Cohen v. California

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Cohen v. California
Court Supreme Court of the United States
Citation
Date decided June 7, 1971
Appealed from California Court of Appeals

Facts

In 1968, Cohen was seen in a Los Angeles courthouse wearing a jacket with the words "Fuck the draft."

Procedural History

Cohen was arrested for disturbing the peace. Cohen was sentence to 30 days in prison.

The California Supreme Court declined to hear Cohen's case.

Holding

Cohen's conviction was unconstitutional.

Reasons

In the opinion of John Harlan II, the words of Cohen didn't constitute (1) obscenity or (2) fighting words.

Comments

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