1st Am Flashcards

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1
Q

Which regulation, content-based OR conduct-based, is more likely to be held unconstitutional?

A

Content-based! In general, a reg seeking to forbid communication of SPECIFIC IDEAS (content-based) is LESS likely to be upheld than regulation of CONDUCT incidental to speech

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2
Q

What are the scrutiny stds for contest-based and content-neutral restrictions, respectively?

A

Content based restrictions on speech must meet STRICT SCRUTINY Content-NETUTRAL restrictions(i.e. applies to ALL speech regardless of viewpt) burdening speech generally need only meet INTERMEDIATE SCRUTINY

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3
Q

What are the 2 alternative ways of finding that a law is content-based?

A

1) Subject matter restrictions: application of the law depends on the topic of the msg 2) Viewpt restrictions: application of the law depends on the IDEOLOGY of the speech

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4
Q

What is “prior restraint” and the level of scrutiny that it must meet?

A

Prior restraint = stopping speach BEFORE it occurs Ct orders surpressing speecg MUST meet STRICT SCRUTINY Gag orders on the press to prevent pejudicial PRE-trial publicity are NOT allowed

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5
Q

Must a prior restraint challenger follow a ct Gag Order?

A

YES! Procedurally proper ct orders MUST be complied w/ UNTIL they are VACATED or OVERTURNED A person who violates a ct order is BARRED from later challenging it

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6
Q

What are 3 requirements that must be met before the gov’t can require a license for speech?

A

1) There has to be an IMPORTANT reason for licensing 2) There must be CLEAR CRITERIA, leaving almost NO discretion to the licensing authority 3) There must be PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS suh as prompt determination of requests for licenses and judicial review of license denials

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7
Q

What is the std for a speech regulation being struck down for vagueness OR overbreadth?

A

1) A law is unconstitutionally VAGUE if a reasonable person CANNOT tell what speech is prohibited and what is allowed E.g. fighting words are NOT protected speech, BUT statutes attempting to punish the use of such words are often found to be VOID for VAGUENESS 2) A law is unconstitutionally OVERBROAD if it regulates subtl MORE speech than the constitution allows to be regulated

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8
Q

What are the elements of defamation? NOTE: NY Distinction

A

1) Defamatory language of OR concerning the π Defamatory = if it adversely affects the reputation the subject of that stmt (i.e. name calling&raquo_space; never; fact-based opinion&raquo_space; maybe) Has to be concerning a living person Stmts abt a group: (i) if the stmts are about a large group, NO one is defamed; (ii) if the stmt is about a small group, π may recover if it can be reasonably be associated with π 2) Publication (intentionally OR negligently)by ∆ to a 3d person (NOT just π) NO de minimis req: revealing to ONE 3d person is sufficient for publication Primary publishers (newspapers, etc) are ALWAYS liable; secondary publishers (newspaper stand, etc) MAY be liable (if they knew of defamatory content) 3) Damage to π’s reputation (type depends on type of defamation) Libel (written/printed/broadcasted publication of defamatory language): general damages are PRESUMED; no need to prove special damages Slander (spoken defamatory language): UNLESS slander per se [(i) related to π’s business/profession; (ii) π has committed crime of moral torpitude (e.g. fraud); (iii) the woman π is unchaste; (iv) π has loathesome disease (leprosy; or STD)], π has to prove special economic damages NY DISTINCTION: there is an additional slander per se category available: imputation of homosexulaity …[1st Am reqs] ONLY IF matter of “public concern”… 4) Falsity of the dematory language If stmt is TRUE, then NO c/a for defamation 5) Fault on ∆’s part (depending π’s status) If π is PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR FIGURE, π has to prove malice (knowledge that stmt is false OR reckless disrgard as to its truth) to get damages If π is PRIVATE PERSON AND matter of PUBLIC CONCERN, π has to prove at least negligence as to stmts falsity to get damages for ACTUAL INJURY NOTE: liability for IIED for defamatory speech MUST meet the defamation stds and CANNOT exist for speech otherwise protected by the 1st Am

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9
Q

When can the gov’t regulate symbolic speech?

