Legal Opinion
Commonwealth v. Ora
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Decided April 10, 2008PublishedCited by 15 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtCowin, J.
The defendant, Ria Ora, was arrested and charged with open and gross lewdness in violation of G. L. c. 272, § 16, for dancing nude at an “anti-Christmas” protest in the kiosk area of Harvard Square, Cambridge.1 A judge in the District Court allowed the defendant’s motion to dismiss the complaint against her, concluding that G. L. c. 272, § 16, is facially unconstitu*126tional because it is “[a] blanket prohibition against public nudity,” and thus proscribes expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and art. 16 of the Massachusetts Declaration of…
2Cases cited21 opinions
- Broadrick v. OklahomaSupreme Court of the United States · 1973
- United States v. O'BrienSupreme Court of the United States · 1968
- R. A. v. v. City of St. PaulSupreme Court of the United States · 1992
- Parker v. LevySupreme Court of the United States · 1974
- United States Civil Service Commission v. National Ass'n of Letter CarriersSupreme Court of the United States · 1973
16 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by15 opinions
- Showtime Entertainment, LLC v. Town of MendonCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2014
- Commonwealth v. BlackmerMassachusetts Appeals Court · 2010
- Commonwealth v. MaguireMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2017
- Commonwealth v. BotevMassachusetts Appeals Court · 2011
- Commonwealth v. PereiraMassachusetts Appeals Court · 2012
10 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.