Thomas v. Collins

Media Items
Case Basics
Docket No.: 
14
Petitioner: 
Thomas
Respondent: 
Collins
Decided By: 
Stone Court (1943-1945)
Opinion: 
323 U.S. 516 (1945)

Cite this page
The Oyez Project, Thomas v. Collins , 323 U.S. 516 (1945)
available at: (http://oyez.org/cases/1940-1949/1944/1944_14)
Facts of the Case: 

A Texas law required union officials to obtain an organizer's card before soliciting possible members. A judge convicted a labor organizer of contempt for speaking at a union rally without a permit.

Question: 

Does the Texas law requiring labor organizers to secure permission to solicit members violate the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment?

Conclusion: 

Yes, the law was unconstitutional. It interfered with freedom of speech and freedom of assembly which possesses "a sanctity and a sanction not permitting dubious intrusions."