- What We Do
- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
  If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
  Submit a Case
- Make a difference
- Take Action
  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
  Protect Free Speech
- FIRE Student Network
  FIRE’s 2022 College Free Speech Rankings are based on the voices of more than 44,000 currently enrolled students at 208 colleges and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
  Build Your Network
- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
  Explore Rankings
- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index is a new quarterly component of America’s Political Pulse, an ongoing weekly survey that will allow researchers to track shifting free speech sentiment in America over time.
  Learn More
Colleges
News
Cases
About Us
Submit a Case

In re PRIMUS

Supreme Court Cases

436 U.S. 412 (1978)

Case Overview

Legal Principle at Issue

Whether the sanctioning of an ACLU lawyer for informng a woman through direct mail about legal assistance available from the ACLU violated speech and associational freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Action

Reversed. Petitioning party received a favorable disposition.

Advocated for Respondent

Richard B. Kale Jr. View all cases

Advocated for Petitioner

Ray P. McClain View all cases

Cite this page

In re PRIMUS. (n.d.). First Amendment Library. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/re-primus
In re PRIMUS, First Amendment Library, https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/re-primus (last visited 22 Apr. 2025).
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). "In re PRIMUS." Oyez. https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/re-primus (accessed April 22, 2025).
"In re PRIMUS." First Amendment Library. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), n.d. 22 Apr. 2025, www.thefire.org/supreme-court/re-primus.

Share this selection via email