Supreme Court of the United States, 1959

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

National Ass'n for the Advancement of Colored People, Inc. v. Bennett
Supreme Court of the United States · Decided June 22, 1959 · Douglas, Brennan
360 U.S. 471; 79 S. Ct. 1192; 3 L. Ed. 2d 1375; 1959 U.S. LEXIS 756 (United States Reports)

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.

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