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Shneck Vs. United States
Charles T. Schenck was general secretary of the U.S. Socialist Party, which was against the execution of a military draft in the country. The party printed and distributed some 15,000 leaflets that called for men who were drafted to resist military service. Schenck was soon arrested for violating an act. -
Terminiello Vs. Chicago
Arthur Terminiello delivered a controversial speech in which he criticized various political and racial group. There was a protesting crowd that had gathered outside an auditorium in Chicago. Policemen were unable to prevent several accidents that had occurred bc of the "angry and turbulent" crowd. The police arrested Arthur for "breach of the peace." The Court that was held decided that speech could be restricted only in the event that it was "likely to produce a clear and present danger". -
Yates Vs. United States
Fourteen leaders of the Communist Party in the state of California were tried and convicted under the Smith Act. That Act prohibited willfully and knowingly conspiring to teach and advocate the overthrow of the government by force. In a 6-to-1 decision, the Court reversed the convictions and remanded the cases to a District Court for retrial. -
Stanley Vs. Georgia
Law enforcement officers, under the authority of a warrant, searched Stanley's home pursuant to an investigation of his alleged bookmaking activities. The officers viewed the films, concluded they were obscene, and seized them. Stanley was then tried and convicted under a Georgia law prohibiting the possession of obscene materials. Stanley stated that if the first amendment meant anything, it meant that a State had no business in violating his private property. -
Island Trees School District Vs. Pico
The Island Trees Union Free School District's Board of Education ordered that certain books be removed from its district's junior high and high school libraries. In support of its actions, the Board said certain books were: "anti-American, anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, and just plain filthy." Acting through his friend Francis Pico, and on behalf of several other students, Steven Pico brought suit in federal district court challenging the Board's decision to remove the books. The Board won. -
Texas Vs. Johnson
In front of the Dallas City Hall, Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag as a means of protest against Reagan administration policies. He was sentenced to one year in jail and was charged a $2,000 fine. In a 5-to-4 decision, the Court held that Johnson's burning of a flag was a protected expression under the First Amendment. The court decided that the government may not prohibit the expression of any idea, even if it's offensive to society. -
Keller Vs. State Bar of California
Attorneys licensed to practice in California are required by law to be members of, and pay dues to, the State Bar of California. In this action, 21 California attorneys sued the State Bar. The attorneys argued that such use of unnecessary dues violated their right to freedom of speech and freedom of association. In a unanimous decision, the Court held decided that attorneys were required to belong to the State Bar, but that their dues could be used only to improve the quality of the State Bar. -
Virginia Vs. Black
Barry Black, Richard Elliott, and Jonathan O'Mara were convicted of a felony for burning a cross. The Virginia statue states that burning a cross on the property of another, a highway or other public place," and specifies that "any such burning...shall be proof of an intent to intimidate a person or group." The Virginia Supreme Court stated that cross-burning is unconstitutional and that because the probability of prosecution, they decided that the act was protected by freedom of expression. -
Morse Vs. Frederick
At a school event, Joseph Frederick held up a banner with the message "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" a slang reference to marijuana smoking. The principal took away the banner and suspended Frederick for ten days. She justified her actions by stating that the banner promoted the use of illegal drugs. The District Court found no constitutional violation and ruled in favor of the district. The court concluding that school officials can prohibit students from displaying messages that promote illegal drug use. -
United States Vs. Alvarez
Mr. Alvarez, a member of the Three Valleys Water District Board of Directors, was invited to speak about his background, and he stated, "I'm a retired marine of 25 years" and also stated that he had won several awards. It was found that Mr. Alvarez had not received any military medal or decoration. He had also had never served in the United States Armed Forces. Supreme Court reasoned that the gov may not prohibit speech simply bc it's knowingly false. The court denied the request of rehearing.
