About

Connecticut was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in 1965 that dealt with the constitutionality of a Connecticut law that criminalized the use of contraceptives, even among married couples. The case was brought by Estelle Griswold, the executive director of the Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut, and Dr. C. Lee Buxton, a physician who provided contraception counseling to married couples. They were convicted under the law and challenged its constitutionality. In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court declared the Connecticut law to be unconstitutional, ruling that it violated a "right to marital privacy" found in the "penumbras" or implied rights of the First, Third, Fourth, and Ninth Amendments. The Court argued that the right to privacy extended to a married couple's decision to use contraception and that the state had no legitimate interest in interfering with such personal matters. The case was significant in expanding the constitutional right to privacy and establishing a precedent for future decisions. It laid the foundation for later cases such as Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion, and Lawrence v. Texas, which struck down laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual activity. The Griswold decision received both praise and criticism. Supporters hailed it as a victory for individual autonomy and reproductive rights, while opponents argued that the Court had overstepped its bounds and invented a right that was not explicitly outlined in the Constitution. Overall, Griswold v. Connecticut marked a turning point in constitutional law regarding privacy rights and had lasting implications for future cases addressing personal liberties.