No. 23-1122

Free Speech Coalition, Inc., et al. v. Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2024-04-16
Status: Judgment Issued
Type: Paid
Amici (45)Relisted (2) Experienced Counsel
Tags: adults-access constitutional-rights content-based-restriction first-amendment free-speech protected-speech rational-basis rational-basis-review strict-scrutiny
Key Terms:
FirstAmendment Patent
Latest Conference: 2024-07-01 (distributed 2 times)
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the court of appeals erred as a matter of law in applying rational-basis review to a law burdening adults' access to protected speech, instead of strict scrutiny as this Court and other circuits have consistently done

Question Presented (from Petition)

QUESTION PRESENTED This Court has repeatedly held that States may rationally restrict minors’ access to sexual materials, but such restrictions must withstand strict scrutiny if they burden adults’ access to constitutionally protected speech. See, e.g., Ashcroft v. ACLU, 542 U.S. 656, 663 (2004). In the decision below, the Fifth Circuit applied rational-basis review—rather than strict scrutiny—to vacate a preliminary injunction of a provision of a Texas law that significantly burdens adults’ access to protected speech, because the law’s stated purpose is to protect minors. The question presented is: Whether the court of appeals erred as a matter of law in applying rational-basis review to a law burdening adults’ access to protected speech, instead of strict scrutiny as this Court and other circuits have consistently done.

Docket Entries

2025-07-29
Judgment Issued.
2025-06-27
Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Thomas, J., delivered the <a href = 'https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1122_3e04.pdf'>opinion</a> of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett, JJ., joined. Kagan, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Sotomayor and Jackson, JJ., joined.
2025-01-16
Record received electronically from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and available with the Clerk.
2025-01-15
Argued. For petitioners: Derek L. Shaffer, Washington, D. C. For United States, as amicus curiae: Brian H. Fletcher, Principal Deputy Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For respondent: Aaron L. Nielson, Solicitor General, Austin, Tex.
2025-01-14
Letter of petitioners Free Speech Coalition, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-01-14
Letter of respondent Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas filed. (Distributed)
2025-01-14
Supplemental Brief of Free Speech Coalition, et al. submitted.
2025-01-14
Supplemental Brief of Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas submitted.
2024-12-23
Reply of petitioners Free Speech Coalition, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2024-12-23
Reply of Free Speech Coalition, et al. submitted.
2024-12-09
Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae, for divided argument, and for enlargement of time for oral argument GRANTED.
2024-12-06
Application (24A542) granted by Justice Alito extending the time to file petitioners' reply brief on the merits until December 23, 2024.
2024-12-03
CIRCULATED
2024-11-27
Application of petitioners (24A542) to extend the time to file a reply brief on the merits from December 16, 2024 to December 23, 2024, submitted to Justice Alito.
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
Brief amici curiae of American Foundation for Addiction Research, et al. filed.
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
Brief amici curiae of The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, et al. filed.
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
Brief amicus curiae of Louisiana State Representative, The Honorable Laurie Schlegel filed.
2024-11-22
Brief amici curiae of Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, et al. filed.
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
Brief amici curiae of Scholars on the Neurological Effects of Pornography on Adolescents filed.
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-22
2024-11-21
2024-11-18
Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae, for divided argument, and for enlargement of time for oral argument filed.
2024-11-15
2024-11-15
2024-11-13
Record requested from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
2024-10-31
SET FOR ARGUMENT on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
2024-09-23
Brief amicus curiae of United States supporting vacatur filed.
2024-09-23
2024-09-23
Brief amicus curiae of International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children filed.
2024-09-23
2024-09-23
2024-09-23
2024-09-23
Brief amici curiae of National Coalition Against Censorship, et al. filed.
2024-09-23
2024-09-23
Brief amicus curiae of Electronic Privacy Information Center in support of neither party filed.
2024-09-23
2024-09-23
Brief amici curiae of Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, et al. filed.
2024-09-23
Brief amici curiae of American Booksellers for Free Expression, et al. filed.
2024-09-20
Brief amici curiae of The Center for Democracy & Technology, et al. filed.
2024-09-16
Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
2024-09-16
Joint Appendix submitted.
2024-09-16
2024-07-31
Motion to extend the time to file the briefs on the merits granted. The time to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including September 16, 2024. The time to file respondent's brief on the merits is extended to and including November 15, 2024.
2024-07-25
Motion for an extension of time to file the briefs on the merits filed.
2024-07-25
Motion of Free Speech Coalition, et al. for an extension of time submitted.
2024-07-02
Petition GRANTED.
2024-06-28
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 7/1/2024.
2024-06-04
Reply of petitioners Free Speech Coalition, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2024-06-04
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/20/2024.
2024-05-31
Waiver of the 14-day waiting period for the distribution of the petition pursuant to Rule 15.5 filed by petitioner.
2024-05-30
Brief of respondent Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas in opposition filed.
2024-05-16
Brief amicus curiae of International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children filed.
2024-05-16
Brief amici curiae of American Booksellers for Free Expression, et al. filed.
2024-05-16
Brief amici curiae of Electronic Frontier Foundation and Woodhull Freedom Foundation filed.
2024-05-16
Brief amicus curiae of Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression filed.
2024-05-08
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted in part and the time is extended to and including May 30, 2024.
2024-05-07
Response to motion to extend the time to file a response from petitioners filed.
2024-05-07
Motion to extend the time to file a response from May 16, 2024 to June 17, 2024, submitted to The Clerk.
2024-04-30
Application (23A925) for stay presented to Justice Alito and by him referred to the Court is denied.
2024-04-30
Application (23A925) referred to the Court.
2024-04-29
Reply of applicant Free Speech Coalition, et al. filed.
2024-04-26
Response to application from respondent Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas filed.
2024-04-17
Response to application (23A925) requested by Justice Alito, due by 4 p.m. (EDT), on April 26, 2024.
2024-04-12
2024-04-12

