Law Students Civil Rights Research Council, Inc. v. Wadmond
United States Supreme Court
401 U.S. 154 (1971)
- Written by Gonzalo Rodriguez, JD
Facts
The State of New York required applicants to the Bar of New York to undergo a character and general-fitness inquiry prior to seeking admission. As part of this inquiry, Rule 9406 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules required applicants to disclose whether the applicant had ever been associated with any organization that advocated for the overthrow of the government of the United States or any state, and to disclose the applicant’s belief in and loyalty to the constitutions of the United States and the State of New York. The Law Students Civil Rights Research Council (plaintiff) sued Lowell Wadmond, chairman of the New York Committee on Character and Fitness (the state) (defendant) challenging the constitutionality of this inquiry as vague and overbroad under the First Amendment. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York held that the challenged questions did not violate the Constitution, and the Law Students Civil Rights Research Council appealed directly to the United States Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Stewart, J.)
Dissent (Marshall, J.)
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