Реферат на тему Texas V Johnson Essay Research Paper Justice
Работа добавлена на сайт bukvasha.net: 2015-06-01Поможем написать учебную работу
Если у вас возникли сложности с курсовой, контрольной, дипломной, рефератом, отчетом по практике, научно-исследовательской и любой другой работой - мы готовы помочь.
Texas V. Johnson Essay, Research Paper
Justice Brennan’s opinion in Texas v. Johnson
Justice Brennan cited several First Amendment cases to show that a precedent
was set to encompass protection for expression which is not spoken or written (i.e.,
protection for symbolic actions such as protesting conflict through arm-band wearing,
sit-ins, etc.). The cases cited, including the current one, were subject to the O’Brien test,
which is a measure to determine if the State’s statute can be considered valid, in that it
specifically forbids non-communicative expression for the benefit of direct substantial
government interest .
In defense, the State extended two interests to justify the limitations on
expression: preventing disturbance of the peace and protecting the flag as “a symbol of
nationhood and national unity.” The Court deemed that the first qualification was not
subject to the O’Brien test, and that the second was a direct maneuver to limit expression.
The Court first showed that Johnson’s action did not classify as either “breaching
the peace,” or as “fighting words.” Thus, the circumstances must be evaluated to
determine whether or not the motive for the action was to directly incite or produce
“imminent lawless action” (Brandenburg v. Ohio), and whether or not the breach of
peace actually occurs. Justice Brennan stated that the First Amendment’s purpose was to
defend such controversial and “disagreeable” speech and actions, rather than to censor it
based upon the “potential” for a breach of the peace.
Justice Brennan showed that the second motive behind the Texas statute might
show direct governmental interest in limiting expression, but that the law did not qualify
protection under the O’Brien test because the action was a “suppression of free
expression.”
The Court continued by showing that the flag cannot be protected simply because
the majority of people in the State hold it in high regard. Rather, the State cannot
Constitutionally form an opinion of the flag, because it then assumes that only one view
of the flag exists. Since more than one view exists, and by protecting only one opinion
when many are present, the State is showing unjust and biased preference for that belief.
The Court also affirmed that the action of burning the flag does not lessen the symbolism
of the flag, so no specific governmental interest can exist.