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Freedom of Speech & Expression
CAIN et al. v. KENTUCKY, 397 U.S. 319 (1970)
- Argued:
- N/A
- Decided:
- March 23, 1970
- Decided by:
- Burger Court, 1969
- Action:
- Reversed. Petitioning party received a favorable disposition.
See Opinion tab for full case information.
Majority Opinion
Hugo Black William Douglas Potter Stewart Thurgood Marshall William Brennan Byron White
Concurring Opinion
No opinions found
Dissenting Opinion
CAIN ET AL.
v.
KENTUCKY.
Supreme Court of United States.
APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF APPEALS OF KENTUCKY.
Edmund C. Grainger, Jr., and James E. Thornberry for appellants.
John B. Breckinridge, Attorney General of Kentucky, and John B. Browning, Assistant Attorney General, for appellee.
PER CURIAM.
The judgment is reversed. Redrup v. New York, 386 U. S. 767.
MR. CHIEF JUSTICE BURGER, dissenting.
In my view we should not inflexibly deny to each of the States the power to adopt and enforce its own standards as to obscenity and pornographic materials; States ought to be free to deal with varying conditions and problems in this area. I am unwilling to say that Kentucky is without power to bar public showing of this film; therefore, I would affirm the judgment from which the appeal is taken.
MR. JUSTICE HARLAN, dissenting.
If this case involved obscenity regulation by the Federal Government, I would unhesitatingly reverse the conviction, for the reasons stated in my separate opinion in Roth v. United States, 354 U. S. 476, 496 (1957). Even in light of the much greater flexibility that I have always thought should be accorded to the States in this field, see, e. g., my dissenting opinion in Jacobellis v. Ohio, 378 U. S. 184, 203 (1964), suppression of this *320 particular film presents a borderline question. However, laying aside my own personal estimate of the film, I cannot say that Kentucky has exceeded the constitutional speed limit in banning public showing of the film within its borders, and accordingly I vote to affirm the judgment below.
Freedom of Speech & Expression
EDMUND G. BROWN, JR., GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA, et al., PETITIONERS v. ENTERTAINMENT MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION, et al., 564 U.S. 786 (2011)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
UNITED STATES v. MICHAEL WILLIAMS, 553 U.S. 285 (2008)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
JOHN D. ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL v. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION et al., 542 U.S. 656 (2004)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CITY OF LITTLETON, COLORADO v. Z. J. GIFTS D-4, L. L. C., A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, DBA CHRISTAL’S, 541 U.S. 774 (2004)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
UNITED STATES, et al. v. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, INC., et al., 539 U.S. 194 (2003)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CITY OF LOS ANGELES v. ALAMEDA BOOKS, INC., et al., 535 U.S. 425 (2002)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL v. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, et al., 535 U.S. 564 (2002)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
JOHN D. ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL, et al. v. THE FREE SPEECH COALITION et al., 535 U.S. 234 (2002)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
UNITED STATES, et al. v. PLAYBOY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC., 529 U.S. 803 (2000)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CITY OF ERIE, et al. v. PAP’S A. M., TDBA ‘KANDYLAND’, 529 U.S. 277 (2000)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
JANET RENO, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, et al. v. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION et al., 521 U.S. 844 (1997)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
UNITED STATES v. X-CITEMENT VIDEO, INC., et al., 513 U.S. 64 (1994)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
FERRIS J. ALEXANDER, SR. v. UNITED STATES, 509 U.S. 544 (1993)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
MICHAEL BARNES, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA, et al. v. GLEN THEATRE, INC., et al., 501 U.S. 560 (1991)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
FW/PBS, INC., DBA PARIS ADULT BOOKSTORE II, et al. v. CITY OF DALLAS et al., 493 U.S. 215 (1990)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
SABLE COMMUNICATIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC. v. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION et al., 492 U.S. 115 (1989)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
