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Smith v. California

United States Supreme Court

361 U.S. 147 (1959)

Facts

A California bookseller was sentenced to prison for possession of an obscene book in the bookseller’s bookstore in violation of a Los Angeles city ordinance that made it unlawful to possess an obscene or indecent book or writing. The bookseller challenged the constitutionality of the statute.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Brennan, 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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Concurrence (Black, J.)

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