HOME > First Amendment Library > Case   California v. LaRue (docket #: 71-36) (1972)  [Findlaw] Argument Date 10/10/1972 Decided 12/5/1972 Supreme Court Vote 5-1-3 Supreme Court Ruling First Amendment claim denied   Issue Whether the state of California could, consistent with the First Amendment, bar live sexual entertainment in bars and restaurants licensed to serve liquor. Majority Opinion Rehnquist, J. Concurring Opinion Stewart, J. Dissenting Opinion Douglas, J., Brennan, J., & Marshall, J. Lower Court Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Lower Court Ruling First Amendment claim upheld Lawyers For Petitioner L. Stephen Porter, Deputy Attorney General of California For Respondent Harrison W. Hertzberg and Kenneth Scholtz Ruling - Lower Court 326 F. Supp. 348 News "Court Rules Against 'Live' Clubs," The Chicago Daily Defender, Dec. 6, 1972, p. 8 "Nightclubs Score Rule on Sex Acts," The New York Times, Dec. 6, 1972, p. 25 "The Courts and Sex in Bars," The Los Angeles Times, Dec. 8, 1972, Sect. C, p. 6 Hempstone, Smith, "Conservatives Should Ponder the Ruling on Bottomless Bars," The Los Angeles Times, Dec. 14, 1972, Sect, C, p. 7 MacKenzie, John P., "Sex Ban in Bars Upheld," The Washington Post, Dec. 6, 1972, Sect. A, p. 1 Weaver, Warren, "Justices Back State Bans on Sex Acts in Nightclubs," The New York Times, Dec. 6, 1972, p. 97  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