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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, INC., v. BENNETT, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ARKANSAS, et al.

Supreme Court of the United States1959-06-22No. No. 757
360 U.S. 47179 S. Ct. 11923 L. Ed. 2d 1375SCDB 1958-1261959 U.S. LEXIS 756

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion

majority opinion

Per Curiam.

When the validity of a state statute, challenged under the United States Constitution, is properly for adjudication before a United States District Court, reference to the state courts for construction of the statute should not automatically be made. The judgment is vacated and the case is remanded to the United States District Court for the ^Eastern District of Arkansas for consideration in light of Harrison v. N. A. A. C. P., ante, p. 167.

dissent opinion

Mr. Justice Douglas,

with whom The Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Brennan concur, dissenting.

While I agree that the case should be remanded to the District Court, I think that court should be directed to pass on the constitutional issues presented without prior reference to the state courts. My reasons are stated in my dissent in Harrison v. N. A. A. C. P., ante, p. 179.