Supreme Court Strikes Down Contraception Ban
June 7th, 1965
June 7th, 1965
How Long Ago?
59 years, 9 months, 8 days ago
Location
Washington, D.C., United States
Category
Crime & Law
People
- William O. Douglas
- Estelle Griswold
- C. Lee Buxton
Links & References
Tags
Supreme Court Strikes Down Contraception Ban
The Supreme Court ruled in Griswold v. Connecticut, declaring that married couples had a constitutional right to use contraception. The Court found that a Connecticut law prohibiting contraception violated the right to marital privacy, establishing a precedent for future privacy-related cases. This landmark decision emphasized the importance of personal rights in family planning and reproductive health.
Supreme Court ruling was 7-2 in favor
Protected marital privacy established
Challenged outdated Connecticut law
Influenced future reproductive rights cases
What Happened?
In Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court addressed the legality of a Connecticut law that prohibited the use of contraceptives. The case arose when Estelle Griswold, the executive director of the Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut, along with Dr. C. Lee Buxton, was arrested for providing information and advice about contraception to married couples. They challenged the Connecticut statute on the grounds that it violated the Constitution. The Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, ruled that the law infringed upon the right to marital privacy, which the Court found implicit in the Bill of Rights. Justice William O. Douglas wrote the majority opinion, asserting that the Constitution protected certain zones of privacy from governmental intrusion. This decision was groundbreaking, as it recognized the right of individuals to make personal decisions regarding family planning without government interference. It laid the groundwork for subsequent landmark cases concerning reproductive rights and privacy, such as Roe v. Wade.
Why Does it Matter?
Griswold v. Connecticut is significant as it marked a pivotal moment in the discussion of privacy rights in the United States. The ruling not only reaffirmed the importance of personal freedoms regarding family planning but also framed the legal arguments that would later support broader reproductive rights. This case influenced legal precedents regarding individual liberties and contributed to the emerging discussion on sexual privacy and women's rights.
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