Fixed Stars: Famous First Amendment Phrases and Their Indelible Impact
15 Charleston L. Rev. 189
Posted: 20 Jan 2021
Date Written: 2020
Abstract
Some passages in First Amendment law have taken on a life and legend of their own, entering our cultural lexicon for their particular power, precision or passion. Some phrases are just so beautifully written that they cannot escape notice. Others aptly capture the essence of a key concept in a memorable way. Still others seemingly have grown in importance simply by the frequency with which they are cited in later court decisions. This article analyzes ten phrases from U.S. Supreme Court First Amendment decisions that qualify as some of the most enduring passages in First Amendment jurisprudence.
Keywords: First Amendment, United States Supreme Court, judicial opinions, legal writing
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