Griswold

Jonathan Hoh Griswold v. Connecticut 1965

__Background__ For a long stretch of Connecticut’s history, a law was in place that banned the use of condoms, birth control, or any other form of contraceptives. An organization named Planned Parenthood, lead by a woman named Griswold, however, gave out information, counseling, and contraceptives to those looking to avoid pregnancy. Connecticut convicted Griswold and her colleagues, claiming that their acts were criminal. Griswold argued that the constitution protects the privacy of marital relations, and therefore, contraception clinics should be legal.

__Question__ Does the Constitution in any way state that marital relations are to remain private, or can they be encroached upon by the government?

__Court Ruling__ The Supreme Court decided in favor of Griswold, stating that while not implicitly stated in the Constitution, together, the First, Third, Fourth, and Ninth Amendments, create a new constitutional right, the right to privacy in marital relations. The existence and use of organizations such as planned parenthood were from then on legal in Connecticut, as well, the ban of the use of contraceptives in Connecticut was deemed unconstitutional.