{"ID":53024,"name":"McDonald v. Smith","href":"https:\/\/api.oyez.org\/cases\/1984\/84-476","view_count":0,"docket_number":"84-476","additional_docket_numbers":null,"manner_of_jurisdiction":"Writ of \u003Ci\u003Ecertiorari\u003C\/i\u003E","first_party":"Robert McDonald","second_party":"David I. Smith","timeline":[{"event":"Argued","dates":[480146400],"href":"https:\/\/api.oyez.org\/case_timeline\/case_timeline\/34995"},{"event":"Decided","dates":[488005200],"href":"https:\/\/api.oyez.org\/case_timeline\/case_timeline\/34996"},{"event":"Granted","dates":[470296800],"href":"https:\/\/api.oyez.org\/case_timeline\/case_timeline\/53500"}],"lower_court":{"ID":9,"name":"United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit","href":"https:\/\/api.oyez.org\/taxonomy\/term\/9"},"facts_of_the_case":"\u003Cp\u003EIn July 1981, David Smith sued Robert McDonald in state court.  Smith alleged that, while he was being considered for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, McDonald sent two letters to President Ronald Reagan that contained libelous falsehoods about him. Smith claimed that McDonald knew the accusations in the letters were false and that he mailed the letters with malicious intent to undermine the prospect of Smith\u2019s appointment as U.S. Attorney. Smith\u2019s complaint alleged that the letters had their intended effect\u2014he was not appointed to the position, and he suffered damage to his career and reputation\u2014so he sought compensatory damages.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMcDonald removed the case to the district court on the basis of diverse citizenship and moved for judgment on the pleadings by arguing that the Petition Clause granted him absolute immunity. The district court held that the Petition Clause granted general immunity but not absolute immunity from liability for libel. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed.\u003C\/p\u003E\n","question":"\u003Cp\u003EDoes the Petition Clause of the First Amendment grant absolute immunity to a defendant charged with sending libelous letters to the President of the United States?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n","conclusion":"\u003Cp\u003ENo. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger delivered the opinion of the 8-0 majority. The Supreme Court held that, while the Petition Clause was an important foundation for the ideas of self-government, there is no evidence that the Framers intended it to allow the unchecked expression of false information. Previous cases have also shown that the right to petition is not without limits; baseless litigation is not protected under the Petition Clause. The Court also held that damages may not be recovered without proof that the defendant acted with actual malice.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn his concurring opinion, Justice William J. 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