race appeals panel held private parties become state actors exercise peremptory challenges limit batson criminal cases betray batson fundamental principle state use toleration approval peremptory challenges based race violates equal protection clause panel remanded trial consider whether edmonson established prima facie case racial discrimination batson full ordered rehearing en banc divided en banc panel affirmed judgment district holding private litigant civil case exercise peremptory challenges without accountability alleged racial classifications concluded use peremptories private litigants constitute state action result implicate constitutional guarantees dissent reiterated arguments vacated panel opinion courts appeals divided issue see dunham frank nursery crafts private litigant may use peremptory challenges exclude venirepersons account race fludd dykes cf dias sky chefs corporation may raise objection civil trial de gross government may raise objection criminal case rehearing en banc granted reynolds little rock government involved civil litigation may use peremptory challenges racially discriminatory manner granted certiorari reverse appeals ii powers ohio held criminal defendant regardless race may object prosecutor exclusion persons petit jury conclusion rested analysis first following opinions batson carter jury commission greene county made clear prosecutor peremptory challenge violates equal protection rights excluded jury service second relied rules standing hold defendant may raise excluded jurors equal protection rights powers relied upon century jurisprudence dedicated elimination race prejudice within jury selection process see batson supra swain alabama carter supra neal delaware strauder west virginia decisions part directed discrimination prosecutor government officials context criminal proceedings intimated race discrimination permissible civil proceedings see thiel southern pacific indeed discrimination basis race selecting jury civil proceeding harms excluded juror less discrimination criminal trial see either case race sole reason denying excluded venireperson honor privilege participating system justice act violates constitution committed government official however answer question whether act offends constitutional guarantees committed private litigant attorney constitution protections individual liberty equal protection apply general action government national collegiate athletic assn tarkanian racial discrimination though invidious contexts violates constitution may attributed state action moose lodge irvis thus legality exclusion issue turns extent litigant civil case may subject constitution restrictions constitution structures national government confines actions regard certain individual liberties specified matters confines actions exceptions provisions thirteenth amendment constitutional guarantees individual liberty equal protection apply actions private entities tarkanian supra flagg bros brooks fundamental limitation scope constitutional guarantees preserves area individual freedom limiting reach federal law avoids imposing state agencies officials responsibility conduct fairly blamed lugar edmondson oil one great object constitution permit citizens structure private relations choose subject constraints statutory decisional law implement principles courts must consider time time governmental sphere ends private sphere begins although conduct private parties lies beyond constitution scope instances governmental authority may dominate activity extent participants must deemed act authority government result subject constitutional constraints jurisprudence state action explores essential dichotomy private sphere public sphere attendant constitutional obligations moose lodge supra begin discussion within framework state action analysis set forth lugar supra considered state action question context due process challenge state procedure allowing private parties obtain prejudgment attachments asked first whether claimed constitutional deprivation resulted exercise right privilege source state authority second whether private party charged deprivation described fairness state actor question first part lugar inquiry satisfied nature peremptory challenges significance outside law sole purpose permit litigants assist government selection impartial trier fact recognized value peremptory challenges regard particularly criminal context see batson constitutional obligation allow ross oklahoma stilson peremptory challenges permitted government statute decisional law deems appropriate allow parties exclude given number persons otherwise satisfy requirements service petit jury legislative authorizations well limitations use peremptory challenges date far back founding republic common law origins peremptories predate see holland illinois swain today jurisdictions statutes rules make limited number peremptory challenges available parties civil criminal proceedings case us challenges exercised federal statute provides inter alia civil cases party shall entitled three peremptory challenges several defendants several plaintiffs may considered single party purposes making challenges may allow additional peremptory challenges permit exercised separately jointly given statutory authorization challenges exercised case clear remainder state action analysis centers around second part lugar test whether private litigant fairness must deemed government actor use peremptory challenges although recognized aspect analysis often inquiry see lugar supra cases disclose certain principles general application precedents establish determining whether particular action course conduct governmental character relevant examine following extent actor relies governmental assistance benefits see tulsa professional