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Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce

United States Supreme Court
494 U.S. 652 (1990)

Facts

The State of Michigan (defendant) enacted a statute that prohibited corporations from using corporate funds for contributions or independent expenditures to support or oppose any candidate in elections for state office. The validity of the law was challenged on First Amendment grounds.

Rule of Law

The rule of law is the black letter law upon which the court rested its decision.

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Marshall, J.)

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  • A “yes” or “no” answer to the question framed in the issue section;
  • A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
  • The procedural disposition (e.g. reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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Dissent (Scalia, J.)

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