Hill v. Colorado

Case Type:		Actual
Exigence:		In 1993, the Colorado legislature passed a criminal statute restricting protest activities around abortion clinics. The law created a 100-foot radius zone around a health care facility, as a "fixed buffer zone." Within that fixed buffer zone only, no person can knowingly approach another within eight feet for the purpose of displaying a sign, engaging in oral protest, educating, counseling, or passing leaflets or handbills, unless the other person consents to such an approach. (This eight foot radius is called a "floating buffer zone.) Several anti-abortion activists challenged the law, arguing that it violates their First Amendment rights. The Colorado Supreme Court upheld the statute; the case is now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Audience:		The Supreme Court.
Possible Constraints:		The U.S. Supreme Court has recently considered the constitutionality of court orders establishing various types of buffer zones. See the decisions: Schenck v. Pro-Choice Network, (1997) (an abridged version in packet) Madsen v. Women's Health Center, (1994) (an abridged version in packet) The Colorado Supreme Court's decision. A write-up of the case from Medill's On the Docket website. Check here for links onward--for example, to an online manual for anti-abortion sidewalk counselors. A report from the Freedom Forum.
Decision:		Up to you.
Related issues:		Harm to society Harm to individuals Offense Other special places Time, place and manner regulations
Notes:		A debate case for Comm Studies C30-1.

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Last updated 4 January 2000
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