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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Court Upholds Child Porn Law

Justices overturn ruling that measure was too broad

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(Newser) – The Supreme Court today upheld a tough federal child pornography law in a 7-2 decision, the Los Angeles Times reports. The law makes it illegal to offer or seek child porn online, even if there is no actual pornography, or if the images are computer-generated rather than of actual children. The decision overturns an appeals-court ruling that the law infringed on free speech.

“We hold that offers to provide or requests to obtain child pornography are categorically excluded from the 1st Amendment,” said Justice Antonin Scalia, dismissing “fancy hypotheticals” about the law being used to go after Hollywood movies.

The steps of the U.S. Supreme Court building are shown in this 2000 file photo in Washington.
The steps of the U.S. Supreme Court building are shown in this 2000 file photo in Washington.   (AP Photo/Pat Benic, FILE)
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., reacts as he listens to a speaker at the opening celebration of the Centennial of the U.S. Courthouse in Providence, RI. in this file photo.
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., reacts as he listens to a speaker at the opening celebration of the Centennial of the U.S. Courthouse in Providence, RI. in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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High court upholds child porn law
Bloomberg

Scalia dismisses difficulties in interpretation
United Press International

Muni bond tax exemption constitutional, court rules 7-2
Bloomberg

Links to text of today's opinions and dissents
SCOTUSblog


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