Speech Flashcards
What does the First Amendment protect?
Freedom of expression (speech, religion, press, assembly, & association)
Define symbolic speech.
Expressive conduct meant to convey a particular message (e.g. wearing black arm bands in protest)
When can the government regulate symbolic speech?
Regulation furthers important gov. interest; Interest is unrelated to suppression of the message; and Impact on speech is no greater than necessary to achieve interest.
Are restrictions on flag burning constitutional?
Unconstitutional
Are restrictions on public nudity constitutional?
Constitutional b/c interest in harmful effects
Are restrictions on leafleting constitutional?
Constitutional b/c interest in littering
Are restrictions on cross-burning constitutional?
Constitutional if meant to threaten
Define content-based restriction.
Restriction based on the speech’s subject matter; i.e. disagreement with the message it contains. Can be either content-based on its face or as applied.
Subject to strict scrutiny.
What 5 types of speech can be regulated on the basis of content?
Obscenity; Incitement; Fighting words; Defamation; and Commercial speech.
Can be regulated as long as statute is narrow, does not need to meet strict scrutiny.
Define content-neutral restriction.
Applies neutrally to all content regardless of viewpoint or subject matter.
Ex. time, place, or manner restriction. Subject to intermediate scrutiny.
Define public forum.
Places historically open to the public for expression (e.g. parks and sidewalks). Can be either traditional or designated.
Distinguish traditional vs. designated public forum.
Traditional: traditional public areas (e.g. sidewalks, parks, etc.) that cannot be changed into nonpublic forums. Designated: Designated as public forums during certain hours or in general (e.g. municipal meeting rooms). Can be changed into nonpublic forums.
What are the 3 requirements needed for a valid time, place, or manner restriction in a public forum?
Restriction is: Content-neutral; Leaves open ample, alternative channels of communication; and Narrowly tailored to serve significant government interest (not compelling gov. interest).
Is there a right to picket a single residence?
No
When will a regulation on speech in a designated public forum be upheld?
When forum is open for speech and: Regulates time, place, or manner (i.e. is content-neutral); Is narrowly tailored to serve significant government interest; and Leaves open ample, alternative channels of communication.
Define non-public forum.
Public property that is not open to speech (e.g. schools, jails, airports).
When is a restriction on speech in a non-public forum valid?
Viewpoint neutral (**does not need to be content neutral); and Reasonably related to a legitimate government purpose.
Define viewpoint neutral restriction.
One that restricts entire categories of speech, but not viewpoints within a category.
Ex. Restriction on all Second Amendment speech would be allowed, but restriction on only anti-Second Amendment speech would not be allowed.
Define prior restraint.
Blocks speech before it is expressed. Subject to strict scrutiny.
Highly unfavored and presumptively unconstitutional except in extremely rare instances.
When is a prior restraint on speech allowed?
Only allowed in extremely rare circumstances such as: During wartime or national security crisis to protect troops/citizens; or To prevent incitement of violence.
Define overbroad.
Regulation that restricts substantially more speech than is constitutionally allowed (i.e. restricts unprotected and protected speech). Renders regulation void.
Define vagueness.
Restriction is void for vagueness if reasonable person does not understand what the law requires or prohibits.
Can the government restrict inmates’ free speech?
Yes, as long as the regulation is rationally related to a legitimate penalogical objective and an alternate way to express legitimate speech is available.
Does the press have more First Amendment rights than the general public?
No, same rights public at large.
Is the media protected by the First Amendment for publishing a lawfully obtained private fact?
Yes, as long as story is matter of public concern (i.e. newsworthy).
Are gag orders constitutional?
Very rarely constitutional, unless they are the least restrictive means necessary to ensure D has a fair trial.
Do the public and press have a right to attend trials?
Criminal trials: Yes, but can be overruled upon showing of overriding interest. Civil trials: Unclear.
Can the government regulate broadcast TV?
Can only fine stations for airing ‘patently offensive and excretory speech’.
Content-based regulations of cable TV are subject to what level of scrutiny?
Strict scrutiny.
Content-neutral regulations of cable TV are subject to what level of scrutiny?
Intermediate Scrutiny (e.g. ‘must carry’ provisions).
What is the 3-prong test to determine whether speech is obscene?
Appeals to ‘prurient interests;’ (community standard); Depicts or describes sexual conduct in a way that is patently offensive to community standards and applicable state law; and Lacks serious artistic, literary, political, or scientific value as determined by national standards.
Are zoning restrictions on adult entertainment establishments constitutional?
Yes, if zoning is to prevent adverse ‘secondary effects’ caused by the business, such as increased neighborhood crime.
Is profanity protected?
Yes unless: Broadcast over public television; or In public schools.
When can the government regulate speech that is incitement to violence?
Regulation must be narrowly tailored and only aimed at: Speech that promotes or directs imminent illegal action; and Creates a ‘clear and present danger’ of such action.
Define fighting words.
Substantially likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction (e.g. direct personal insult).
Are attempts to limit fighting words constitutional?
Limitations will almost always fail for being either overbroad, vague, or viewpoint-based and thus failing strict scrutiny.
Define commercial speech.
Speech whose primary goal is commerce (e.g. commercial or advertisement for a product or service).
What is the four-part test to determine whether regulation of commercial speech is constitutional?
Must satisfy Central Hudson Test: Speech is not false, misleading, or illegal; Regulation serves substantial government interest; Regulation directly advances interest; and Regulation is not more extensive than necessary to serve that interest.
What is unprotected commercial speech?
Speech that is misleading, false, or unlawful and can be regulated freely by the government.
