Defend the rights of all people nationwide.
Thank you for your donation

With immigrant rights, trans justice, reproductive freedom, and more at risk, we’re in courts and communities across the country to protect everyone’s rights — and we need you with us.

Your contribution to the ACLU will ensure we have the resources to protect people's rights and defend our democracy. Thanks for your support!

Donations to the ACLU are not tax-deductible.

D
o
n
a
t
e
Skip navigation
American Civil Liberties Union home
Menu
About
  • History
  • Leadership
  • Officers & board
  • State affiliates
  • Ambassadors
  • Financial info

  • Frequently asked questions
  • Contact
  • For the press
  • Careers
Issues

FEATURED

Abortion

Immigrants' Rights

Racial Justice

Transgender Rights

Voting Rights


DEMOCRACY

  • Free Speech
  • Human Rights
  • Immigrants' Rights
  • National Security
  • Privacy & Technology
  • Voting Rights

JUSTICE

  • Capital Punishment
  • Criminal Law Reform
  • Juvenile Justice
  • Prisoners' Rights
  • Racial Justice
  • Smart Justice

LIBERTY

  • Disability Rights
  • HIV
  • LGBTQ Rights
  • Religious Liberty
  • Reproductive Freedom
  • Women's Rights
Our Work
  • Court Battles

    We fight for your freedoms at the state and federal level. Learn the details, status, and stakes of our many court cases.


  • Campaigns & Initiatives

    Our work to expand civil rights and civil liberties through nationwide advocacy and litigation-focused campaigns and initiatives.


  • Know Your Rights

    Do you know your rights? Keep them close at hand with these easy-to-use resources.


  • Publications & Reports

    In-depth resources and analysis on our most pressing civil liberties issues.


  • FOIA Collections

    Documents about government activity that have been obtained by the ACLU to disseminate to the public.

NewsTake ActionShop
Give
  • Donate
  • Give monthly
  • Seen us on TV? Get your shirt!
  • Become a member
  • Renew your membership
  • More ways to give

In The Courts

Share on FacebookPostCopy
Obscenity Laws
Court Type
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • State Supreme Court
  • All cases
Obscenity Laws
  • Capital Punishment
  • Criminal Law Reform
  • Disability Rights
  • Free Speech
  • HIV
  • Human Rights
  • Immigrants' Rights
  • Juvenile Justice
  • Know Your Rights
  • LGBTQ Rights
  • National Security
  • Prisoners' Rights
  • Privacy & Technology
  • Racial Justice
  • Religious Liberty
  • Reproductive Freedom
  • Smart Justice
  • Voting Rights
  • Women's Rights
Location
  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Washington, D.C.
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Search

Search will open in a new tab using DuckDuckGo

Court Cases

Obscenity Laws

An ACLU bookmark sticking out of a book.

Virginia Obscenity Proceedings Against Two Books

On June 22, 2022, our clients—local bookstores Prince Books, Read Books, One More Page Books, and bbgb tales for kids, as well as American Booksellers for Free Expression, Association of American Publishers, Inc., Authors Guild, Inc., American Library Association, Virginia Library Association, and Freedom to Read Foundation—filed motions seeking to dismiss obscenity proceedings against two books, highlighting the unconstitutional nature of the proceedings and noting that the books are not obscene as a matter of law.
Status: Ongoing
View Case Learn About Obscenity Laws

Looks like there aren't any cases here. Try a different filter or go back to all court cases.

Stay informed about our latest work in the courts.

All fields are required unless labeled optional.

By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU's privacy statement.

Support our on-going litigation and work in the courts Donate now
  • Contact us
  • Careers and internships
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Follow the ACLU on Facebook
  • Follow the ACLU on X
  • Follow the ACLU on YouTube
  • Follow the ACLU on Instagram
  • Follow the ACLU on TikTok

© 2025 American Civil Liberties Union

  • User agreement
  • Privacy statement
  • Your data choices
  • Accessibility
  • Contact us
  • Careers and internships
  • Shop
  • Donate