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.

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.
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