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 v Phelps (2011)

  1. 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?

  1. 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.

  1. Majority Opinion: Summary of the Majority Opinion.  (This is the legal
    reasoning for the ruling of the Court.)
  2. 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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