collection services pope burton wilmington parking authority whether actor performing traditional governmental function see terry adams marsh alabama cf san francisco arts athletics olympic committee whether injury caused aggravated unique way incidents governmental authority see shelley kraemer based application three principles circumstances hold exercise peremptory challenges defendant district pursuant course state action although private use private remedies procedures rise level state action tulsa professional supra cases found state action private parties make extensive use state procedures overt significant assistance state officials see lugar edmondson oil sniadach family finance disputed without overt significant participation government peremptory challenge system well jury trial system part simply exist discussed peremptory challenges utility outside jury system system government alone administers federal system congress established qualifications jury service see outlined procedures jurors selected end district federal system must adopt plan locating summoning eligible prospective jurors see jury plan district western district louisiana file administrative office courts plan trial procedures must implement statutory policies random juror selection fair community nonexclusion account race color religion sex national origin economic status statutes prescribe many details jury plan defining jury wheel voter lists jury commissions statute also authorizes establishment procedures assignment grand petit juries lawful excuse jury service outset selection process prospective jurors must complete jury qualification forms prescribed administrative office courts see failure may result fines imprisonment might willful misrepresentation material fact answering question form ibid typical case counsel receive forms rely exercising peremptory strikes see bermant jury selection procedures district courts federal judicial center clerk district federal official summons potential jurors employment pursuits required travel courthouse must report juror lounges assembly rooms courtrooms direction officers whether selected jury panel summoned jurors receive per diem fixed statute service trial judge exercises substantial control voir dire federal system see judge determines range information may discovered prospective juror affects exercise challenges cause peremptory challenges cases judges may even conduct entire voir dire common practice district instant case tried see louisiana rules local rule wd la judge oversees exclusion jurors cause way determining jurors remain eligible exercise peremptory strikes cases involving multiple parties trial judge decides peremptory challenges shall allocated among lawyer exercises peremptory challenge judge advises juror excused outlined private party exercise peremptory challenges absent overt significant assistance government summons jurors constrains freedom movement subjects public scrutiny examination party exercises challenge invokes formal authority must discharge prospective juror thus effecting final practical denial excluded individual opportunity serve petit jury virginia rives without direct indispensable participation judge beyond question state actor peremptory challenge system serve purpose enforcing discriminatory peremptory challenge made party biased act elected place power property prestige behind alleged discrimination burton wilmington parking authority government create legal framework governing challenged conduct national collegiate athletic significant way involved invidious discrimination determining leesville state actor status next consider whether action question involves performance traditional function government traditional function government evident peremptory challenge used selecting entity quintessential governmental body attributes private actor jury exercises power government confers jurisdiction noted powers jury system performs critical governmental functions guarding rights litigants insur ing continued acceptance laws people federal system constitution commits trial facts civil cause jury either party cause invoke seventh amendment right jury becomes principal factfinder charged weighing evidence judging credibility witnesses reaching verdict jury factual determinations general rule final basham pennsylvania civil cases noted earlier term jury weigh gravity wrong determine degree government interest punishing deterring willful misconduct see pacific mut life ins haslip judgment based upon civil verdict may preclusive issues later case even parties differ see allen mccurry jurisdictions true verdict incorporated judgment enforceable traditional functions government select private group beyond reach constitution government confers private body power choose government employees officials private body bound constitutional mandate cf tarkanian kohn least plurality recognized principle terry adams found state action scheme private organization known jaybird democratic association conducted elections select candidates run democratic primary elections ford bend county texas jaybird candidate certain win democratic primary democratic candidate certain win general election justice clark concurring opinion drew smith allwright principle part machinery choosing officials becomes subject constitution constraints terry supra concurring opinion concluded hen state structures electoral apparatus form devolves upon political organization uncontested choice public officials organization whatever disguise takes attributes government draw constitution safeguards play find respondent reliance polk county dodson unavailing case held public defender state actor general representation criminal defendant even though may performance official duties see branti