👩🏾‍⚖️ap us government review

Miller v. California (1973)

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A 1973 Supreme Court decision that created a three-part test for when sexually explicit material falls outside First Amendment protection. It held material is obscene if, applying contemporary community standards, it appeals to prurient interest, depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value, thereby giving local communities greater authority to regulate obscenity.

AP course connection

Topic 3.2: 3.2 First Amendment: Freedom of Religion

Unit 3

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