In the United States v. Jackson et al., 1967, the Supreme Court ruled that a provision of the Federal Kidnapping Act was unconstitutional because it encouraged defendants to waive their right to a jury trial and plead guilty in order to avoid potential death penalty sentences. The case involved three men who were charged with kidnapping resulting in death under this act. They challenged its constitutionality on grounds that it unfairly pressured them into pleading guilty for fear of receiving capital punishment if they opted for a jury trial instead. The court agreed, finding that such pressure undermined the fairness of criminal proceedings by discouraging exercise of constitutional rights like having one's guilt or innocence determined by peers through a fair trial process.

In the dissenting opinion for United States v. Jackson et al., Justice Harlan argued that the majority's decision to invalidate part of a federal law due to its potential coercive effect on defendants' rights was an overreach of judicial power. He contended that it is not within the Court's purview to speculate about possible pressures faced by defendants in deciding whether or not to plead guilty, as these are inherent aspects of any criminal proceeding and do not necessarily render a statute unconstitutional. Furthermore, he expressed concern that this ruling could set a dangerous precedent leading courts into areas where they have no competence or control. Instead, he believed it should be left up to Congress and state legislatures - who are more equipped with fact-finding resources - to determine if changes need be made in this area of law.