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What was the central argument in Hernandez vs. Texas?

  1. Mexican Americans did not have the right to vote

  2. Mexican Americans were excluded from juries

  3. Mexican Americans were guaranteed a fair trial

  4. Mexican Americans could not own property

The correct answer is: Mexican Americans were excluded from juries

The central argument in Hernandez vs. Texas was focused on the exclusion of Mexican Americans from juries. This landmark case, decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954, was significant because it highlighted issues of racial discrimination and the violation of equal protection under the law. The case stemmed from the conviction of Pete Hernandez, a Mexican American man, who contended that he was denied a fair trial because his jury was composed exclusively of Anglos, thus not representing a cross-section of the community. This exclusion from juries was seen as a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal protection to all citizens. The Court ruled in favor of Hernandez, establishing that the systematic exclusion of Mexican Americans from jury service was unconstitutional. This case was crucial in affirming the rights of Mexican Americans and highlighted the importance of inclusive representation in the justice system. The ruling underscored that all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, should have equal access to the judicial process, which is foundational to the principles of fairness and equality in the American legal system.