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Speiser v. Randall

Significance, Punishing Subversive Ideas, The Burden Of Proof, Justice Clark's Dissent, Impact



Appellant

Lawrence Speiser

Appellee

Justin A. Randall, as Assessor of Contra Costa County, California

Appellant's Claim

That the California law denying property-tax exemption to veterans who refuse to sign a loyalty oath violates the Constitution.

Chief Lawyer for Appellant

Lawrence Speiser

Chief Lawyer for Appellee

George W. McClure

Justices for the Court

Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr. (writing for the Court), Harold Burton, William O. Douglas

Justices Dissenting

Tom C. Clark (Earl Warren did not participate)

Place

Washington, D.C.

Date of Decision

30 June 1958

Decision

Reversed the lower court's decision and upheld appellant's claim that the California law denying property-tax exemption to veterans who refuse to sign a loyalty oath violates the Constitution.

Related Cases

  • Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919).
  • Dennis v. United States, 341 U.S. 494 (1951).
  • Wieman v. Updegraff, 344 U.S. 183 (1952).
  • Elfbrandt v. Russell, 384 U.S. 11 (1966).
  • Baird v. State Bar of Arizona, 401 U.S. 1 (1971).
  • Connell v. Higgenbotham, 403 U.S. 207 (1971).
  • Cole v. Richardson, 405 U.S. 676 (1972).

Additional topics

Law Library - American Law and Legal InformationNotable Trials and Court Cases - 1954 to 1962