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MASSACHUSETTS v. OAKES

Supreme Court Cases

491 U.S. 576 (1989)

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Case Overview

Legal Principle at Issue

Whether a Massachusetts child pornography statute prohibiting adults from posing or exhibiting minors "in a state of nudity" was overbroad and violated the First Amendment.

Action

Vacated and remanded. Petitioning party received a favorable disposition.

Advocated for Respondent

Richard J. Vita View all cases

Advocated for Petitioner

James M. Shannon View all cases

Cite this page

MASSACHUSETTS v. OAKES. (n.d.). First Amendment Library. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/massachusetts-v-oakes
MASSACHUSETTS v. OAKES, First Amendment Library, https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/massachusetts-v-oakes (last visited 6 Mar. 2025).
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). "MASSACHUSETTS v. OAKES." Oyez. https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/massachusetts-v-oakes (accessed March 6, 2025).
"MASSACHUSETTS v. OAKES." First Amendment Library. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), n.d. 6 Mar. 2025, www.thefire.org/supreme-court/massachusetts-v-oakes.

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