CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
W.B. Fisch, Fall 2006
Assignment #42

Chapter 14. RESTRICTIONS ON TIME, PLACE, OR MANNER OF EXPRESSION

1. The Traditional Public Forum: Speech Activities in Streets and Parks

Schneider v. New Jersey, p. 1463 (1939): offered for articulation of "traditional public forum" concept and its limits -- what is special about such a place? What are the limits? Can the city simply decide to close the streets and parks to all expressive activity?

FRISBY V. SCHULTZ, p. 1464 (1988)

  • what regulation, with what purpose?
  • is the place of regulation part of the "traditional public forum"? does it make a difference that the area in question is residential?
  • is the regulation based on the content of the message being conveyed? why does it matter?
  • what standard of review does the Court apply to the regulation?
    • is the city's interest important? compelling?
    • is the regulation narrowly tailored to the city's interest? does it restrict more speech activity than is necessary to protect that interest?

MADSEN V. WOMEN'S HEALTH CENTER, INC., p. 1468 (1994).

  • What regulation, for what purpose?
  • How, if at all, does the form of the regulation (injunction) affect 1st A. analysis?
  • is the area regulated part of the "traditional public forum"?
  • is the regulation "content-neutral"?
  • how do the various "buffer zones" of the injunction fare under 1st A. analysis?
    • 36-ft., measured from property line: congregation, picketing, etc.
    • 300-ft., measured from "the Clinic"
      • noise
      • "images observable"
      • 300-ft., measured from residences of clinic personnel
  • what about 15-ft., measured from the person entering or leaving? (Schenck, 1997)

HILL V. COLORADO, p. 1476 (2000)

·  Is a statute regulating speech at health care facilities different from an injunction?

·  Is this statute "content-neutral"?

·  is it a valid "time-place-manner" regulation?  Specifically, does it suppress more speech than is necessary to accomplilsh the legitimate purpose?

·  is it unconstitutionally vague?