finkel recognizing employment relation public defender government noted relation otherwise adversarial nature defense lawyer nature function servant administrative superior held standards competence integrity private lawyer public defender works canons professional responsibility mandate exercise independent judgment behalf client ordinary context civil litigation government party adversarial relation exist government private litigant jury selection process government private litigants work end government employee deemed private actor purpose functions dodson private entity becomes government actor limited purpose using peremptories jury selection selection jurors represents unique governmental function delegated private litigants government attributable government purposes invoking constitutional protections discrimination reason race decision west atkins provides illustration held private physician contracted state prison attend inmates medical needs state actor regular state payroll held function within state system precise terms employment determined whether actions fairly attributed state noted state law medical care west receive injury provided state doctor atkins misused power demonstrating deliberate indifference west serious medical needs resultant deprivation caused sense relevant state action inquiry state exercise right punish west incarceration deny venue independent state obtain needed medical care finally note injury caused discrimination made severe government permits occur within courthouse places real expression constitutional authority government courtroom law unfolds within courtroom government invokes laws determine rights stand full view public litigants press cases witnesses give testimony juries render verdicts judges act utmost care ensure justice done race discrimination within courtroom raises serious questions fairness proceedings conducted racial bias mars integrity judicial system prevents idea democratic government becoming reality rose mitchell smith texas many times addressed problem racial bias system justice questioned premise racial discrimination qualification selection jurors offends dignity persons integrity courts powers permit racial exclusion official forum compounds racial insult inherent judging citizen color skin held civil trial exclusion account race violates prospective juror equal protection rights consider whether opposing litigant may raise excluded person rights behalf noted powers ordinary course litigant must assert legal rights interests rest claim relief legal rights interests third parties also noted however fundamental restriction judicial authority admits certain limited exceptions litigant may raise claim behalf third party litigant demonstrate suffered concrete redressable injury close relation third party exists hindrance third party ability protect interests three requirements standing held satisfied criminal context satisfied civil context well conclusion powers persons excluded jury service unable protect rights applies equal force civil trial individual jurors subjected peremptory racial exclusion right bring suit behalf barriers suit excluded juror daunting reason believe barriers less imposing simply person excluded jury service civil proceeding likewise find relation excluded venireperson litigant challenging exclusion close civil context criminal trial whether civil criminal proceeding voir dire permits party establish relation bond trust jurors relation continues throughout entire trial exclusion juror basis race severs relation invidious way believe issue warrants consideration case whether civil litigant demonstrate sufficient interest challenging exclusion jurors account race powers held discriminatory use peremptory challenges prosecution causes criminal defendant cognizable injury defendant concrete interest challenging practice see allen hardy recognizing defendant interest neutral jury selection procedures individual jurors dismissed prosecution may predisposed favor defendant true jurors might excused cause rather racial discrimination selection jurors casts doubt integrity judicial process rose mitchell supra places fairness criminal proceeding doubt may true role litigants determining jury composition provides one reason wide acceptance jury system verdicts race stereotypes price acceptance jury panel fair price high meet standard constitution means exist litigants satisfy jury impartiality without using skin color test society continue progress multiracial democracy must recognize automatic invocation race stereotypes retards progress causes continued hurt injury dispassionate analysis special distinction law dispels fears preconceptions respecting racial attitudes quiet rationality courtroom makes appropriate place confront fears hostility means use offensive stereotypes whether race generality employed litigants challenge potential juror derives open hostility hidden unarticulated fear neither motive entitles litigant cause injury excused juror litigant believes prospective juror harbors biases instincts issue explored rational way consists respect dignity persons without use classifications based ancestry skin color iii remains consider whether prima facie case racial discrimination established case us requiring leesville offer explanations peremptory challenges batson held determining whether prima facie case established requires consideration relevant circumstances including whether pattern strikes members particular race approach applies civil context leave trial courts first instance develop evidentiary rules implementing decision judgment reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered justice chief justice justice scalia join dissenting concludes action private attorney exercising peremptory challenge