Loving v. Virginia
United States Supreme Court
388 U.S. 1 (1967)
- Written by Megan Petersen, JD
Facts
In June 1958, Mildred Jeter, an African American woman, and Richard Loving, a Caucasian man (defendants), were married in the District of Columbia pursuant to its laws. They later moved to Virginia (plaintiff) and resided in Caroline County. The laws of Virginia, however, banned interracial marriages within the state. In October 1958, the Lovings were indicted for violating the Virginia law. They pleaded guilty and were sentenced to one year in jail, but the trial court suspended the sentence for 25 years on the condition that the Lovings would leave Virginia and not return to the state together for 25 years. The Lovings then moved to the District of Columbia, but they filed suit in state trial court to vacate the judgment against them on the grounds that it violated the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. The supreme court of appeals affirmed the constitutionality of the Virginia statutes and upheld the convictions. The Lovings appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Warren, C.J.)
Concurrence (Stewart, J.)
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