This decision represented a positive step towards the elimination of racial discrimination in the Federal courts. Although the Court may use a shaky basis for its reasoning, the result will be positive changes in the Federal courts. Both the plaintiff and the defendant in a Federal civil case will now have a greater sense of assurance that racial discrimination will not be a factor in the jury selection process. By continuing to place limitations on the use of peremptory challenges, the Supreme Court appears to be heading toward an unfortunate eventual result: the total elimination of peremptory challenges. These challenges are an instrumental device in selecting fair and impartial juries. Another unresolved issue is whether the prohibition against the discriminatory use of peremptory challenges will now apply to criminal defendants. Footnotes