SMITH v. CALIFORNIA
Supreme Court Cases
361 U.S. 147 (1959)
Case Overview
Legal Principle at Issue
Whether a Los Angeles city ordinance punishing the sales of books later determined to be obscene even if the bookseller did not know the contents of the book violated due process and free speech guarantees.
Action
Reversed. Petitioning party received a favorable disposition.
Advocated for Respondent
- Roger Arnebergh View all cases
Advocated for Petitioner
- Stanley Fleishman View all cases
- Sam Rosenwein View all cases
Cite this page
- SMITH v. CALIFORNIA. (n.d.). First Amendment Library. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/smith-v-california
- SMITH v. CALIFORNIA, First Amendment Library, https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/smith-v-california (last visited 14 Apr. 2025).
- Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). "SMITH v. CALIFORNIA." Oyez. https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/smith-v-california (accessed April 14, 2025).
- "SMITH v. CALIFORNIA." First Amendment Library. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), n.d. 14 Apr. 2025, www.thefire.org/supreme-court/smith-v-california.