Miller v. California

Definition

Miller v. California is a landmark Supreme Court case from 1973 that established the contemporary standard for determining what constitutes obscene material unprotected by the First Amendment. The ruling clarified the criteria for obscenity, which involves community standards, whether the work depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and whether it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. This case has had a significant impact on freedom of speech and expression in relation to obscenity laws.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Miller test established three criteria to evaluate whether material is obscene: it must appeal to prurient interest, be patently offensive, and lack serious value.
2. The case arose when Marvin Miller mailed unsolicited adult materials, which led to his conviction under California's obscenity laws.
3. The Supreme Court's decision in Miller v. California overturned previous rulings regarding obscenity by emphasizing local community standards over national standards.
4. Miller v. California has been cited in numerous cases regarding free speech and obscenity laws, shaping how courts approach similar issues.
5. This ruling represents a significant moment in balancing First Amendment rights with societal interests in regulating obscene materials.

Review Questions

• How did Miller v. California change the legal landscape for determining what constitutes obscene material?
  • Miller v. California changed the legal landscape by introducing a new test for obscenity known as the Miller test. This test requires that three criteria be met: the material must appeal to prurient interests, depict sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. This case shifted the focus from national standards to local community standards, allowing different regions to have varied interpretations of obscenity based on their values.
• Discuss the implications of the Miller test on free speech rights and how it has been applied in subsequent cases.
  • The implications of the Miller test on free speech rights have been significant as it allowed states to regulate obscene materials while still protecting a broad range of expressive content under the First Amendment. Courts have applied the Miller test in various cases, resulting in different outcomes based on community standards. This has led to ongoing debates about the balance between protecting free speech and addressing community concerns about obscenity, influencing many aspects of media and content regulation.
• Evaluate how Miller v. California reflects broader societal tensions regarding freedom of expression and regulation of harmful content.
  • Miller v. California reflects broader societal tensions by illustrating the ongoing struggle between protecting freedom of expression and regulating harmful content that some argue can have negative effects on society. The decision emphasizes local values over universal standards, showcasing how communities may differ in their perceptions of what constitutes harmful or offensive material. As technology evolves and new forms of expression emerge, this case continues to be relevant as courts navigate these complex issues while considering both individual rights and community well-being.

Related terms

Obscenity: Material that violates community standards and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value, making it unprotected by the First Amendment.

First Amendment: The amendment to the United States Constitution that protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

Community Standards: The prevailing norms of a particular community regarding what is considered acceptable or unacceptable content, which can vary significantly across different locales.