Smith v. Goguen
Supreme Court of the United States
415 U.S. 566 (1974)
Relevant factsFree
Goguen (defendant) was convicted under a Massachusetts statute prohibiting treating the American flag with contempt after he sewed a small flag patch onto the back pocket of his jeans; the First Circuit overturned his conviction after the state courts affirmed it, and Massachusetts appealed.
IssueFree
Whether a statute is void-for-vagueness when it does not clearly describe the forms of conduct that are prohibited.