MASSACHUSETTS v. OAKES, 491 U.S. 576 (1989)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
FORT WAYNE BOOKS, INC. v. INDIANA et al., 489 U.S. 46 (1989)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
POPE et al. v. ILLINOIS, 481 U.S. 497 (1987)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, et al. v. IACOBUCCI, DBA TALK OF THE TOWN, et al., 479 U.S. 92 (1986)
- Lower Court Ruling:
- Overruled (in part)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
ARCARA, DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF ERIE COUNTY v. CLOUD BOOKS, INC., DBA VILLAGE BOOK & NEWS STORE, et al., 478 U.S. 697 (1986)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 403 et al. v. FRASER, A MINOR, et al., 478 U.S. 675 (1986)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
NEW YORK v. P.J. VIDEO, INC., DBA NETWORK VIDEO, et al., 475 U.S. 868 (1986)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CITY OF RENTON et al. v. PLAYTIME THEATRES, INC., et al., 475 U.S. 41 (1986)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
BROCKETT v. SPOKANE ARCADES, INC., et al., 472 U.S. 491 (1985)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CALIFORNIA ex rel. COOPER, CITY ATTORNEY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA v. MITCHELL BROTHERS’ SANTA ANA THEATER et al., 454 U.S. 90 (1981)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
NEW YORK STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY v. BELLANCA, DBA THE MAIN EVENT, et al., 452 U.S. 714 (1981)
- Lower Court Ruling:
- Overruled (in part)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
SCHAD et al. v. BOROUGH OF MOUNT EPHRAIM, 452 U.S. 61 (1981)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
FLYNT et al. v. OHIO, 451 U.S. 619 (1981)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
VANCE et al. v. UNIVERSAL AMUSEMENT CO., INC., et al., 445 U.S. 308 (1980)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION v. PACIFICA FOUNDATION et al., 438 U.S. 726 (1978)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
PINKUS, DBA ROSSLYN NEWS CO. et al. v. UNITED STATES, 436 U.S. 293 (1978)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
SPLAWN v. CALIFORNIA, 431 U.S. 595 (1977)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
SMITH v. UNITED STATES, 431 U.S. 291 (1977)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
MARKS et al. v. UNITED STATES, 430 U.S. 188 (1977)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
YOUNG, MAYOR OF DETROIT, et al. v. AMERICAN MINI THEATRES, INC., et al., 427 U.S. 50 (1976)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
MCKINNEY v. ALABAMA, 424 U.S. 669 (1976)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
ERZNOZNIK v. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, 422 U.S. 205 (1975)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
SOUTHEASTERN PROMOTIONS, LTD. v. CONRAD et al., 420 U.S. 546 (1975)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
HAMLING et al. v. UNITED STATES, 418 U.S. 87 (1974)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
ALEXANDER et al. v. VIRGINIA, 413 U.S. 836 (1973)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
MILLER v. CALIFORNIA, 413 U.S. 15 (1973)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
PARIS ADULT THEATRE I et al. v. SLATON, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, et al., 413 U.S. 49 (1973)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
KAPLAN v. CALIFORNIA, 413 U.S. 115 (1973)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
UNITED STATES v. 12 200-FT. REELS OF SUPER 8MM. FILM et al. (PALADINI, CLAIMANT), 413 U.S. 123 (1973)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
UNITED STATES v. ORITO, 413 U.S. 139 (1973)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
PAPISH v. BOARD OF CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI et al., 410 U.S. 667 (1973)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CALIFORNIA et al. v. LARUE et al., 409 U.S. 109 (1972)
- Lower Court Ruling:
- Overruled (in part)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
UNITED STATES v. THIRTY-SEVEN (37) PHOTOGRAPHS (LUROS, CLAIMANT), 402 U.S. 363 (1971)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
UNITED STATES v. REIDEL, 402 U.S. 351 (1971)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
GROVE PRESS, INC., et al. v. MARYLAND STATE BOARD OF CENSORS, 401 U.S. 480 (1971)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
BLOUNT, POSTMASTER GENERAL, et al. v. RIZZI, DBA THE MAIL BOX, 400 U.S. 410 (1971)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
HOYT et al. v. MINNESOTA, 399 U.S. 524 (1970)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
BLOSS et al. v. DYKEMA, 398 U.S. 278 (1970)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