attributable government therefore may compose constitutional violation conclusion based little challenge occurs course trial everything happens courtroom state action trial particularly civil trial design largely stage private parties may act forum resolve disputes peaceful ordered manner government erects platform thereby become responsible occurs upon much like eliminate completely courtroom specter racial discrimination constitution sweep broadly believe peremptory strike private litigant fundamentally matter private choice state action dissent order establish constitutional violation edmonson must first demonstrate leesville use peremptory challenge fairly attributed government unfortunately cases deciding private action might deemed state model consistency perhaps state action determination closely tied framework peculiar facts circumstances present see burton wilmington parking authority whatever reason despite confusion coherent principle emerged stated rule various ways base constitutional standards invoked said government responsible specific conduct plaintiff complains blum yaretsky constitutional liability attaches wrongdoers carry badge authority government represent capacity national collegiate athletic assn tarkanian quoting monroe pape concludes standard met present case rests conclusion primarily two empirical assertions first private parties use peremptory challenges overt significant participation government ante second use peremptory challenge private party involves performance traditional function government ante neither assertions correct begins perfectly accurate definition peremptory challenge peremptory challenges allow parties exclude given number persons otherwise satisfy requirements service petit jury ante description worth careful analysis belies later conclusions peremptory peremptory challenge allow parties case private parties exclude potential jurors nature peremptory exercise left wholly within discretion litigant purpose longstanding practice establish party arbitrary capricious species challenge whereby sudden impressions unaccountable prejudices apt conceive upon bare looks gestures another may acted upon lewis quoting blackstone commentaries allowing litigant strike jurors even subtle discerned biases peremptory challenge fosters perception reality impartial jury ibid hayes missouri swain alabama holland illinois criminal civil trials peremptory challenge mechanism exercise private choice pursuit fairness peremptory design enclave private action proceeding amasses much ostensible evidence federal government overt significant participation peremptory process see ante evidence irrelevant issue hand bulk practices describes establishment qualifications jury service location summoning prospective jurors jury wheel voter lists jury qualification forms per diem jury service independent statutory entitlement peremptory strikes use government action furtherance government distinct obligation provide qualified jury government things even peremptory challenges activity well trial judge control voir dire see ante merely prerequisite use peremptory challenge constitute participation challenge actions may necessary peremptory challenge sense challenge without venire select makes challenge state action building roads provision public transportation makes state action riding bus entirety government actual participation peremptory process boils single fact lawyer exercises peremptory challenge judge advises juror excused ibid significant participation judge action advising juror excused state action sure however de minimis far cases required order hold government responsible private action find private actors represent government see blum supra tarkanian supra government normally held responsible private decision exercised coercive power provided significant encouragement either overt covert choice must law deemed state blum supra initial matter judge encourage use peremptory challenge decision strike juror entirely litigant reasons consequence judge attorney strikes judge little acquiesce decision excusing juror point fact government virtually role use peremptory challenges indeed jurisdictions consent parties voir dire jury selection may take place absence personnel see haith ed aff per curiam state eberhardt ohio misc alleged state action far cry found example shelley kraemer case state courts called upon enforce racially restrictive covenants sellers real property wish discriminate coercive power state necessary order enforce private choice created covenants ut active intervention state courts supported full panoply state power petitioners free occupy properties question without restraint moreover courts shelley asked enforce facially discriminatory contract contrast peremptory challenges exercised without reason stated without inquiry swain supra judge significantly encourage discrimination mere act excusing juror response unexplained request another important distinction shelley case state courts shelley used coercive force impose conformance parties wish discriminate enforcement peremptory challenges hand compel anyone discriminate discrimination wholly matter private choice see goldwasser limiting criminal defendant use peremptory challenges symmetry jury criminal trial harv rev judicial acquiescence convert private choice state see blum kind significant involvement found tulsa professional collection services pope concluded actions executrix estate providing notice creditors might file claims fairly attributed state state involvement notice process said pervasive substantial particular state statute directed executrix publish notice addition district case reinforced statutory command order expressly requiring executrix immediately give notice creditors ibid notice encouraged state