Termination of appointed assistant public defenders, who were neither policymakers nor confidential employes, solely on grounds of political affiliation was denial of first and fourteenth amendment rights. Branti v. Finkel, 445 US 507 (1980).

  Segregation confinement of prisoner without prior hearing may violate due process if postponement of procedural protections is not justified by apprehended emergency conditions. Hughes v. Rowe, 449 US 5 (1980).

  Where accident involving only Wisconsin residents occurred in Wisconsin, fact that decedent had been employed in Minnesota conferred jurisdiction on Minnesota court and Minnesota insurance law was applicable. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Hague, 449 US 302 (1981).

  National democratic party has protected right of political association and may not be compelled to seat delegates chosen in open primary in violation of party's rules. Democratic Party of U.S. v. Wisconsin, 450 US 107 (1981).

  Statute which required putative father in paternity suit to pay for blood test denied due process to indigent putative fathers. Little v. Streater, 452 US 1 (1981).

  Due process does not require appointment of counsel for indigent parents in every parental status termination proceeding. Lassiter v. Dept. of Social Services, 452 US 18 (1981).

  Life prisoner had no due process right to statement of reasons why board did not commute life sentence. Connecticut Board of Pardons v. Dumschat, 452 US 458 (1981).

  Ordinance regulating sale of drug paraphernalia was constitutional. Hoffman Estates v. Flipside, Hoffman Estates, 455 US 489 (1982).

  Revocation of probation for failure to pay fine, without determination that probationer had not made bona fide effort to pay or that alternate forms of punishment did not exist, denied due process and equal protection. Bearden v. Georgia, 461 US 660 (1983).

  Notice by publication did not satisfy due process requirements in tax sale. Mennonite Board of Missions v. Adams, 462 US 791 (1983).

  State's policy of preserving county boundaries in reapportionment plan justified population deviation averaging 13%. Brown v. Thomson, 462 US 835 (1983).

  Discussion of minority set-aside program held to violate due process. Richmond v. Croson Co. 488 US 469, 102 LEd 2d 854 (1989).

  Discussion of abortion restrictions held to comply with constitutional protections. Webster v. Reproductive Health Serv. 492 US 490, 106 LEd 2d 410 (1989).

  Assuming that competent person has constitutional right to refuse treatment, court concludes state may require clear and convincing evidence that incompetent patient desired withdrawal of treatment. Cruzan v. Director, Mo. Health Dept. 497 US , 111 LEd 2d 224 (1990).

  See note to 146.78, citing Hodgson v. Minnesota, 497 US , 111 LEd 2d 344 (1990) and Ohio v. Akron Reprod. Health Center, 497 US , 111 LEd 2d 405 (1990).

  It is not violation of due process clause to tow illegally parked car without first giving owner notice and opportunity to be heard regarding lawfulness of tow. Sutton v. City of Milwaukee, 672 F (2d) 644 (1982).

  Village board's denial of application for liquor license did not deprive applicant of either liberty or property. Scott v. Village of Kewaskum, 786 F (2d) 338 (1986).

  Wisconsin's abortion statute (940.04, Stats. 1969) is unconstitutional as applied to the abortion of an embryo which has not quickened. Babbitz v. McCann, 310 F Supp. 293.

  The limitation of AFDC benefits to 120% of the national average is unconstitutional. Alvarado v. Schmidt, 317 F Supp. 1027.

  The word "publicly" in 944.20 (2) is susceptible to a construction which will avoid the question of constitutional overbreadth, by limiting the application of the statute to constitutionally permissible goals of protecting children from exposure to obscenity and preventing assaults on sensibilities of unwilling adults in public. Reichenberger v. Warren, 319 F Supp. 1237.

  Prosecution for topless dancing, where minors are not involved and where adults present were aware of the proposed dance, enjoined. Pederson v. Breier, 327 F Supp. 1382.

