HOME > First Amendment Library > Case   Davis v. Beason (1890) Decided 02/03/1890 Supreme Court Vote 9-0 Supreme Court Ruling Free Exercise Claim denied. The Idaho statute is not unconstitutional as being a "law respecting an establishment of religion."   Issue Whether charging defendant with a crime due to his refusal to take an oath, as prescribed by an Idaho statute, that he is not a polygamist or bigamist, violates his right to Free Exercise of his religion as a member of the Mormon Church. Majority Opinion Field, J. Lower Court Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Lower Court Ruling Free Exercise Clause claims denied. Lawyers For Petitioner F.S. Richards, S. Shellabarger, and J.M. Wilson For Respondent H.W. Smith Opinion - Lower Court Free Exercise Claim denied. Ruling that requiring defendant to take an oath swearing that he would not commit the crime of bigamy or polygamy did not violate the First Amendment of the Constitution. News "Some Important Mormon Decisions," Chicago Daily Tribune, Jan. 22, 1890, pg. 4 “Offense to Mankind; Bigamy and Polygamy are Crimes Against the Country’s Law," The Washington Post, Feb. 4, 1890, pg. 7  SEARCH MORE About this site About the First Amendment About the First Amendment Center How to contribute Video/RSS/podcasts First Amendment programs State of the First Amendment reports Religious liberty in public schools First Reports Supreme Court Columnists Experts First Amendment publications First Amendment Center history Glossary Freedom Sings™ Events First Amendment Schools Congressional Research Service reports Guest editorials FOI material The First Amendment Library Lesson plans freedomforum.org Newseum Contact us Privacy statement Related links