Schneider v. State of New Jersey (1900)
- Docket
- 11
- Decided
- 1900-1940-
Summary
Question: Do cities’ interests in reducing littering justify encroachments upon the First Amendment by banning the distribution of pamphlets? Conclusion: Justice Owen J. Roberts delivered the opinion of a unanimous Court, and concluded the bans violated the First Amendment. The Court reasoned that the purpose of the ordinances to keep the streets clean and of good appearance was insufficient to justify prohibiting defendants from handing out literature to willing recipients. Municipalities may lawfully regulate the conduct of those using the streets, for the purpose of keeping them open and available for movement of people and property, so long as such legislation does not abridge the constitutional liberty of citizens to impart information through speech or the distribution of literature.