SCALES v. UNITED STATES
Supreme Court Cases
367 U.S. 203 (1961)
Case Overview
Legal Principle at Issue
Whether the membership clause of the Smith Act, as applied to an "active member" of the Communist party, infringes on freedoms of expression and association in violation of the First Amendment.
Action
Affirmed (includes modified). Petitioning party did not receive a favorable disposition.
Advocated for Respondent
- John F. Davis View all cases
Advocated for Petitioner
- Telford Taylor View all cases
Cite this page
- SCALES v. UNITED STATES. (n.d.). First Amendment Library. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/scales-v-united-states
- SCALES v. UNITED STATES, First Amendment Library, https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/scales-v-united-states (last visited 14 Apr. 2025).
- Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). "SCALES v. UNITED STATES." Oyez. https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/scales-v-united-states (accessed April 14, 2025).
- "SCALES v. UNITED STATES." First Amendment Library. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), n.d. 14 Apr. 2025, www.thefire.org/supreme-court/scales-v-united-states.