positively required comparable state involvement one compelled government action use peremptory challenge let alone use racially discriminatory way relies also burton wilmington parking authority see ante decision case depended perceived symbiotic relationship restaurant state parking authority leased space public building state far insinuated position interdependence restaurant recognized joint participant challenged activity burton supra among peculiar facts circumstances leading conclusion state stood profit restaurant discrimination shown government involvement use peremptory challenges falls far short interdependence joint participation whatever continuing vitality burton beyond facts see jackson metropolitan edison support conclusion jackson appropriate analogy case metropolitan edison terminated jackson electrical service authority granted state pursuant procedure approved state utility commission nonetheless held jackson challenge termination procedure due process grounds termination state action state done nothing encourage particular termination practice approval state utility commission request regulated utility commission put weight side proposed practice ordering transmute practice initiated utility approved commission state action respondent exercise choice allowed state law initiative comes state make action state action purposes fourteenth amendment emphasis added omitted effect flagg brooks case warehouseman proposed sale goods entrusted storage pursuant new york uniform commercial code fairly attributable state held state new york way responsible flagg brothers decision decision state permits compel threaten sell respondents belongings similarly absence compulsion least encouragement government use peremptory challenges government responsible essential nature peremptory challenge one exercised without reason stated without inquiry without subject control swain government neither encourages approves challenges accordingly overt significant participation government errs also concludes exercise peremptory challenge traditional government function definition peremptory challenge asserts correctly jurors struck via peremptories otherwise satisfy requirements service petit jury ante whatever reason private litigant may using peremptory challenge government reason government otherwise establishes requirements jury service leaving private litigant unfettered discretion use strike reason part government function establishing requirements jury service peremptory challenges exercised party selection jurors rejection aimed disqualification exercised upon qualified jurors matter favor challenger lincoln abbott civil jury trials ed quoting lake superior iron reason incorrect inconsistent definition peremptory challenge says jury selection process civil trial government private litigants work end see ante also incorrect says litigant exercising peremptory challenge performing traditional function government see ante peremptory challenge practice ancient origin part common law heritage criminal trials see swain supra tracing history holland congress imported tradition federal civil trials see ch stat swain practice unrestrained private choice selection civil juries even older however peremptory challenges civil trials common law struck jury system allowed side criminal civil trials strike alternately without explanation fixed number jurors see citing proffatt trial jury busch law tactics jury trials peremptory challenges traditional government function tradition one unguided private choice may correct ere peremptory challenges entire process determining serve jury constitut state action ante peremptory challenges always peremptory challenge forms part government responsibility selecting jury peremptory challenge private litigant meet standard traditional government function beyond misstated law cites terry adams marsh alabama proposition state action may imputed one carries traditional governmental function ante cases held private control certain core government activities rendered private action attributable state terry activity private primary election effectively determined outcome county general elections marsh company owned town attempted prohibit sidewalks certain protected speech flagg supra reviewed cases found state action exercise certain public functions private parties see reviewing terry marsh smith allwright nixon condon explained government functions cases one thing common exclusivity public function doctrine requires private actor exercise power traditionally exclusively reserved state quoting jackson order constitute state action doctrine private conduct must comprise something government traditionally something government traditionally even one fairly characterize use peremptory strike performance traditional government function jury selection never exclusively function government select juries peremptory strikes older republic west atkins contrary seeks derive case rule one serve important function within government even government employee thereby state actor see ante even law help position exercise peremptory challenge important government function government function event west stand broad proposition doctor case contract state provide services state important state hired doctor order fulfill state constitutional obligation attend necessary medical care prison inmates doctor relation state state responsibility went beyond mere performance important job present case closer jackson supra kohn terry marsh west former cases alleged state activities private actors performing might considered traditional public functions see jackson electrical utility school case held performance function even state regulated state funded state action unless function one exclusively prerogative state