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Schad v. Borough of Mount Ephraim Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: A borough’s zoning ordinance completely banned all live entertainment. The Supreme Court found this ban unconstitutional, holding that a municipality cannot entirely prohibit a broad category of protected expression without a substantial government justification.
Legal Significance: This case establishes that zoning ordinances completely banning a form of protected speech, such as live entertainment, are subject to heightened First Amendment scrutiny and are unconstitutional if not narrowly tailored to serve a substantial government interest.
Schad v. Borough of Mount Ephraim 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
Appellants operated an adult bookstore in a commercial zone within the Borough of Mount Ephraim, New Jersey. After initially selling books and showing adult films in coin-operated booths, they introduced a new booth where customers could watch a live, nude dancer. Appellants were subsequently charged with violating the borough’s zoning ordinance. The ordinance listed permitted uses for the commercial zone, such as retail stores, restaurants, and motels, but did not include live entertainment. A separate provision stated that all uses not expressly permitted were prohibited. The New Jersey courts interpreted the ordinance as a complete ban on all forms of live entertainment anywhere in the borough. The borough’s commercial zone, however, permitted a wide array of other commercial activities, including some intended for ‘regional’ patrons. The borough offered several justifications for the ban, including a desire to serve only the ‘immediate needs’ of its residents and to avoid problems like parking and trash associated with entertainment venues.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Does a municipal zoning ordinance that completely bans all live entertainment, a form of expression protected by the First Amendment, violate the rights of free expression under the First and Fourteenth Amendments?
Yes. The ordinance is unconstitutional. The Borough’s complete prohibition of live entertainment, 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 ullam
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 a municipal zoning ordinance that completely bans all live entertainment, a form of expression protected by the First Amendment, violate the rights of free expression under the First and Fourteenth Amendments?
Conclusion
This decision significantly limits the power of municipalities to use zoning as Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim ve
Legal Rule
When a zoning law infringes upon a protected liberty such as freedom 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 e
Legal Analysis
The Court began by affirming that entertainment, including non-obscene nude dancing, is 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 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 v
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- A zoning ordinance that completely bans a broad category of First