Case Law Index
federal2015
Additional Highlights:First AmendmentContent-Based RestrictionsSign Regulations
Reed v. Town of Gilbert
United States Supreme Court
Key Holding
Content-based laws targeting speech based on its communicative content are presumptively unconstitutional and subject to strict scrutiny, regardless of government motive.
Case Summary
Reed v. Town of Gilbert held that a town sign ordinance imposing different restrictions based on the type of message conveyed was a content-based restriction on speech subject to strict scrutiny, rejecting the argument that facially content-based laws can survive without satisfying that demanding standard.