Freedom of Speech Flashcards
2 categories of laws restricting speech
FRAMEWORK // METHODOLOGY
- content-based = strict scrutiny
2. content-neutral = intermediate scrutiny
content-based
FRAMEWORK // METHODOLOGY
= applies to some speech differently
subject matter restriction
FRAMEWORK // METHODOLOGY
application of law depends on TOPIC of speech
viewpoint restriction
FRAMEWORK // METHODOLOGY
application of law depends on IDEOLOGY of the message
content-neutral
FRAMEWORK // METHODOLOGY
= applies to all speech the same
prior restraint
PRIOR RESTRAINTS // METHODOLOGY
= order from administrative system that stops speech before it occurs
prior restraint presumption
PRIOR RESTRAINTS // METHODOLOGY
strong presumption AGAINST prior restraints
2 content-based types
FRAMEWORK // METHODOLOGY
- subject matter restriction
2. viewpoint restriction
3 prior restraints
PRIOR RESTRAINTS // METHODOLOGY
- injunction
- licensing or permit systems
- gov physically seizes means of speech (like printing press)
constitutional amendment
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
1st Amendment
court order preventing speech - scrutiny
PRIOR RESTRAINTS // METHODOLOGY
strict scrutiny
licensing or permit systems - rule
PRIOR RESTRAINTS // METHODOLOGY
gov can require licensing/permit ONLY IF
- it has a good reason for licensing AND
- there are clear criteria that leaves almost no discretion to the licensing authority AND
- there are procedural safeguards (such as prompt termination of license requests and judicial review of license denials)
licensing or permit systems - procedural safeguard examples
PRIOR RESTRAINTS // METHODOLOGY
- prompt termination of license requests
- judicial review of license denials
vagueness
VAGUENESS & OVERBREADTH // METHODOLOGY
= if a reasonable person cannot tell what speech is prohibited and what is allowed
overbreadth
VAGUENESS & OVERBREADTH // METHODOLOGY
= regulates substantially more speech than constitution allows to be regulated
fighting words laws
VAGUENESS & OVERBREADTH // METHODOLOGY
- fighting words laws are ALWAYS unconstitutionally vague and overbroad
- BUT fighting words are not technically constitutionally protected
(SC has never upheld fighting words regulation since 1972, but also never overruled precedent)
fighting words
VAGUENESS & OVERBREADTH // METHODOLOGY
4 elements
- provocative personal insult
- direct tendency to cause IMMEDIATE violence
- face-to-face utterance
- directed at the individual
symbolic speech
SYMBOLIC SPEECH // METHODOLOGY
= conduct that communicates a message
o’brien test
SYMBOLIC SPEECH // METHODOLOGY
government can regulate symbolic speech IF
- regulation is within the constitutional power of gov
- it furthers an important gov interest
- the gov interest is unrelated to suppression of speech
- the incidental burden on speech is no greater than necessary
example - flag-burning v. draft card-burning
SYMBOLIC SPEECH // METHODOLOGY
flag-burning = constitutionally-protected speech
v.
draft card-burning = NOT protected speech
example - nude dancing
SYMBOLIC SPEECH // METHODOLOGY
nude dancing = NOT protected speech
example - burning a cross
SYMBOLIC SPEECH // METHODOLOGY
cross-burning = constitutionally-protected speech UNLESS done with intent to threaten
political contributions
SYMBOLIC SPEECH // METHODOLOGY
- gov MAY limit the amount a person may give to a particular candidate
- gov MAY NOT limit the amount a person or group may spend on an election or referendum
- gov MAY NOT limit the amount a persons spends on his or her own campaign
- gov MAY NOT limit a corporation’s right to engage in unlimited expenditures
anonymous speech
SYMBOLIC SPEECH // METHODOLOGY
PROTECTED
= right to speech without identifying yourself
government speech
SYMBOLIC SPEECH // METHODOLOGY
free speech clause of 1st amendment CANNOT be used to challenge GOVERNMENT speech
general rule
INCITEMENT OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
UNPROTECTED
modern test
INCITEMENT OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
government can punish speech if
- substantial likelihood of imminent illegal activity AND
- if speech is directed at causing imminent, illegal activity
6 types
UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
- incitement of illegal activity
- obscenity
- child porn
- commercial speech
- defamation
- private information
miller test
OBSCENITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
government can punish speech if
- the average person applying contemporary community standard would find the material, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interest AND
- material must be patently offensive under the law prohibiting obscenity AND
- taken as a whole, material must lack serious redeeming social value
miller test - prurient definition
OBSCENITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
= shameful or morbid interest in sex
miller test - prurient standard
OBSCENITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
determined by LOCAL/COMMUNITY standard
miller test - social value definition
OBSCENITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
serious artistic, literary, political, or scientific value
miller test - social value standard
OBSCENITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
determined by NATIONAL standard, not local regard
zoning of adult stores
OBSCENITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
rule = erogenous zoning is permissible
AKA local government may use zoning ordinances to regulate the location of adult movie/book stores
specific rules
OBSCENITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
- zoning of adult stores
- child porn
- private possession
- business asset seizure
child porn
OBSCENITY // UNPROTECTED OR LESS-PROTECTED
gov may prohibit child porn (child MUST be included in production)
EVEN IF it is not obscene