{"id":30894,"date":"2024-07-25T14:28:16","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T19:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-legal\/constitution\/amendment1\/prior-restraint-and-the-first-amendment.html"},"modified":"2024-07-25T15:22:00","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T20:22:00","slug":"prior-restraint-and-the-first-amendment","status":"publish","type":"constitution","link":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment1\/prior-restraint-and-the-first-amendment.html","title":{"rendered":"Prior Restraint and the First Amendment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7  fl-block-columns fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles   fl-block-column fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Prior Restraint and the First Amendment<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/balrina-ahluwalia-esq\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/edward-maggio-esq\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Edward Maggio, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            July 25, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <h2>\n            <button tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\"><\/i>\n                Legally Reviewed\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h2>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\" rel=\"noopener\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\" rel=\"noopener\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <h2>\n            <button tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\"><\/i>\n                Fact-Checked\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h2>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\" rel=\"noopener\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>&quot;Prior restraint&quot; refers to government restriction on speech or expression before it occurs. In this article, we explore the doctrine of prior restraint in the context of our First Amendment rights to free speech and a free press.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>In 1791, America formally adopted the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, marking a significant moment in its history. The <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/bill-of-rights.html\">Bill of Rights<\/a>, drafted by <a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.findlaw.com\/legal-commentary\/a-review-of-garry-willss-james-madison.html\" rel=\"noopener\">James Madison<\/a>, was designed to restrict government power and protect individual freedoms through the precise language of the amendments.<\/p>\r\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment1.html\">First Amendment<\/a> reflects these democratic ideals and reads, in relevant part, \u201cCongress shall make no law\u2026abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press\u2026&quot;<\/p>\r\n<p>This means <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/congress.html\" rel=\"noopener\">Congress<\/a> may not infringe upon these rights to free speech and a free press. The First Amendment protects them.<\/p>\r\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.findlaw.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Supreme Court<\/a> has interpreted the First Amendment to mean this limitation on federal lawmaking extends to the states and government action of any kind (at any level) restricting these freedoms. In other words, government infringement upon our rights to free speech and a free press may take many forms, including:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>State laws<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>District court <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/injunction.html\" rel=\"noopener\">injunctions<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Local ordinances<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Federal regulatory schemes<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>State agency action<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>When analyzing these restrictions, we often refer to them broadly as <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/state-action.html\" rel=\"noopener\">state action<\/a> or government action.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Court has also clarified that speech protected by the First Amendment includes conduct and expression. For example, parades, messaging on a t-shirt, and refusal to salute the American flag are all forms of speech protected by the First Amendment.<\/p>\r\n<p>Not all restrictions on speech and the press violate the First Amendment. If a law regulating speech, for example, is consistent with the First Amendment, then it doesn\u2019t infringe upon it. In other words, it may be a permissible restriction on speech. To make these determinations, the Supreme Court has established <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/legal\/law-students\/surviving-law-school\/learning-judicial-precedent-a-q-a-with-bryan-garner.html\" rel=\"noopener\">judicial precedent<\/a> that provides some guidance.<\/p>\r\n<h2>What Is Prior Restraint?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Claims that a restriction violates our First Amendment rights can be based on several legal theories. One such theory is the doctrine of <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/prior-restraint.html\" rel=\"noopener\">prior restraint<\/a>. Generally speaking, prior restraint refers to government restrictions on speech or expressions before they\u2019re expressed or published.<\/p>\r\n<p>Therefore, a prior restraint can be present if the state prohibits certain communications before they\u2019re expressed or requires government approval before speaking or publication.<\/p>\r\n<p>Prior restraint most commonly pertains to published materials, but it can apply to any expression.<\/p>\r\n<p>Some examples of prior restraint include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>A law prohibiting the publication of certain information<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>An injunction restricting someone from speaking about a particular topic<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>A regulatory scheme that mandates pre-publication government approval of communications &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Although not all prior restraints violate the First Amendment, they are considered particularly dangerous because they mirror the type of government <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/censorship.html\" rel=\"noopener\">censorship<\/a> the Bill of Rights sought to avoid.<\/p>\r\n<h2>How Has the Supreme Court Dealt with Prior Restraint Cases?<\/h2>\r\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\/427\/539.html\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart<\/i><\/a>, the Supreme Court deemed prior restraint on speech to be \u201cthe most serious and the least tolerable infringement on First Amendment rights.\u201d As a result, they are generally prohibited.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Supreme Court has acknowledged that there are certain industries and businesses the state has an interest in <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/license.html\" rel=\"noopener\">licensing<\/a> for regulatory purposes that have nothing to do with the suppression of free speech, like safety and health. Therefore, prior restraints aren\u2019t considered automatically unconstitutional.