Supreme Court of the United States

Valentine, Police Commissioner of the City of New York v. Chrestensen

April 13, 1942316 U.S. 52

Summary

The Supreme Court held that a New York City ordinance prohibiting the distribution of commercial advertising handbills on public streets is a permissible regulation and does not violate the First Amendment. The Court reversed the lower courts' injunction, finding the respondent’s attempt to evade the ban by attaching a protest to the advertisement insufficient to obtain protection.

Holding

  • Whether the application of New York City's ordinance prohibiting the distribution of commercial advertising handbills on public streets violates the First Amendment freedom of speech and press.. The ordinance is a valid regulation of commercial advertising in a public forum and does not infringe the First Amendment; the Court reverses the injunction.

Docket 707

Cited by