state provided significant encouragement challenged action state held responsible see jackson supra use peremptory challenge private litigant meets neither criterion none news case fairly well controlled polk county dodson held public defender employed state act color state law representing defendant criminal trial circumstance government employment sufficient create state action important present purposes neither performance lawyer duties courtroom lawyer representing private client time represent government trials country adversarial proceedings attorneys private litigants act behalf government even public whole attorneys represent clients attorney job advanc undivided interests client essentially private function state office authority needed footnotes omitted performing adversarial functions trial attorney private litigant acts independently government function public defender enter guilty pleas move suppress state evidence object evidence trial state witnesses make closing arguments behalf defendants adversarial functions find peculiarly difficult detect color state law activities omitted wishes limit scope dodson actions public defenders adversarial relationship government ante minimum must concede dodson stands proposition criminal defense attorney state actor using peremptory strikes behalf client attorney representing private litigant civil suit government propositions true distinction case dodson turns state action doctrine head attorneys adversarial relation state state actors mean attorneys relation state actors plainly wrong asserts process government private litigants work end see ante civil trial attorneys side adversarial relation ibid use peremptory strikes direct opposition one another precisely contrary ends government work end parties fact government neutral private litigants use peremptory strikes point government encourage approve strikes direct used particular way even used government simply responsible use peremptory strikes private litigants constitutional liability attaches wrongdoers carry badge authority government represent capacity tarkanian government attorney uses peremptory challenge behalf client definition representing government challenge thereby becomes state action antithetical nature adversarial process however say private attorney acting behalf private client represents government constitutional purposes ii beyond significant participation traditional function final argument exercise peremptory challenge private litigant state action takes place courtroom ante end left peremptories involve overt significant participation government constitute traditional function government also wrong ultimate claim dodson stands anything actions lawyer courtroom become government virtue location true even actions based race racism terrible thing irrational destructive mean arbitrary discrimination based race particularly abhorrent manifest courtroom forum established government resolution disputes quiet rationality see ante every opprobrious inequitable act constitutional violation fifth amendment due process clause prohibits actions government held responsible government responsible everything occurs courtroom government responsible peremptory challenge private litigant respectfully dissent dodson case brought rev stat statutory mechanism many constitutional claims issue case therefore whether public defender acted color state law lugar edmondson oil held statutory requirement action color state law identical state action requirement constitutional claims justice scalia dissenting join justice dissent demonstrates today opinion wrong principle write observe also unfortunate consequences concrete benefits newly discovered constitutional rule problematic necessarily net help rather hindrance minority litigants obtaining racially diverse juries criminal cases batson kentucky already prevents prosecution using strikes effect today decision logically must apply criminal prosecutions prevent defendant minority defendant longer seek prevent jury seat many jurors race possible sure ordinarily difficult prove strikes white jurors defense counsel generally relied upon say constitution requires criminal cases today decision represents net loss minority litigant civil cases probably true represent unqualified gain either sides peremptory challenges sometimes used assure rather prevent racially diverse jury concrete costs today decision hand doubtful enormous added duties state federal trial courts obligation assure race included among factors sex age religion political views economic status used private parties exercising peremptory challenges responsibility burden enough discharged adversary process course combined decision term powers ohio held party objecting allegedly peremptory challenge need race challenged juror today decision means sides civil jury cases matter race indeed even artificial entities corporations may lodge objections objections considered denied appeal denials consequence successful judgments overturned thus yet another complexity added increasingly byzantine system justice devotes energy sideshows less less merits case judging number batson claims made way even far regime certainty amount judges lawyers time devoted implementing today newly discovered law land enormous time diverted matters overall system justice certainly suffer alternatively course congress may simply abolish peremptory challenges cause justice suffer different fashion see holland illinois although today decision neither follows law produces desirable concrete results certainly great symbolic value overhaul doctrine state action fashion magnificent demonstration institution uncompromising hostility judgments even private actors price demonstration alas high much paid minority litigants use courts dissent