The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. Carmen Barber, Appellant

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals reversed the conviction of a Jehovah’s Witness who was arrested for offering a Bible for a price under a town licensing ordinance. The Court held that the ordinance, which regulates "trades or occupations" such as soliciting, hawking, and peddling, is limited to business activities and does not require a license for the distribution of religious books and pamphlets without profit. Accordingly, the conviction was set aside and the information dismissed.