In Coates v. City of Cincinnati (1971), the Supreme Court _________ an ordinance that made it unlawful for "three or more persons to assemble ... on any sidewalks and there conduct themselves in a manner annoying to persons passing by" under the overbreadth doctrine.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The overbreadth doctrine holds that a law is unconstitutional if it unnecessarily restricts First Amendment rights. The Supreme Court in Coates v. City of Cincinnati found that the ordinance was overbroad because it covered more speech than was necessary to address the government's interest in maintaining order on the sidewalks. Therefore, the Court invalidated the ordinance, making choice B the correct answer.

In Coates V