Meaning of the quote

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives people the freedom to say what they think, but it does not mean they can use money to influence elections or politics. The judge's quote explains that the First Amendment focuses on protecting your right to speak your mind, not your right to spend money to try to change people's opinions.

About Byron White

Byron White was an American lawyer, jurist, and professional football player who served on the Supreme Court from 1962 to 1993. He had a diverse career, excelling as a student-athlete, Rhodes Scholar, naval officer, and advocate for the federal government and civil rights before his appointment to the nation’s highest court.

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More quotes from Byron White

The law is constantly based on notions of morality, and if all laws representing essentially moral choices are to be invalidated under the due process clause, the courts will be very busy indeed.

Byron White

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)

We’re the only branch of government that explains itself in writing every time it makes a decision.

Byron White

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)

Where the suspect poses no immediate threat to the officer and no threat to others, the harm resulting from the failing to apprehend him does not justify the use of deadly force to do so.

Byron White

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)

The risk of racial prejudice infecting a capital sentencing proceeding is especially serious in light of the complete finality of the death sentence.

Byron White

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)

The Court is most vulnerable and comes nearest to illegitimacy when it deals with judge-made constitutional law having little or no cognizable roots in the language or design of the Constitution.

Byron White

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)

The 1st Amendment protects the right to speak, not the right to spend.

Byron White

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)

Maintaining order in the classrooms has never been easy and it is evident that the school setting requires some easing of the restrictions to which searches by public authorities are ordinarily subject.

Byron White

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)

To exclude all jurors who would be in the slightest way affected by the prospect of the death penalty would be to deprive the defendant of the impartial jury to which he or she is entitled under the law.

Byron White

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)