Abrams V. U.S.
Date: 1919
Case Background:
The United States enacted the Espionage Act in 1917, which prohibited there to be any interference with the military or recruitment. An amendment was then made, the Sedition Act of 1918, which made it illegal for any type of print or other media to act as propaganda against the military or government. Jacob Abrams was convicted of throwing two printed leaflets from windows in New York City. These leaflets contained print that denounced the U.S. and its war efforts. Issue: The case was taken to the Supreme Court because Abrams was charged and convicted of "inciting resistance to the war effort and urging curtailment of production of essential war material". He was sentenced to 10 & 20 years in prison. Decision: The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the Abrams' freedom of speech, which is protected by the First Amendment, was not violated. Impact: The decision was derived from common law. It is a companion case with the earlier Schenck v. U.S. |
Justice: Edward D. White
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