Flynt v. Ohio

451 U.S. 619 (1981)

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Flynt v. Ohio

United States Supreme Court
451 U.S. 619 (1981)

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Facts

The State of Ohio (plaintiff) charged Flynt and others (defendants), publishers of Hustler magazine, with disseminating obscenity in violation of state law based on a cartoon published in the magazine. The defendants moved to dismiss the charges on the ground that they were selectively and discriminatorily brought, in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The trial court agreed and dismissed the charges. An Ohio appeals court reversed, and the Ohio Supreme Court affirmed, remanding the matter for trial. Before the case went to trial, the defendants petitioned the United States Supreme Court for certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Per Curiam)

Dissent (Stevens, J.)

Dissent (Stewart, J.)

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