---
title: "Chapman v. California"
citation: "386 U.S. 18 (1967)"
authority_id: "AUTH-SCOTUS-CHAPMAN-386-US-18"
authority_type: "case"
jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide"
precedential_status: "binding"
official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-386/pdf/USREPORTS-386-18.pdf"
url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-SCOTUS-CHAPMAN-386-US-18/"
legal_review: "2026-08-25"
links_checked: "2026-10-15"
links_available: 1
links_checked_count: 1
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# Chapman v. California

## Holding or rule used

Preserved constitutional trial error subject to harmlessness must be harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.

## Material limitation

Use only for the bounded proposition in the linked direct-review module; actual deadlines, records, issues, waivers, local rules, and circuit applications remain separate where identified.

## Official source and pinpoints

386 U.S. 18 (1967), 386 U.S. 22–24: <https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-386/pdf/USREPORTS-386-18.pdf>


## Used in

- [Review Standards, Briefing, Oral Argument, and Anders Procedure](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/50-direct-review/review-briefing-and-anders.md)