- What We Do
- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
  If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
  Submit a Case
- Make a difference
- Subscribe to FIRE Updates
  Subscribe to receive emails and texts about FIRE's work and upcoming events.
  Subscribe
- Take Action
  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
  Protect Free Speech
- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
  Explore Rankings
- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index is a new quarterly component of America’s Political Pulse, an ongoing weekly survey that will allow researchers to track shifting free speech sentiment in America over time.
  Learn More
Colleges
News
Cases
About Us
Submit a Case

ASHCROFT v. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (2004)

Supreme Court Cases

542 U.S. 656 (2004)

Case Overview

Legal Principle at Issue

Whether the court of appeals properly barred enforcement of the Child Online Protection Act on First Amendment grounds because the statute relies on community standards to identify material that is harmful to minors.

Action

Affirmed (includes modified). Petitioning party did not receive a favorable disposition.

Cite this page

ASHCROFT v. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (2004). (n.d.). First Amendment Library. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/ashcroft-v-american-civil-liberties-union-2004
ASHCROFT v. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (2004), First Amendment Library, https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/ashcroft-v-american-civil-liberties-union-2004 (last visited 29 Jul. 2025).
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). "ASHCROFT v. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (2004)." Oyez. https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/ashcroft-v-american-civil-liberties-union-2004 (accessed July 29, 2025).
"ASHCROFT v. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (2004)." First Amendment Library. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), n.d. 29 Jul. 2025, www.thefire.org/supreme-court/ashcroft-v-american-civil-liberties-union-2004.

Share this selection via email