Legal Opinion
Irons v. Rhode Island Ethics Commission
Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Decided June 29, 2009No. 2008-335-M.P., 2009-1-M.PPublishedCited by 12 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
OPINION
Justices FLAHERTY, ROBINSON,
and Chief Justice WILLIAMS (ret.) for the Court.
“The purpose of the speech in debate clause is to ensure the Legislature freedom in carrying out its duties.
U * * ⅜
“This freedom ensures the separation of powers among the coordinate branches of government. Further, the fact that the legislators can carry out their duties without being questioned ‘in any other place’ allows the free flow of debate among legislators and the maximization of an effective and open exchange of ideas.” Holmes v. Farmer, 475 A.2d 976, 982 (R.I.1984).
The case before us presents this…
2Cases cited30 opinions
- Mitchell v. ForsythSupreme Court of the United States · 1985
- Ashwander v. Tennessee Valley AuthoritySupreme Court of the United States · 1936
- Connecticut National Bank v. GermainSupreme Court of the United States · 1992
- Tenney v. BrandhoveSupreme Court of the United States · 1951
- Gravel v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1972
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3Cited by12 opinions
- Pierce v. Providence Retirement BoardSupreme Court of Rhode Island · 2011
- DeFontes v. Dell, Inc.Supreme Court of Rhode Island · 2009
- Woonsocket School Committee v. The Honorable Lincoln Chafee in his official capacity as the Governor of the State of Rhode IslandSupreme Court of Rhode Island · 2014
- Lynch v. Rhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementSupreme Court of Rhode Island · 2010
- WMS Gaming, Inc. v. SullivanSupreme Court of Rhode Island · 2010
7 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.