National Organization for Women v. Scheidler
National Organization for Women v. Scheidler | |
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Holding | |
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act applies to enterprises without economic motives, including anti-abortion protesters. Seventh Circuit reversed. | |
Court membership | |
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Case opinions | |
Majority | Rehnquist, joined by unanimous |
Concurrence | Souter, joined by Kennedy |
Laws applied | |
18 U.S.C. § 1961–1968 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) |
National Organization for Women v. Scheidler, 510 U.S. 249 (1994), is a
anti-abortion
protesters could thus be prosecuted under it. An organization without an economic motive can still affect interstate or foreign commerce and thus satisfy the Act's definition of a racketeering enterprise.
The Court did not issue judgment on whether or not the Pro-Life Action Network, the organization in question, had committed actions that could be prosecuted under RICO.
Joseph Scheidler, while Miguel Estrada represented the United States as amicus curiae
in favor of reversal.
See also
Further reading
Joseph Scheidler#NOW v. Scheidler
discusses the wider course of the litigation, before and after the 1994 Supreme Court decision.
External links
- Text of National Organization for Women v. Scheidler, 510 U.S. 249 (1994) is available from: CourtListener Findlaw Justia Library of Congress Oyez (oral argument audio)