A

The gov’t may regulate CONDUCT that communicates (symbolic speech) IF: 1) it has an IMPORTANT interest UNRELATED to the supression of the msg; AND 2) the impact on communication is NO greater than NECESSARY to achieve the gov’t goal ——————- Gov’t ALLOWED to regulate… Draft card burning (b/c of potential for national emergency) Nude dancing Contribution ltds to individual candidate campaigns Gov’t NOT ALLOWED to regulate… Flag burning Cross burning (AS LONG AS not done to threaten/intimidate) Overall EXPENDITURE limits in campaigns (gov’t cannot ltd the amt a person/corp/union spends to get a candidate elected, SO LONG AS the expenditures are indpendent of the candidate and are not disguised)

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10
Q

Is anonymous speech protected by the 1st Am?

A

YES! BUT NOTE: A state’s interest in promoting transparency and accountability in elections is SUFFICIENT to justify public disclosure of the names/addys of persons who sign ballot petitions

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11
Q

Is speech BY the gov’t restricted by the 1st Am?

A

Speech BY the gov’t CANNOT be challenged as violating the 1st Am Gov’t speech AND gov’t FUNDING of speech will be upheld SO LONG AS it is rationally related to a legitimate gov’t interest (rational basis)

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12
Q

What5 categories of speech are UNPROTECTED p/t the 1st Am?

A

REMEMBER: CONTENT-based restrictions of speech must meet STRICT SCRUTINY (law is NECESSARY to achieve a COMPELLING gov’t interest) Regulation of the following is COMPELLING… 1) Incitement of illegal activity The gov’t may punish speech IF (i) there is a SUBSTL likelihood of imminent illegal activity;AND (ii) the speech is directed to causing such illegality 2) Obscenity 3) Defamatory speech 4) Fighting words: true threats or personally abusive actions (cross burning to intimidate) —————— ALSO REMEMBER: CONTENT-neutral restrictions of speech must meet INTERMEDIATE SCRUTINY (law is SUBSTL RELATED to an IMP gov’t interest) Regulation of the following is IMPORTANT… 5) SOME commercial speech: Advertising for illegal activity; OR false/deceptive ads are NOT protected EVEN true commercial speech that inherently risks deception can be prohibited (e.g. using certain trade names)

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13
Q

What are the 3 reqs for speech to be deemed obscene?

A

Speech is obscene (UNPROTECTED) IF… 1) the material appeals to the prurient interest(“shameful or morbid interest in sex”)(based on COMMUNITY std); 2) the material must be PATENTLY offensive (based on COMMUNITY std); AND 3) the material LACKS serious redeeming artistic, literary, poltical OR scientific value (based on NATIONAL std) NOTE: The gov’t MAY use zoning ordinances to regulate the number/location of adult bookstores/movie theaters CHILD PORN (i.e. children in the production of the material) may be COMPLETELY banned, even if it’s NOT obscene The gov’t CAN’T punish the PRIVATE possession of obscene materials; BUT the gov’t CAN punish the private possession of CHILD PORN The gov’t may seize the assets of businesses CONVICTED of violating obscentity laws PROFANE/INDECENT speech is generally PROTECTED by the 1st Am; EXCEPT… on free, over-the-air broadcast media (TV/radio); AND in schools

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14
Q

May the gov’t restrict speech by gov’t EMPLOYEES?

A

YES! Speech by gov’t emps on the job in the performance of their duties is NOT protected by the 1st Am

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15
Q

May the gov’t impose liability for TRUTHFUL reporting of LEGALLY obtained gov’t information?

A

NO! A state may NOT create liability for the TRUTHFUL reporting of information that was LEGALLY obtained from the gov’t records (e.g. a rape victim’s identity obtained lawfully by a reporter)

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16
Q

Can the media be held liable for broadcasting ILLEGALLY obtained information?

A

NO, SO LONG AS… (i) the media did not PARTICIPATE in the illegality; AND (ii) it involves a matter of public importance

17
Q

What is the ONLY instance where the public has a 1st Am right to attend a gov’t proceeding?

