NAACP v. Alabama

Media Items

Oral Argument, Part 1

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Oral Argument, Part 2

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Advocates

Robert L. Carter (Argued the cause for the petitioner)

Edmon L. Rinehart (Argued the cause for the respondent)

Case Basics

Docket No.:

Petitioner:

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Respondent:

Alabama

Decided By:

Warren Court (1957-1958)

Opinion:

357 U.S. 449 (1958)

Argued:

January 15-16, 1958

Decided:

Monday, June 30, 1958

Issues:

Judicial Power, Adequate Non-Federal Grounds for Decision; Judicial Power, Adequate Non-Federal Grounds for Decision; Judicial Power, Standing to Sue, Personal Injury

Categories:

freedom of assembly, jurisdiction, freedom of association, first amendment

Cite this page

The Oyez Project, NAACP v. Alabama , 357 U.S. 449 (1958)
available at: (http://oyez.org/cases/1950-1959/1957/1957_91)

Facts of the Case:

As part of its strategy to enjoin the NAACP from operating, Alabama required it to reveal to the State's Attorney General the names and addresses of all the NAACP's members and agents in the state.

Question:

Did Alabama's requirement violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

Conclusion:

Yes. The unanimous Court held that a compelled disclosure of the NAACP's membership lists would have the effect of suppressing legal association among the group's members. Nothing short of an "overriding valid interest of the State," something not present in this case, was needed to justify Alabama's actions.

Decisions

Decision: 9 votes for NAACP, 0 vote(s) against
Legal provision: Association

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