  Proceedings to revoke a license for performing abortions involving an embryo of 4 months or less enjoined. Kennan v. Warren, 328 F Supp. 525.

  Denial of divorce to plaintiff who is a resident but has not lived in Wisconsin for 2 years is unconstitutional. Wymelenberg v. Syman, 328 F Supp. 1353.

  Teacher's alleged de facto tenure is not a protected property interest. Liberty interests discussed. Stevens v. Jt. School Dist. No. 1, Tony, Etc. 429 F Supp. 477.

  Sheriff violated tenant's protectible property interest by executing stale writ of restitution. Wolf-Lillie v. Kenosha Cty. Sheriff, 504 F Supp. 1 (1980).

  One cannot have constitutionally protected interest solely in state law procedure; separate property interest must also be present. Molgaard v. Town of Caledonia, 527 F Supp. 1073 (1981).

  Demon rum and the dirty dance: reconsidering government regulation of live sex entertainment after California v. La Rue. 1975 WLR 161.

  Reasonable corporal punishment by school official over parental objection is constitutional. 1976 WLR 689.

  Procedural due process in public schools: The "thicket" of Goss v. Lopez. 1976 WLR 934.

  Impartial decisionmaker--authority of school board to dismiss striking teachers. 1977 WLR 521.

  Property interest--government employment--state law defines limitation of entitlement. 1977 WLR 575.

I,2   Slavery prohibited. Section 2. There shall be neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude in this state, otherwise than for the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

I,3   Free speech; libel. Section 3. Every person may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right, and no laws shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all criminal prosecutions or indictments for libel, the truth may be given in evidence, and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous be true, and was published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted; and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the fact.

  FREE SPEECH

  A city can validly prohibit picketing of private homes where the subject of the picketing has no relationship to any activity carried on there. Wauwatosa v. King, 49 W (2d) 398, 182 NW (2d) 530.

  A journalist has a constitutional right to the privilege not to disclose his sources of information received in confidential relationship, but when such confidence is in conflict with the public's overriding need to know, it must yield to the interest of justice. The state need not affirmatively demonstrate proof of compelling need or lack of an alternative method of obtaining the information sought, where the crimes involved and the prevention of repetition of such crimes constitute a compelling need. State v. Knops, 49 W (2d) 647, 183 NW (2d) 93.

  Only that portion of the obscenity ordinance defining obscenity in Roth-Memoirs terms is unconstitutional, and the remainder is a viable, effective ordinance when supplemented by the supreme court's Chobot obscenity definition and Court "community standards" definition. Madison v. Nickel, 66 W (2d) 71, 223 NW (2d) 865.

  The majority representative's exclusive right to represent all employes in the bargaining unit precludes speech by others in the form of bargaining or negotiating for a labor agreement, the infringement of 1st amendment rights of such persons being justified by the necessity to avoid the dangers attendant upon relative chaos in labor-management relations. Madison Jt. Sch. Dist. No. 8 v. WERC, 69 W (2d) 200, 231 NW (2d) 206.

  Section 944.32, 1987 stats., prohibiting solicitation of prostitutes, does not violate right of free speech. Shillcutt v. State, 74 W (2d) 642, 247 NW (2d) 694.

  Where radio talk show announcer was fired for allowing talk show guests to slander minorities, announcer's right of free speech was not infringed. Augustine v. Anti-Defamation Lg. B'nai B'rith, 75 W (2d) 207, 249 NW (2d) 547.

  Where record did not indicate that Madison Tenant Union would provide inadequate, unethical or complex legal advice to tenants, Madison Tenant Union information service is protected by free speech guarantees. Hopper v. Madison, 79 W (2d) 120, 256 NW (2d) 139.

  947.01 (2), 1977 stats., which prohibits making telephone call with intent to annoy, is unconstitutionally overbroad. State v. Dronso, 90 W (2d) 110, 279 NW (2d) 710 (Ct. App. 1979).

