What is the minimum size of a criminal jury that has been approved by the U.S. Supreme Court?

The minimum size of a criminal jury that has been approved by the U.S. Supreme Court is six persons. This was established in the landmark case of Aldridge v. United States, where the Court held that a jury consisting of six members is constitutionally permissible for noncapital cases. While the traditional standard has been a twelve-member jury in serious criminal cases, the Court acknowledged that smaller juries can still provide an adequate measure of community representation and uphold the integrity of the judicial process. This distinction is crucial for understanding the flexibility within the jury system, allowing for a balance between efficiency and the rights of individuals facing prosecution.

In contrast, the other options represent either traditional jury sizes or sizes that have not received approval for criminal cases, indicating the specific legal threshold established by the Court.