Who wrote the Reno v. Aclu for the Court?
Asked by: Neoma Schuster Sr. | Last update: March 5, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (45 votes)
Justice John Paul Stevens wrote the majority opinion for the Supreme Court in Reno v. ACLU, delivering the 7-2 ruling that struck down parts of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) as unconstitutional censorship, emphasizing the Internet's unique nature and its extensive protection under the First Amendment.
What was the Supreme Court decision in Reno v ACLU?
In Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union, 521 U.S.844 (1997), the Supreme Court held in a unanimous decision that provisions of the 1996 Communications Decency Act (CDA) were an unconstitutional, content-based restriction of First Amendment free speech rights.
Who writes for the ACLU?
Rocío Ortega is a communications strategist/writer at the ACLU of Southern California. Rocío joined the SoCal affiliate in 2021. Her work consists of writing media content including blogs and articles, and works to amplify and publicize the work of ACLU SoCal.
Who wrote the opinion in Shaw v. Reno?
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's majority opinion in Shaw v. Reno has been widely seen as a radical departure from precedent-an indication that strengthening minority voting rights is no longer the only achievement of the Second Reconstruction safe from congressional or judicial attack.
How many of the 9 justices agreed with the majority's decision in Reno v. ACLU?
Reno v. ACLU was the Supreme Court's first attempt to define the First Amendment boundaries of the Internet. Speaking for a majority of seven justices (two justices dissented in part), Justice Stevens affirmed the district court's decision, declaring that the CDA was unduly vague.
Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union (1997) Overview | LSData Case Brief Video Summary
Can you write to Supreme Court Justices?
Write an actual letter and not an email. Send the letter to each individual justice. They are: John G. Roberts, Jr., Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, Samuel A.
Who was the petitioner in Reno v. Aclu?
After being enjoined by a District Court from enforcing the above provisions, except for the one concerning obscenity and its inherent protection against child pornography, Attorney General Janet Reno appealed directly to the Supreme Court as provided for by the Act's special review provisions.
Who writes the dissenting opinion?
A dissenting opinion refers to an opinion written by an appellate judge or Supreme Court Justice who disagrees with the majority opinion in a given case. A party who writes a dissenting opinion is said to dissent.
Who sued in Shaw v. Reno?
The new district was described in the Supreme Court's opinion as "snake-like." After the General Assembly passed legislation creating the second district, a group of White voters in North Carolina, led by Ruth O. Shaw, sued on the grounds that the district was an unconstitutional gerrymander.
Who writes a majority opinion?
Opinion Writing
The Justice assigned the majority opinion works with his or her law clerks to produce a draft. Some Justices have their law clerks do most of the writing, which they edit. Some Justices have their law clerks write first drafts that the Justices then substantially revise.
Who opposes the ACLU?
Support and opposition
The ACLU has been criticized by liberals, such as when it excluded communists from its leadership ranks, when it defended Neo-Nazis, when it declined to defend Paul Robeson, or when it opposed the passage of the National Labor Relations Act.
Can I be a lawyer and a writer?
Yes, I am a lawyer. There are so many lawyer-writers, it's cliche at this point. Off the top of my head, there's John Grisham, Scott Turow, Stephen Carter, Brad Meltzer, Amy Chua, Elizabeth Wurtzel, Min Jin Lee…and the list goes on and on.
Who is the top civil rights attorney in the United States?
There's no single "best" civil rights attorney, as it depends on your specific case, but prominent figures and firms known for impact include Ben Crump, famous for police brutality cases like those of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and firms like Brown, Goldstein & Levy (BGL) and DiCello Levitt, recognized by Best Lawyers and ALM for large verdicts and national leadership. Look for lawyers with proven track records in your specific area (e.g., employment, police misconduct, disability rights) and strong recognition from legal directories like Best Lawyers or Justia.
What is the famous case of the ACLU?
The ACLU has been involved in numerous famous cases, including Tinker v. Des Moines (student speech), Brown v. Board of Education (school segregation), Reno v. ACLU (internet censorship), Obergefell v. Hodges (marriage equality), and early cases like Gitlow v. New York (incorporating free speech to states), defending rights for students, minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and against government overreach, though they also opposed Japanese American internment during WWII.
Why did the Court rule against Reno?
The Court declared that voting districts based on race should be held to the legal standard of “strict scrutiny.” This case dealt with a black majority North Carolina congressional district. The district stretched over a 150-mile-long area, and the design's only purpose seemed to be to connect heavily black areas.
Which two statements describe the Supreme Court's ruling in Reno v. American civil?
Which two statements describe the Supreme Court's ruling in Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union? -Online content-based restrictions violate the guarantee of freedom of speech. -Provisions of the 1996 Communications Decency Act (CDA) were unconstitutional.
Who wrote the dissenting opinion in Shaw v. Reno?
Reno: Dissenting Opinion. Four Supreme Court Justices disagreed with this outcome. The dissenting opinion included Justices John Paul Stevens, Harry Blackmun, Byron White, and David Souter. Justice White wrote the dissenting opinion, which focused on the consequences of the district.
Can the president change the number of Supreme Court justices?
No, the President cannot directly change the number of Supreme Court Justices; only Congress has that power by passing a law, but the President must sign that law for it to take effect, meaning both branches must agree, as seen with the Judiciary Act of 1869 fixing the number at nine. While presidents appoint justices, they can only fill existing vacancies or new ones Congress creates, as the Constitution doesn't set the court's size, allowing Congress to adjust it as a legislative check.
Was the 14th amendment for black slaves?
Passed by the Senate on June 8, 1866, and ratified two years later, on July 9, 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship to all persons "born or naturalized in the United States," including formerly enslaved people, and provided all citizens with “equal protection under the laws,” extending the provisions of ...
Can the president overturn a Supreme Court decision?
No, the President cannot directly overturn a Supreme Court decision; only the Court itself (through a new ruling), the Constitution (via amendment), or new legislation by Congress can overturn a major ruling, though Presidents can try to influence future decisions by appointing new justices or challenge rulings through appeals, and historically, some have selectively enforced or ignored certain rulings, as seen with Lincoln and the Dred Scott case.
Can multiple judges write a dissent?
A dissenting opinion (or dissent) is an opinion in a legal case in certain legal systems written by one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court which gives rise to its judgment.
How much do Supreme Court justices make?
As of early 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice earns around $317,500, while Associate Justices earn about $303,600, with slight variations depending on the source and specific effective date, reflecting annual adjustments set by Congress. These figures represent significant increases over recent years, with salaries rising from the $274,200 (Associate) and $286,700 (Chief) in 2022.
Who won Reno v. ACLU?
In 1997, the Supreme Court ruled in Reno v. ACLU that the federal Communications Decency Act (CDA) is an unconstitutional restriction on free speech. The landmark ruling affirmed the dangers of censoring what one judge called "the most participatory form of mass speech yet developed."
Who is more powerful, U.S. Attorney or Attorney General?
Yes, the U.S. Attorney General is significantly higher than a U.S. Attorney; the Attorney General heads the entire Department of Justice (DOJ) and oversees all U.S. Attorneys, who serve as the chief federal prosecutors in specific geographic districts. The Attorney General is the nation's top legal officer, advising the President and supervising agencies like the FBI and DEA, while a U.S. Attorney focuses on prosecuting federal crimes within their district, all under the Attorney General's direction.
Who controls the ACLU?
News & Commentary written by Deborah Archer
Archer is President of the ACLU, where she serves as Chair of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, the two governing bodies responsible for policy development, financial oversight, and mission-alignment functions for the national organization.