A

Criminal trials and pre-trial proceedings: This right can ONLY be restricted by sanction that is NARROWLY TAILORED to further an interest of the HIGHEST order (e.g. to protect children who are victims of sex offenses) Otherwise, the gov’t MAY restrict its own dissimination of information

18
Q

What is the std for regulating speech in public OR designated public forums?

A

Public forums = gov’t properties that the gov’t is constutionally req’dto make available for speech Designated public forums = gov’t properties that the gov’t could close off to speech, but chooses VOLUNTARILY to open to speech ————- Std = Gov’t can pass “time, place or manner” regulations, IF they… (i) are content-neutral (subject matter OR viewpt); If NOT content neutral, reg must meet STRICT SCRUTINY (ii) are narrowly tailored to serve an IMPORTANT gov’t interest; AND Narrow tailoring does NOT mean that it has to be least restrictive alternative Permit fee reqs for parades/demonstrations ARE unconst if city officials have DISCRETION in setting the amt of the fee (iii) leave open an alternative channel of communication

19
Q

What is the std for regulating speech in ltd public OR non-public forums?

A

Ltd public forums = gov’t properties that are ltd to certain groupsORdedicated to discussion of only some subjects Non-public forums = gov’t properties that the gov’t can constitutionally close off to speech; e.gs. include… Military bases Areas outside prisons Public schools Sidewalks in front of POST OFFICE Airports (but can’t prohibit distribution of literature) ————- Std = Gov’t CAN regulate speech to reserve the forum for its intended use, BUT regs must be… (i) viewpt neutral (don’t have to be subject matter neutral!); AND (ii) reasonably related to a legitimate gov’t purpose (rational basis)

20
Q

What is the std for regulating speech in private forums?

A

There is NO 1st Am right of access to private property for speech purposes E.g., a shopping mall

21
Q

What is the scruitiny std for freedom of association?

A

Laws that PROHIBIT or PUNISH group membership must meet STRICT SCRUTINY Laws that require DISCLOSURE of group membership where such disclosure would chill association MUST meet strict scrutiny

22
Q

What 3 requirements must be met in order to punish based on group membership?

A

Assuming strict scrutiny is met, to punish membership in a group it must be proven that the person… (i) is ACTIVELY affiliated w/ the group; (ii) has KNOWLEDGE of the group’s illegal activities; AND (iii) has SPECIFIC INTENT of furthering those illegal activities or objectives

23
Q

Does freedom of association protect the private right to discriminate?

A

NO! EXCEPTIONS: (i) “Intimate association” (e.g. a small dinner party) (ii) where discrimination is integral to the expressive activities of the group (e.g. excluding gay kids from the Boy Scouts)

24
Q

Does freedom of association protect the private right to discriminate?

A

NO! EXCEPTIONS: (i) “Intimate association” (e.g. a small dinner party) (ii) where discrimination is integral to the expressive activities of the group (e.g. excluding gay kids from the Boy Scouts; KKK excluding blacks)

25
Q

What is the Free Exercise Cl?

A

Prohibits gov’t from punishing someone on the basis of her religious beliefs The gov’t may NOT deny benefits to individuals who quit their jobs for religious reasons NOTE: the Free Exercise Cl CANNOT be used to challenge NEUTRAL laws of general applicablity

26
Q

When is a law valid under the Establishment Cl?

A

Lemon Test: Gov’t action is valid under the Est. Cl, IF it… “S-E-X” (i) has a SECULAR purpose (ii) the primary EFFECT must be NEITHER to advance nor prohibit religion the gov’t cannot discriminate AGAINST or AMONG religions (iii) there must not be EXCESSIVE gov’t entaglement w/ religion Otherwise it HAS to meet STRICT SCRUTINY E.gs.. Gov’t sponsored religious activity in public schools is unconst Religious student and community groups MUST have the same access to school facilities as non-religious groups School prayer (even if voluntary or silent) is unconst The gov’t CAN give assistance to parochial schools, SO LONG AS it is NOT used for religious instruction (e.g. provide parents w/ vouchers, which they can use in parochial schools)