501 U.S. 560 (1991)
Barnes v. Glen Theatre, Inc.
Does a state law prohibiting public nudity violate the First Amendment's protection of freedom of expression when applied to nude dancing in adult entertainment establishments?
The First Amendment protects expressive conduct. However, the government can regulate conduct with expressive elements if the regulation furthers an important government interest, is within the government's constitutional power, is unrelated to suppression of free expression, and the incidental restriction on First Amendment freedoms is no greater than essential.
The Supreme Court held that Indiana's public indecency statute did not violate the First Amendment. The law was a permissible regulation of conduct that incidentally impacted expression.
This case is significant for law students as it illustrates the limitations on First Amendment protections regarding expressive conduct, specifically in scenarios involving public morality. Barnes sets a precedent for evaluating state interests against protected speech and serves as a reference point for understanding the boundaries of artistic freedom and societal regulation.