Schenck v. United States

Citation

249 U.S. 47 (1919)

Facts

Stub — to be completed.

Issue

Stub — to be completed.

Holding

Stub — to be completed.

Rule

Speech that creates a “clear and present danger” of a substantive evil that Congress has the right to prevent is not protected by the First Amendment; context matters (the famous “falsely shouting fire in a crowded theatre” analogy).

Significance

Holmes’ first articulation of the clear and present danger test; substantially limited by subsequent cases, now largely superseded by Brandenburg v. Ohio.

Courses