Smith, 430 U.S. 817 (1977) No. 75-915 Argued November 1, 1976 Decided April 27, 1977 430 U.S. 817 CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT Syllabus The fundamental constitutional right of access to the courts held to require prison authorities to assist inmates in the preparation and filing of meaningful legal pape...

In consolidated cases, the plaintiffs alleged that the state of North Carolina failed to provide its prisoners with proper legal facilities. They argued that this violated their right of access to the courts guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

BOUNDS v. SMITH, 430 U.S. 817 (1977) Citation: 430 U.S. 817. Docket No: No. 75-915. Argued: November 01, 1976. Decided: April 27, 1977. Court: United States Supreme Court

Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817 (1977), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court tested the basic constitutional right of prison inmates’ access to legal documents prior to court.

Respondents are inmates incarcerated in correctional facilities of the Division of Prisons of the North Carolina Department of Correction. They filed three separate actions under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, all eventually consolidated in the District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Jun 23, 2006 · Bounds v. Smith, 425 U.S. 910 (1976). On April 27, 1977, the Supreme Court (Justice Thurgood Marshall) affirmed, holding that a prisoner's constitutional right of access to the courts could be protected either with access to law libraries or …

Actions were brought by state prison inmates alleging that a state, by failing to provide them with adequate legal library facilities, was denying them reasonable access to the courts and equal protection as guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

BOUNDS, CORRECTION COMMISSIONER, ET AL. v. SMITH ET AL. No. 75-915. Supreme Court of United States. Argued November 1, 1976. Decided April 27, 1977. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT. Jacob L. Safron, Special Deputy Attorney General of North Carolina, argued the cause for petitioners.

U.S. Reports: Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817 (1977). Names Marshall, Thurgood (Judge) Supreme Court of the United States (Author) Created / Published

bounds v. SMITH The fundamental constitutional right of access to the courts held to require prison authorities to assist inmates in the preparation and filing of meaningful legal papers by providing prisoners with adequate law libraries or adequate …