<\/p>\r\n<p>However, as the Court established in <a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\/372\/58.html\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Bantam Books, Inc. v. Sullivan<\/i><\/a>, any system of prior restraints is subject to a \u201cheavy presumption\u201d of invalidity. Consequently, the government bears a considerable burden of demonstrating that imposing a prior restraint is justifiable.<\/p>\r\n<p>We discuss more Supreme Court decisions related to prior restraint below.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Near v. Minnesota<\/h3>\r\n<p>In 1931, the Court established the doctrine of prior restraint in the landmark case <a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\/283\/697.html\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Near v. Minnesota<\/i><\/a>. The <i>Near<\/i> Court dealt with a state <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/nuisance.html\" rel=\"noopener\">nuisance law<\/a> that prohibited \u201cmalicious, scandalous and defamatory\u201d content in publications. The law allowed the state to issue injunctions for violations to prevent the future publication of such content.<\/p>\r\n<p>A local newspaper published articles attacking the integrity of several city officials and accusing them of ties with local gangsters. The state court then issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/permanent-injunction.html\" rel=\"noopener\">permanent injunction<\/a> preventing the future publication of that paper.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/legalblogs\/supreme-court\/whos-hughes-roberts-discusses-former-chief-justice-fdr-foil\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Chief Justice Hughes<\/a> explained that the very meaning of a free press is the absence of prior restraints on publications. Minnesota\u2019s statutory scheme, therefore, was \u201cthe essence of censorship.\u201d Because the law constituted a prior restraint, Hughes continued, it infringed upon the First Amendment\u2019s freedom of the press.<\/p>\r\n<p>In setting forth this new doctrine of prior restraint, the Court also recognized \u201cexceptional cases\u201d in which prior restraint was permissible<a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.findlaw.com\/legal-commentary\/what-is-the-constitutions-role-in-wartime.html\" rel=\"noopener\">,<\/a> including:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment1\/first-amendment-limits--obscenity.html\">Obscenity<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Incitements to violence<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.findlaw.com\/legal-commentary\/what-is-the-constitutions-role-in-wartime.html\" rel=\"noopener\">Wartime<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Lovell v. City of Griffin<\/h3>\r\n<p>Seven years later, the Court addressed the constitutionality of a Georgia city ordinance in <a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\/303\/444.html\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Lovell v. City of Griffin<\/i><\/a>. The local law required the city manager\u2019s prior approval for the distribution of literature.<\/p>\r\n<p>This type of license law, where permission must be obtained from a local authority to do something, stems from the old British licensing system. Until 1695, publishers needed a license to publish anything, and nothing could be published without state or church approval.<\/p>\r\n<p>In <i>Lovell<\/i>, the Court unanimously determined that the license requirement was an unconstitutional prior restraint. The Court explained the ordinance was invalid because \u201cit strikes at the very foundation of the freedom of the press by subjecting it to license and censorship.\u201d After all, the fight for a free press was historically rooted in a fight for the right to publish without a license.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Freedman v. Maryland<\/h3>\r\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\/380\/51.html\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Freedman v. Maryland<\/i><\/a>, the Court tackled movie censorship in the form of a licensing scheme. Specifically, Maryland law required prior approval of films by a censorship board before they could be shown in the state.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Court determined the licensing scheme was an unconstitutional prior restraint because there was no <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/recourse.html\" rel=\"noopener\">recourse<\/a> available to film exhibitors and distributors other than litigation. The law lacked an opportunity for timely and <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/impartial.html\" rel=\"noopener\">impartial<\/a> review of censorship determinations. As a result, it didn\u2019t adequately protect against improper restrictions on protected expression.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Court held the licensing scheme impermissibly infringed upon the First Amendment rights of the film professionals. It further established a three-pronged procedural standard for prior restraints to ensure adequate safeguards:<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li><p>The government entity seeking to impose the prior restraint on speech must bear the <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/burden-of-proof.html\" rel=\"noopener\">burden of proof<\/a> in court.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The prior restraint may only be imposed for a \u201cspecified brief period.\u201d The <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/status-quo.html\" rel=\"noopener\">status quo<\/a> must be maintained for this period.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Prompt <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/judicial-review.html\" rel=\"noopener\">judicial review<\/a> of restraint decisions must be available.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p>Licensing schemes must satisfy this standard to avoid being considered invalid prior restraints. This constitutional standard has been utilized in several subsequent cases to evaluate the validity of prior restraint licensing schemes.<\/p>\r\n<h3>New York Times Co. v. United States<\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.findlaw.com\/supreme_court\/landmark\/landmark403-713.html\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>New York Times Co. v. United States<\/i><\/a> marked another landmark prior restraint decision by the Supreme Court. In this case, commonly referred to as the Pentagon Papers case, the <i>New York Times<\/i> and the <i>Washington Post<\/i> obtained leaked copies of classified government study papers. These \u201cPentagon Papers\u201d contained sensitive information and secrets about America\u2019s involvement with Vietnam and the <a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.findlaw.com\/legal-commentary\/the-vietnam-war-through-a-glass-clearly.html\" rel=\"noopener\">Vietnam War<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Nixon administration sought an injunction to block the publication of the leaked papers. It cited national security concerns as the reason for the prior restraint. The Court determined the administration fell short of establishing that the national security concerns associated with publishing the leaked material outweighed the papers\u2019 First Amendment rights.