Attorneys

Age Verification Providers Association
Aaron Michael StreettBaker Botts, L.L.P., Amicus
Aaron Michael StreettBaker Botts, L.L.P., Amicus
Alliance Defending Freedom
John J. BurschAlliance Defending Freedom, Amicus
John J. BurschAlliance Defending Freedom, Amicus
American Booksellers for Free Expression, Association of American Publishers, Inc., Authors Guild, Inc., Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and Freedom to Read Foundation
Kenneth A. BambergerBoalt Hall Schol of LawUniversity of CA, Amicus
Kenneth A. BambergerUniversity of California, Berkeley, Amicus
American Foundation for Addiction Research, et al.
Daniel Robert SuhrCenter for American Rights, Amicus
Daniel Robert SuhrCenter for American Rights, Amicus
American Principles Project
Theodore Mark CoopersteinTheodore Cooperstein PLLC, Amicus
Theodore Mark CoopersteinTheodore Cooperstein PLLC, Amicus
Atsign, Inc.
Derek T. HoKellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C., Amicus
Derek T. HoKellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C., Amicus
Cato Institute
Thomas Arthur BerryCato Institute, Amicus
Thomas Arthur BerryCato Institute, Amicus
Citizens Defending Freedom
Erin Elizabeth MersinoThe Muise Law Group, PLLC, Amicus
Erin Elizabeth MersinoThe Muise Law Group, PLLC, Amicus
Clare Morell and Bradford Littlejohn
Eric Nieuwenhuis KniffinEthics and Public Policy Center, Amicus
Eric Nieuwenhuis KniffinEthics and Public Policy Center, Amicus
Council on Pornography Reform, America's Future, Public Advocate of the United States, U.S. Constitutional Rights Legal Defense Fund, and Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund
William Jeffrey OlsonWilliam J. Olson, P.C., Amicus
William Jeffrey OlsonWilliam J. Olson, P.C., Amicus
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Corey Dustin SilversteinSilverstein Legal, Amicus
Electronic Frontier Foundation and Woodhull Freedom Foundation
Aaron David MackeyElectronic Frontier Foundation, Amicus
Aaron David MackeyElectronic Frontier Foundation, Amicus
Kevin S. TollSilverstein Legal, Amicus
Kevin S. TollSilverstein Legal, Amicus
Electronic Privacy Information Center
Alan Jay ButlerElectronic Privacy Information Center, Amicus
Alan Jay ButlerElectronic Privacy Information Center, Amicus
Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Baptist General Convention of Texas
Stephen Chad MeredithSquire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, Amicus
Stephen Chad MeredithSquire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, Amicus
Exodus Cry, Stand With Survivors and Protect Young Eyes
Aaron Thomas MartinMartin Law & Mediation PLLC, Amicus
Aaron Thomas MartinMartin Law & Mediation PLLC, Amicus
First Amendment Scholars
Jennifer Marie SafstromVanderbilt Law School, Amicus
Jennifer Marie SafstromVanderbilt Law School, Amicus
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
Robert Lawrence Corn-RevereFoundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Amicus
Robert Lawrence Corn-RevereFoundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Amicus
Free Speech Coalition, et al.
Derek L. ShafferQuinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Petitioner
Derek L. ShafferQuinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Petitioner
Institute for Justice
Paul Michael ShermanInstitute for Justice, Amicus
Paul Michael ShermanInstitute for Justice, Amicus
Anna Aleksandrovna BidwellInstitute for Justice, Amicus
Anna Aleksandrovna BidwellInstitute for Justice, Amicus
International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children
Amer Shahid AhmedGibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Amicus
Amer Shahid AhmedGibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Amicus
Jaco Booyens Ministries, Ilonka Deaton, and Tami Brown Rodriquez
Lawrence B. Shallcross Jr.L.B Shallcross & Associates, Amicus
Lawrence B. Shallcross Jr.L.B Shallcross & Associates, Amicus
