Cohen v. California and Freedom of Speech

Medium Unit 3: Civil Liberties & Rights Freedom Of Speech

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution provides robust protections for freedom of speech; however, certain restrictions apply in specific contexts. One such case is the 1971 Supreme Court decision in Cohen v. California, where a young man was convicted for wearing a jacket that read "F*** the Draft" in a courthouse. The Court’s ruling had significant implications for the interpretation of protected speech.

Considering this decision, which of the following statements best describes the essential holding of the Supreme Court in Cohen v. California regarding expressive conduct?

The government can ban speech if it is offensive or disruptive.

Speech that conveys a particular message through expressive conduct is protected under the First Amendment.

All forms of speech are equally protected regardless of content.

Obscenity is always protected under the First Amendment unless it incites violence.

Hint

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