Edwards v. California (1940)
- Docket
- 17
- Decided
- 1940-1955-
Summary
Question: Does the California law violate the Constitution's Commerce Clause? Conclusion: Yes, the Commerce Clause forbids a state to exclude indigents. California's interest in the health of its citizens and the sufficiency of its welfare funds do not justify the burden on interstate commerce occasioned by the law. Byrnes's unanimous opinion observed that "the indigent non-residents who are the real victims of this statute are deprived of the opportunity to exert political pressure upon the California legislature in order to obtain a change in policy." (See Mayor of New York v. Miln.)