  Public's right to be aware of all facts surrounding issue does not interfere with right of newspaper to reject advertising. Wis. Asso. of Nursing Homes v. Journal Co. 92 W (2d) 709, 285 NW (2d) 891 (Ct. App. 1979).

  Court sets procedures to determine whether journalist may properly invoke privilege to prevent disclosure of confidential sources. Green Bay Newspaper v. Circuit Court, 113 W (2d) 411, 335 NW (2d) 367 (1983).

  Free speech rights of policymaker may be curtailed where commonality of political beliefs with prevailing policymaker is required for effective performance of office. Thus, county executive properly removed board of health member for antihomosexual remarks at meeting. Pawlisch v. Barry, 126 W (2d) 162, 376 NW (2d) 368 (Ct. App. 1985).

  Right of free speech applies against state action, not private action. Jacobs v. Major, 139 W (2d) 492, 407 NW (2d) 832 (1987).

  News gatherers have no constitutional right of access to disaster scenes beyond that accorded general public. City of Oak Creek v. King, 148 W (2d) 532, 436 NW (2d) 285 (1989).

  Commercial speech is protected by First Amendment; government must show restriction directly advances substantial interest to support constitutionality. City of Milwaukee v. Blondis, 157 W (2d) 730, 460 NW (2d) 815 (Ct. App. 1990).

  Sentence based on activity protected by first amendment is constitutionally invalid, but when sufficient link to criminal activity is shown, activity is no longer protected. State v. J.E.B., 161 W (2d) 655, 469 NW (2d) 192 (Ct. App. 1991).

  Although music is accorded presumption of protected speech, ordinance prohibiting all unreasonable noise was not unconstitutionally vague encroachment on free speech. City of Madison v. Bauman, 162 W (2d) 660, 470 NW (2d) 296 (1991).

  Employee's free speech rights were not violated where employer's need for confidentiality and discipline clearly outweighed employe's interest in disclosing confidential information. Barnhill v. Bd. of Regents, 166 W (2d) 395, 479 NW (2d) 917 (1992).

  "Hate crimes" law, 939.645, held to unconstitutionally infringe upon free speech. State v. Mitchell, 169 W (2d) 153, 485 NW (2d) 413 (1992).

  Free speech and state's campaign finance law discussed in light of Buckley v. Valeo, 96 S. Ct. 612. 65 Atty. Gen. 145.

  Prohibition under 11.38 (1) (a) 1, 1977 stats., against political contributions and disbursements in support of or in opposition to any referendum is unconstitutional. Other prohibitions in (1) (a) 1 are severable and constitutional. 68 Atty. Gen. 64.

  See note to 16.845, citing 68 Atty. Gen. 217.

  Sections 756.03 and 756.031 do not unconstitutionally restrict free expression. 69 Atty. Gen. 19.

  Car card space on city transit system is not free speech forum. Lehman v. City of Shaker Heights, 418 US 298.

  Flag misuse statute was unconstitutional as applied to flag hung upside down with peace symbol affixed where context imbued display with protected elements of communication. Spence v. State of Washington, 418 US 405.

  Commercial advertising is protected free speech. Bigelow v. Virginia, 421 US 809.

  Campaign expenditure limitations unduly restrict political expression. Buckley v. Valeo, 424 US 1.

  Campaign expenditure limitations unduly restrict political expression. Press Asso. v. Stuart, 427 US 539.

  Prior restraint of news media to limit pretrial publicity discussed. Nebraska Press Asso. v. Stuart, 427 US 539.

  Board of education may not prevent non-union teacher from speaking of bargaining issue at open meeting. Madison School Dist. v. Wis. Emp. Comm. 429 US 167.

  Corporations' free speech rights discussed. First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti, 435 US 765 (1978).

  First Amendment prohibited prosecution of newspaper for publishing confidential proceedings of commission investigating judicial conduct. Landmark Communications, Inc. v. Virginia, 435 US 829 (1978).

