CANTWELL et al. v. CONNECTICUT
Supreme Court Cases
310 U.S. 296 (1940)
Case Overview
Legal Principle at Issue
Did the solicitation statute or the "breach of the peace" ordinance violate the Cantwells' First & Fourteenth Amendment free speech and/or free exercise rights?
Action
Reversed and remanded. Petitioning party received a favorable disposition.
Facts/Syllabus
Newton Cantwell and his two sons, Jesse and Russell — who identified as Jehovah's Witnesses and claimed to be ordained ministers — were arrested in New Haven, Connecticut after distributing religious literature for inciting a breach of the peace and violating a local ordinance requiring solicitors to obtain a permit.
Advocated for Respondent
- Edwin S. Pickett View all cases
- Francis A. Pallotti View all cases
Advocated for Petitioner
- Hayden C. Covington View all cases
Cite this page
- CANTWELL et al. v. CONNECTICUT. (n.d.). First Amendment Library. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/cantwell-et-al-v-connecticut
- CANTWELL et al. v. CONNECTICUT, First Amendment Library, https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/cantwell-et-al-v-connecticut (last visited 19 Feb. 2025).
- Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). "CANTWELL et al. v. CONNECTICUT." Oyez. https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/cantwell-et-al-v-connecticut (accessed February 19, 2025).
- "CANTWELL et al. v. CONNECTICUT." First Amendment Library. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), n.d. 19 Feb. 2025, www.thefire.org/supreme-court/cantwell-et-al-v-connecticut.