Griswold v. CT 1965
Background: Griswold was the Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut, and as part of her job she and the League's Medical Director dispensed instruction and other medical advice to married couples concerning birth control. Under a Connecticut law that criminalized the provision of treatment or medical advice to medical persons for the purpose of contraception, the two were convicted.
Issues: Did the Constitution protect the right of marital privacy against state restrictions on a couple's ability to be counseled in the use of contraceptives?
Ruling/Impact: Although the Constitution did not explicitly provide for a general protection of privacy, the Court ruled that the bill of rights created specific zones in which a right to privacy was established. The first, third, fourth, and ninth amendments created a new constitutional right: the right to privacy in marital relations. Because the Connecticut Statue conflicted with this, it was null and void.
Issues: Did the Constitution protect the right of marital privacy against state restrictions on a couple's ability to be counseled in the use of contraceptives?
Ruling/Impact: Although the Constitution did not explicitly provide for a general protection of privacy, the Court ruled that the bill of rights created specific zones in which a right to privacy was established. The first, third, fourth, and ninth amendments created a new constitutional right: the right to privacy in marital relations. Because the Connecticut Statue conflicted with this, it was null and void.