The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, whose special courts are accused of robbing defendants of the right to a jury trial. Photo: Ariel Zambelich/The Wall Street JournalWASHINGTON—The Supreme Court on Wednesday will consider a case that could severely limit the Securities and Exchange Commission’s use of its special in-house courts to punish wrongdoers. Critics have complained about the SEC’s special courts for years, saying they rob defendants, including those accused of fraud, of their right to a jury trial. Administrative law judges, who preside in the in-house courts, are supposed to be independent but are appointed by the same commissioners who authorize the enforcement cases that the judges hear.

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Persons: Ariel Zambelich, wrongdoers, Critics Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Street Journal WASHINGTON, Securities, Exchange Locations: Washington