Texas v. Johnson 1989
Can a state punish burning the American flag as political protest?
491 U.S. 397 (1989)Speech and press
- The question
- Can a state punish burning the American flag as political protest?
- What the Court held
- No. Flag burning is expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment.
- The vote
- 5–4
- Read the opinion
- 491 U.S. 397 (1989), full text
This page summarizes the Court’s judgment in neutral terms. The opinion, concurrences and dissents are the authority; read them for the reasoning.