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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Lochner era
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A quick definition of Lochner era:
The Lochner era was a time in American history from 1890 to 1937 when the Supreme Court protected economic rights by striking down laws that regulated working conditions, wages, or hours. This was because the court believed in a hands-off approach to the economy, called laissez-faire. The most famous case from this era was Lochner v. New York, where the court ruled that a law limiting the hours bakers could work was unconstitutional. The Lochner era ended when President Roosevelt threatened to add more judges to the Supreme Court to support his New Deal policies.
A more thorough explanation:
The Lochner era was a period of time in the United States from 1890 to 1937 when the Supreme Court protected economic rights by interpreting due process broadly. During this time, the court tended to strike down economic regulations of working conditions, wages, or hours in favor of laissez-faire economic policy.
For example, in the case of Lochner v. New York, the court invalidated a New York statute that limited the number of hours a bakery employee could work. The court argued that this regulation interfered with the right of contract between the employer and employee.
The Lochner era ended when President Roosevelt threatened to "pack" the court with new appointees after becoming frustrated with the court's invalidation of New Deal policies.