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Bowers v. Hardwick 478 U.S. 186

Bowers v. Hardwick 478 U.S. 186

478 U.S. 186 | 1986-06-30

478 U.S. 186

Bowers v. Hardwick (No. 85-140)

Argued: March 31, 1986

Decided: June 30, 1986

760 F.2d 1202, reversed.
 
Opinion

WHITE, J., Opinion of the Court

JUSTICE WHITE delivered the opinion of the Court.

In August, 1982, respondent Hardwick (hereafter respondent) was charged with violating the Georgia statute criminalizing [p188] sodomy [n1] by committing that act with another adult male in the bedroom of respondent's home. After a preliminary hearing, the District Attorney decided not to present the matter to the grand jury unless further evidence developed.

Respondent then brought suit in the Federal District Court, challenging the...