Justice Defense Fund
Michael Steven OveringLaw Offices of Michael S. Overing, APC, Amicus
Michael Steven OveringLaw Offices of Michael S. Overing, APC, Amicus
Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas
Aaron Lloyd NielsonOffice of the Texas Attorney General, Respondent
Aaron Lloyd NielsonOffice of the Texas Attorney General, Respondent
Louisiana State Representative, The Honorable Laurie Schlegel
Scott Lehman SternbergSternberg, Naccari, and White, LLC, Amicus
Scott Lehman SternbergSternberg, Naccari, and White, LLC, Amicus
Major Religious Organizations
Gene Clayton SchaerrSchaerr | Jaffe, Amicus
Gene Clayton SchaerrSchaerr | Jaffe, Amicus
Members of the Texas Senate
Peter Andrew GentalaNational Center of Sexual Exploitation, Amicus
Peter Andrew GentalaNational Center of Sexual Exploitation, Amicus
Minnesota Family Council, Kansas Family Voice, Texas Values, and Thirty State Family Policy Organizations
Renee Kristine CarlsonTrue North Legal, Amicus
Renee Kristine CarlsonTrue North Legal, Amicus
National Coalition Against Censorship et al.
Charles Luther McCloudWilliams & Connolly LLP, Amicus
Charles Luther McCloudWilliams & Connolly LLP, Amicus
Nurse Heidi Olson
Jeffrey Albert WaldNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Amicus
Jeffrey Albert WaldNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Amicus
Prof. Zachary Cantanzaro, et al.
Ronan P. DohertyBondurant, Mixson & Elmore, LLP, Amicus
Ronan P. DohertyBondurant, Mixson & Elmore, LLP, Amicus
Scholars
D. Adam CandeubMichigan State University College of Law, Amicus
D. Adam CandeubMichigan State University College of Law, Amicus
Scholars on the Neurological Effects of Pornography on Adolescents
John Clay SullivanS|L Law PLLC, Amicus
John Clay SullivanS|L Law PLLC, Amicus
Social Science Scholars
James Ryan CondeBoyden Gray PLLC, Amicus
State Legislators, American Family Association, Inc., and AFA Action, Inc.
Trey Christian DellingerAFA Action, Inc., Amicus
Trey Christian DellingerAFA Action, Inc., Amicus
States of Ohio, Indiana, and 22 Other States
Thomas Elliot GaiserOffice of the Ohio Attorney General, Amicus
Thomas Elliot GaiserOffice of the Ohio Attorney General, Amicus
The Center for Democracy & Technology, New America’s Open Technology Institute, The Internet Society, Professor Daniel Weitzner, Professor Sarah Scheffler
Andrew Stephen BrunsKeker, Van Nest & Peters LLP, Amicus
Andrew Stephen BrunsKeker, Van Nest & Peters LLP, Amicus
The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research and Technology Scholars
James Ryan CondeBoyden Gray PLLC, Amicus
James Ryan CondeBoyden Gray PLLC, Amicus
The Matthew XVIII Group and The Reisman Institute
Mary Elizabeth McAlisterChild & Parental Rights Campaign, Inc., Amicus
Mary Elizabeth McAlisterChild & Parental Rights Campaign, Inc., Amicus
The Reward Foundation
Joel L ThayerThayer, PLLC, Amicus
Joel L ThayerThayer, PLLC, Amicus
The Women's Liberation Front
Elspeth Benten CypherSupreme Judicial Court, Amicus
Elspeth Benten CypherSupreme Judicial Court, Amicus
Them Before Us
Benjamin Michael FlowersAshbrook Byrne Kresge LLC, Amicus
Benjamin Michael FlowersAshbrook Byrne Kresge LLC, Amicus
U.S. Senator Mike Lee, Senator John Cornyn, Representative Chip Roy, and 20 Other Members of Congress
Patrick Francis PhilbinTorridon Law PLLC, Amicus
Patrick Francis PhilbinTorridon Law PLLC, Amicus
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Amicus
Elizabeth B. Prelogar — Amicus
Sarah M. HarrisActing Solicitor General, Amicus
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Amicus
Woodhull Freedom Foundation
Corey Dustin SilversteinSilverstein Legal, Amicus
Corey Dustin SilversteinSilverstein Legal, Amicus
Lawrence G. WaltersWalters Law Group, Amicus
Lawrence G. WaltersWalters Law Group, Amicus
Yoti Ltd.
James R. MarshMarsh Law Firm PLlC, Amicus
James R. MarshMarsh Law Firm PLlC, Amicus