The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, United States Supreme Court, (1988) Case summary for Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier: After submission to the principal for final review, two articles discussing teen pregnancy and divorce were excluded from the school’s newspaper, Spectrum. Students challenged this action in district court claiming that exclusion violated their First Amendment […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Branzberg v. Hayes, United States Supreme Court, (1972) Case summary for Branzberg v. Hayes: Paul Branzberg, along with two others, challenged their contempt convictions after each refused to testify at a grand jury regarding the confidential identities and information they received. Each defendant claimed First Amendment protection as a news reporter, stating they were […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Snyder v. Phelps, 562 U.S. 443 (2011). Case Summary of Snyder v. Phelps: A church leader and several church members traveled to Maryland to picket at a military funeral. The picketers held signs decrying the moral decline of the U.S. and homosexuality in the military. The soldier’s father sued the church and church members because […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Tinker v. Des Moines, United States Supreme Court, (1969) Case summary for Tinker v. Des Moines: Students were suspended for wearing black arm bands in protest of the Vietnam War. Their parents challenged the suspension alleging their childrens’ First Amendment rights were violated. The Court held that absent a specific showing of a constitutionally […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Buckley v. Valeo, United States Supreme Court,(1976) Case summary for Buckley v. Valeo: Senator Buckley brought suit against Federal Election Commission (FEC) representative, Valeo, in district court. Buckley alleged Congress did not have the authority to appoint commissioners of the FEC and that the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) violated the First Amendment’s […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 (1969). Case Summary of Brandenburg v. Ohio: Brandenburg, a leader of the KKK, was convicted under Ohio’s Criminal Syndicalism statute, which prohibits advocating violence for political reform. The Ohio Supreme Court affirmed his conviction. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed. It found that the Ohio statute punishes mere advocacy […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, United States Supreme Court,(1964) Case summary for New York Times Co. v. Sullivan: Sullivan was a public official who brought a claim against New York Times Co. alleging defamation. The trial court told the jury that the article contained statements which constituted slander per se and Sullivan was […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Morse v. Frederick, United States Supreme Court,(2007) Case summary for Morse v. Frederick: Principal Morse suspended joseph Frederick for holding up a banner at a school event which read “Bong Hits 4 Jesus.” Frederick brought suit against Morse, claiming his First Amendment rights had been violated. The district court held that the speech was […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Engel v. Vitale, United States Supreme Court,(1962) Case summary for Engel v. Vitale: Vitale, in his official capacity, directed teachers to start off each day with a non-denominational prayer. Engel brought suit claiming such a practice violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and petitioned to the Supreme Court. The Court held that the requirement violated […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Garcetti v. Ceballos, United States Supreme Court, (2005) Case Summary for Garcetti v. Ceballos: Ceballos worked for the government, employed as a deputy district attorney. Ceballos was called by the defense to testify to the authenticity of an affidavit which he previously thought may be inaccurate. After testifying he was subject to discipline. Ceballos […]
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