Overview
Read the syllabus, headnotes and at least the majority opinion in R.A.V. v St. Paul, 505 U.S. 377 (1992) or Texas v Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989). (attached)
Find and read at least one online legal resource (e.g. Oyez or JUSTICA, but not Wikipedia) discussing the case.
Find and read an authoritative and substantive article discussing the result and significance of the case. This could be a law review article or a detailed article in the popular press (e.g. The New York Times, The New Republic, The Atlantic).
Write a discussion paper of no more than 500 words (2 pages double-spaced) in which you do the following:
Clearly state the FIRST AMENDMENT question in the case.
Clearly state the holding in the case. What did the court decide about the First Amendment legal principles at issue in the case?
- Briefly discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Court’s decision.
- Clearly state and support your opinion as to the merits of the decision. Did the Court strike the correct balance in its definition of First Amendment protections in this case?