Shelley v. Kraemer (1940)
- Docket
- 72
- Decided
- 1940-1955-
Summary
Question: Does the enforcement of a racially restrictive covenant violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment? Conclusion: In a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Fred Vinson, the Court held that standing alone, racially restrictive covenants do not violate the Fourteenth Amendment. Private parties may abide by the terms of such a covenant, but they may not seek judicial enforcement of such a covenant, as that would be a state action. Thus, the enforcements of the racially restrictive covenants in state court violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.