  Collective activity undertaken to obtain meaningful access to courts is fundamental right protected by First Amendment. In re Primus, 436 US 412 (1978).

  See note to Art. I, sec. 11, citing Zurcher v. Stanford Daily, 436 US 547 (1978).

  First Amendment does not guarantee public's or media's right of access to sources of information within government control. Houchins v. KQED, Inc. 438 US 1 (1978).

  Public employe's private, as well as public, speech is protected. Givhan v. Western Line Consol. School Dist. 439 US 410 (1979).

  See note to 971.31, citing Gannett Co. v. DePasquale, 443 US 368 (1979).

  State constitution free speech provision which permitted handbillers in privately owned shopping center did not violate owner's federal constitution property or free speech rights. Pruneyard Shopping Center v. Robins, 447 US 74 (1980).

  Public utility had free speech right to inclose with bills inserts discussing controversial issues of public policy. Consolidated Edison v. Public Serv. Comm'n. 447 US 530 (1980).

  Test for determining whether commercial speech is protected discussed. Central Hudson Gas v. Public Serv. Comm'n. 447 US 557 (1980).

  Absent an overriding interest articulated in findings, criminal trial must be open to public. Richmond Newspapers, Inc. v. Virginia, 448 US 555 (1980).

  Ordinance prohibiting live dancing exhibition violated free speech clause. Schad v. Mount Ephraim, 452 US 61 (1981).

  Statute prohibiting nude dancing in establishments licensed by state to sell liquor was valid under 21st amendment. New York State Liquor Authority v. Bellanca, 452 US 714 (1981).

  Statute which prohibits placing unstamped mailable matter in any box approved by U.S. postal service does not violate free speech clause. U. S. Postal Service v. Greenburgh Civic Assn. 453 US 114 (1981).

  Ordinance which placed substantial restrictions on billboards other than those used for onsite commercial advertising violated free speech clause. Metromedia v. San Diego, 453 US 490 (1981).

  Public university which provided forum to many student groups but excluded religious student groups violated principle that state regulation of speech should be content-neutral. Widmar v. Vincent, 454 US 263 (1981).

  Ordinance regulating sale of drug paraphernalia was constitutional. Hoffman Estates v. Flipside, Hoffman Estates, 455 US 489 (1982).

  School board's discretion to determine contents of school libraries may not be exercised in narrowly partisan or political manner. Board of Education v. Pico, 457 US 853 (1982).

  States are entitled to greater leeway in regulation of pornographic depictions of children. New York v. Ferber, 458 US 747 (1982).

  Discharge of public employe did not deny free speech rights, under facts of case. Connick v. Myers, 461 US 138 (1983).

  Sidewalk was "public forum"; hence, prohibition of leaflets denied free speech. U.S. v. Grace, 461 US 171 (1983).

  Government's substantial interest in maintaining park in heart of capital in attractive condition sustained regulation against camping or overnight sleeping in public parks. Free speech was not denied. Clark v. Community for Creative Non-violence, 468 US 288 (1984).

  School district didn't violate free speech clause by disciplining student for giving offensively lewd and indecent speech at school assembly. Bethel School Dist. No. 403 v. Fraser, 478 US 675 (1986).

  School administrators may exercise control over style and content of student speech in school-sponsored activity as long as control is reasonably related to "legitimate pedagogical concerns". Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 US 260 (1988).

  State may not categorically ban targeted, direct-mail advertising by attorneys. Shapero v. Kentucky Bar Assn. 486 US 466 (1988).

  Brookfield ordinance prohibiting picketing of individual's residence was not facially invalid under free speech provision. Frisby v. Schultz, 487 US 474 (1988).

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Wisconsin Constitution updated by the Legislative Reference Bureau. Published November 8, 2024. Click for the Coverage of Annotations for the Annotated Constitution. Report errors at 608.504.5801 or lrb.legal@legis.wisconsin.gov.