Snyder v Phelps (2011); Facts: Include what happened that brought the case to court. Be sure to include a description of both sides
Snyder v Phelps (2011)
- Facts: Include what happened that brought the case to court. Be sure
to include a description of both sides–Snyder and Phelps.
Procedural History
Snyder filed a civil suit for damages in a U.S. District Court, not a state court. A jury in
the United States District Court for the District of Maryland agreed with Snyder and
awarded him a total of $10.9 million (which the judge lowered to $5 million). The Fourth
Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the judgment, holding that Phelps’ speech was
protected by the First Amendment.
Constitutional Question: Does the First Amendment protect protesters at a funeral from
liability for intentionally inflicting emotional distress on the family of the deceased?
- Oral Argument–what happened in Court. Include research and explain
concepts: public or private person ; matters of public concern; private
targeted speech
Finding: The protesters actions are protected speech under the First Amendment.
- Majority Opinion: Summary of the Majority Opinion. (This is the legal
reasoning for the ruling of the Court.) - Concepts of Free Speech: Include: Obama’s reasoning in defense of
free speech. Free Speech Overview”. protection of speech, instinct to
censor, impact on society, etc.
Answer preview for Snyder v Phelps (2011); Facts: Include what happened that brought the case to court. Be sure to include a description of both sides
MLA
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