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ATLANTA MOTEL v. UNITED STATES Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: The Supreme Court upheld the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ruling that Congress could use its Commerce Clause power to prohibit racial discrimination by a motel serving interstate travelers, as such discrimination substantially affects interstate commerce.
Legal Significance: This case established a broad interpretation of the Commerce Clause, allowing Congress to regulate private, local, economic activity if, in the aggregate, it substantially affects interstate commerce. It validated a key constitutional basis for federal civil rights legislation.
ATLANTA MOTEL v. UNITED STATES Law School Study Guide
Use this case brief structure for your own legal analysis. Focus on the IRAC methodology to excel in law school exams and cold calls.
Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
The appellant, Heart of Atlanta Motel, Inc., owned and operated a large motel in Atlanta, Georgia. The motel was located near two interstate highways and solicited business from outside the state through national advertising. Approximately 75% of its registered guests were from other states. The motel maintained a policy of refusing to rent rooms to African Americans. Following the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the motel filed a declaratory judgment action, seeking to have Title II of the Act declared unconstitutional. The motel argued that Congress exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause, and that the Act violated the Fifth Amendment by depriving it of property and liberty without due process, and the Thirteenth Amendment by subjecting it to involuntary servitude. The United States counterclaimed for an injunction to prohibit the motel’s discriminatory practices. The District Court upheld the Act’s constitutionality and granted the injunction.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Does Congress have the power under the Commerce Clause to prohibit racial discrimination in public accommodations that serve interstate travelers?
Yes. The Court held that Congress acted within its constitutional authority under Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est lab
IRAC Legal Analysis
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IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.
Legal Issue
Does Congress have the power under the Commerce Clause to prohibit racial discrimination in public accommodations that serve interstate travelers?
Conclusion
This landmark decision solidified a broad interpretation of the Commerce Clause, providing Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliqu
Legal Rule
Congress may regulate local, private activities that have a substantial and harmful Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate vel
Legal Analysis
The Court's analysis rested exclusively on the Commerce Clause, deliberately avoiding the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing eli
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- Holding: Congress may prohibit racial discrimination in private places of public