Byrne v. Karalexis (1969)
- Docket
- 83
- Decided
- 1969-01-01
- Category
- General
Summary
Question: Can an injunction be filed to prevent the use of a state statute that prohibited showing obscene films? Conclusion: No. In a per curiam opinion that represented a 5-justice majority, the Court held that the law did not represent a threat to any constitutional rights that could not be defended in an individual court case. Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. dissented. He argued that it was appropriate for Karalexis to seek federal relief from the law after he was already convicted on the obscenity charges, because clearly the trial did not defend his constitutional rights. He also argued that the district court erred by granting an injunction before the film was determined to be obscene. Justice Byron R. White and Justice Thurgood Marshall joined in the dissent. Justice William O. Douglas did not participate in the discussion or decision of this case.