National Ass'n for the Advancement of Colored People, Inc. v. Bennett

Supreme Court of the United States
National Ass'n for the Advancement of Colored People, Inc. v. Bennett, 360 U.S. 471 (1959)
79 S. Ct. 1192; 3 L. Ed. 2d 1375; 1959 U.S. LEXIS 756

National Ass'n for the Advancement of Colored People, Inc. v. Bennett

Dissenting Opinion

Mr. Justice Douglas, with whom The Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Brennan concur, dissenting.

While I agree that the case should be remanded to the District Court, I think that court should be directed to pass on the constitutional issues presented without prior reference to the state courts. My reasons are stated in my dissent in Harrison v. N. A. A. C. P., ante, p. 179.

Opinion of the Court

Per Curiam.

When the validity of a state statute, challenged under the United States Constitution, is properly for adjudication before a United States District Court, reference to the state courts for construction of the statute should not automatically be made. The judgment is vacated and the case is remanded to the United States District Court for the ^Eastern District of Arkansas for consideration in light of Harrison v. N. A. A. C. P., ante, p. 167.

Reference

Full Case Name
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, INC., v. BENNETT, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ARKANSAS, Et Al.
Cited By
39 cases
Status
Published