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COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES v. SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES CONTROL BOARD

Supreme Court Cases

367 U.S. 1 (1961)

Case Overview

Legal Principle at Issue

Does requiring individuals to register their political party affiliation with the Attorney General violate the First Amendment?

Action

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

Facts/Syllabus

The Subversive Activities Control Act required the Communist Party to register with the Attorney General. The Supreme Court ruled that the registration requirements did not violate the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech or association because of the serious threat Communism posed to the country.

Importance of Case

Compelled registration of dangerous groups does not violate the First Amendment.