You are viewing a free summary from Descrybe.ai. For citation checking, legal issue analysis, and other advanced tools, explore our Legal Research Toolkit — not free, but close.

Smith v. California

Citations: 375 U.S. 259; 84 S. Ct. 361; 11 L. Ed. 2d 311; 1963 U.S. LEXIS 6Docket: 72

Court: Supreme Court of the United States; December 16, 1963; Federal Supreme Court; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The Supreme Court of the United States granted the motion of Citizens for Decent Literature, Inc. and others to file a brief as amici curiae in the case of Bradley Reed Smith v. California. The Court vacated the previous judgment and remanded the case to the Appellate Department of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, for further consideration, specifically in light of the California Supreme Court's decision in Zeitlin v. Arnebergh. This indicates the Court's intent to reassess the issues at hand based on relevant state court precedent.

Legal Issues Addressed

Amicus Curiae Participation

Application: The Supreme Court allowed Citizens for Decent Literature, Inc. and others to participate by filing a brief as amici curiae, indicating the importance of third-party perspectives in the case.

Reasoning: The Supreme Court of the United States granted the motion of Citizens for Decent Literature, Inc. and others to file a brief as amici curiae in the case of Bradley Reed Smith v. California.

Influence of State Court Precedents

Application: The remand was specifically for reconsideration in light of the California Supreme Court's decision in Zeitlin v. Arnebergh, highlighting the impact of state court decisions on federal cases.

Reasoning: Specifically in light of the California Supreme Court's decision in Zeitlin v. Arnebergh.

Vacating and Remanding Judgments

Application: The Supreme Court vacated the prior judgment and remanded the case for further consideration by the lower court, suggesting the need for reevaluation in light of new or relevant legal precedents.

Reasoning: The Court vacated the previous judgment and remanded the case to the Appellate Department of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, for further consideration.