ROWAN, DBA AMERICAN BOOK SERVICE, et al. v. UNITED STATES POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT et al., 397 U.S. 728 (1970)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
LEE ART THEATRE, INC. v. VIRGINIA, 392 U.S. 636 (1968)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
INTERSTATE CIRCUIT, INC., et al. v. CITY OF DALLAS, 391 U.S. 53 (1968)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
GINSBERG v. NEW YORK, 390 U.S. 629 (1968)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
INTERSTATE CIRCUIT, INC. v. CITY OF DALLAS, 390 U.S. 676 (1968)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
FELTON et al. v. CITY OF PENSACOLA, 390 U.S. 340 (1968)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
I.M. AMUSEMENT CORP. v. OHIO., 389 U.S. 573 (1968)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
ROBERT-ARTHUR MANAGEMENT CORP. v. TENNESSEE ex rel. CANALE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL, 389 U.S. 578 (1968)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CHANCE v. CALIFORNIA, 389 U.S. 89 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CENTRAL MAGAZINE SALES, LTD. v. UNITED STATES, 389 U.S. 50 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
POTOMAC NEWS CO. v. UNITED STATES, 389 U.S. 47 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CONNER v. CITY OF HAMMOND, 389 U.S. 48 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
ADAY et al. v. UNITED STATES, 388 U.S. 447 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
BOOKS, INC. v. UNITED STATES, 388 U.S. 449 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
FRIEDMAN v. NEW YORK, 388 U.S. 441 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
RATNER et al. v. CALIFORNIA, 388 U.S. 442 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
SHEPERD et al. v. NEW YORK, 388 U.S. 444 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
AVANSINO et al. v. NEW YORK, 388 U.S. 446 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
CORINTH PUBLICATIONS, INC. v. WESBERRY et al., 388 U.S. 448 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
ROSENBLOOM v. VIRGINIA, 388 U.S. 450 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
A QUANTITY OF COPIES OF BOOKS et al. v. KANSAS, 388 U.S. 452 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
SCHACKMAN et al. v. CALIFORNIA, 388 U.S. 454 (1967)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
REDMOND et ux. v. UNITED STATES, 384 U.S. 264 (1966)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
A BOOK NAMED ‘JOHN CLELAND’S MEMOIRS OF A WOMAN OF PLEASURE’ et al. v. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MASSACHUSETTS, 383 U.S. 413 (1966)
- Lower Court Ruling:
- Overruled
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
MISHKIN v. NEW YORK, 383 U.S. 502 (1966)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
GINZBURG et al. v. UNITED STATES, 383 U.S. 463 (1966)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
GROVE PRESS, INC., v. GERSTEIN, STATE ATTORNEY, et al., 378 U.S. 577 (1964)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
TRALINS v. GERSTEIN, STATE ATTORNEY, 378 U.S. 576 (1964)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
BANTAM BOOKS, INC., et al. v. SULLIVAN et al., 372 U.S. 58 (1963)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
MANUAL ENTERPRISES, INC., et al. v. DAY, POSTMASTER GENERAL, 370 U.S. 478 (1962)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
SMITH v. CALIFORNIA, 361 U.S. 147 (1959)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
KINGSLEY INTERNATIONAL PICTURES CORP. v. REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, 360 U.S. 684 (1959)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
KINGSLEY BOOKS, INC., et al. v. BROWN, CORPORATION COUNSEL, 354 U.S. 436 (1957)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
ROTH v. UNITED STATES, 354 U.S. 476 (1957)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
SUPERIOR FILMS, INC. v. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF OHIO, DIVISION OF FILM CENSORSHIP, HISSONG, SUPERINTENDENT, 346 U.S. 587 (1954)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
UNITED STATES v. ALPERS, 338 U.S. 680 (1950)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
WINTERS v. NEW YORK, 333 U.S. 507 (1948)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
MUTUAL FILM CORPORATION v. INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION OF OHIO, 236 U.S. 230 (1915)
- Lower Court Ruling:
- Overruled
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Freedom of Speech & Expression
FOX v. STATE OF WASHINGTON, 236 U.S. 273 (1915)
- Related Sub-Topic:
- Obscenity
Topics: Freedom of Speech & Expression, Obscenity
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