<\/p>\r\n<p>In a 6-3 decision, the Court held that the Nixon administration didn\u2019t meet its burden of overcoming the heavy presumption of constitutional invalidity. The <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/per-curiam-opinion.html\" rel=\"noopener\">per curiam<\/a> opinion, however, didn\u2019t define this burden, and each Justice wrote their own opinion. Justice Brennan referred to the now-discredited <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/clear-and-present-danger.html\" rel=\"noopener\">clear-and-present-danger<\/a> test in his concurring opinion.<\/p>\r\n<p>Justice White\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/concurring-opinion.html\" rel=\"noopener\">concurring opinion<\/a> cautioned against assigning the <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/article2.html\">executive branch<\/a> power to censor without legislative authorization. Justices Black and Douglas also wrote concurring opinions rejecting all prior restraints on the press. They emphasized the importance of an unrestrained press in exposing government deception.<\/p>\r\n<p>Chief Justice Burger and Justices Blackmun and Harlan wrote separate <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/dissenting-opinion.html\" rel=\"noopener\">dissenting opinions<\/a>. Notwithstanding, this case is widely regarded as a free-press win against government censorship.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart<\/h3>\r\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\/427\/539.html\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart<\/i><\/a>, the Court addressed the constitutionality of a prior restraint in the form of a <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/gag-order.html\" rel=\"noopener\">gag order<\/a>. Specifically, a trial judge ordered an injunction prohibiting the publication of information that could potentially prejudice an upcoming trial. He issued the gag order to protect the criminal defendant\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment6\/annotation02.html\">Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial<\/a> in a highly sensationalized murder case.<\/p>\r\n<p>However, the Court determined that this prior restraint violated the First Amendment because less restrictive means to ensure the defendant\u2019s right to a fair trial were available. These alternatives included a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/legalblogs\/strategist\/change-of-venue-due-to-publicity\/\" rel=\"noopener\">venue change<\/a> and a trial delay, amongst other options that didn\u2019t restrict a free press. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h3>Smith v. Daily Mail Publishing Co.<\/h3>\r\n<p>In 1979, the Court decided <a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\/443\/97.html\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Smith v. Daily Mail Publishing Co<\/i>.<\/a> In this case, the Court addressed the constitutionality of a West Virginia law. The state law criminalized press publication of a juvenile offender\u2019s name without a <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/juvenile-court.html\" rel=\"noopener\">juvenile court<\/a> order. The Court unanimously held the law to be an unconstitutional prior restraint. It explained that the press can\u2019t be penalized for publishing truthful information that it lawfully obtained.<\/p>\r\n<p>The First Amendment\u2019s free speech and free press protections continue to play an important role in sustaining our democracy. The marketplace of ideas demands public discourse and an unrestrained media to address topics of public concern. As a result, the courts seldom uphold prior restraints on speech. However, the digital age presents us with some challenges surrounding online publications and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/enforcing-your-civil-rights\/social-media-censorship-and-the-law.html\" rel=\"noopener\">social media<\/a> that may redefine or reinforce the contours of this body of law.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-block-column fl-section-sidebar\">\n        \n                        \n\n<div class=\"generalCardContainer\">\n            \n<div\n    class=\"fl-image-card fl-image-card--no-max-width fl-image-card--no-min-height fl-card-with-children fl-latl-card fl-image-card-title-on-image fl-flex fl-flex-column\"\n>\n                    <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\">\n\n            <div class=\"fl-image-card-image-wrapper fl-image-card-image-wrapper-default\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n                     src=\"https://constitution.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1750679574\/ability-legal\/wp-prod\/general-components-hero-lp-constitution-hero-banner\/general-components-hero-lp-constitution-hero-banner.jpg?_i=AA\"\n                     alt=\"\"\n                ><\/img>\n                                    <span class=\"fl-eyebrow fl-image-card-eyebrow\">U.S. Constitution<\/span>\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/a>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-image-card-content fl-flex-basis-100\">\n                    <h2>More On the Constitution<\/h2>\n<p>Learn about the most important legal document in the United States.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/\">Read more &gt;<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://constitution.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1737476907\/Image-subscribeModule_zjhmpv\/Image-subscribeModule_zjhmpv.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe:<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"lp\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment1\/first-amendment-freedom-of-the-press.html\">\n                        Freedom of the Press\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment1\/content-and-viewpoint-based-regulation-of-speech.html\">\n                        Content-Based and Viewpoint-Based Regulation of Speech\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment1\/regulation-of-the-media-under-the-first-amendment.html\">\n                        Regulation of the Media Under the First Amendment\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Popular Directory Searches<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/constitutional-law\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitutional Law<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/civil-rights\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Civil Rights<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/state-local-municipal-law\/\" rel=\"noopener\">State, Local and Municipal Law<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"parent":30862,"menu_order":0,"template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticlePageController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false},"class_list":["post-30894","constitution","type-constitution","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/constitution\/30894","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/constitution"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/constitution"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/constitution\/30862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}