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No. 22-324October Term 2023Decided Mar 15, 2024

Docket 22-324October Term 2023 (2023–2024)

O'Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier

This case concerns whether public officials violate the First Amendment when they block individuals from their personal social media accounts that are used to communicate with the public about official business.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Mar 15, 2024
Case Accepted
Arguments HeardOct 31, 2023
Decision ReleasedMar 15, 2024
What it's about

This case concerns whether public officials violate the First Amendment when they block individuals from their personal social media accounts that are used to communicate with the public about official business. The Supreme Court vacated the lower court's decision and remanded the case to be reconsidered under the new test established in the related case Lindke v. Freed.

Question presented

Does a public official engage in state action subject to the First Amendment by blocking an individual from the official’s personal social media account, which the official uses to communicate about job-related matters with the public?

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Mar 15, 2024

Area

First Amendment

Timing

Decided March 15, 2024

The Court released its decision 136 days after oral argument on October 31, 2023. The median for cases argued in October is 138 days.

Based on 28 merits cases argued in October since 1995.Argument and decision days