Peterson v. City of Greenville, 373 U.S. 244 (1963)
The case of Peterson v. City of Greenville is a pivotal decision in the development of constitutional law concerning racial segregation in public accommodations.
Does a local ordinance mandating racial segregation in public accommodations violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment when such segregation results in the conviction of individuals for trespassing?
State-enforced racial segregation in public accommodations violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment as articulated in prior Supreme Court precedents that prohibit state support of racial discrimination.
The Supreme Court held that the Greenville city ordinance enforcing segregation in public accommodations was unconstitutional as it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Peterson v. City of Greenville is significant for law students as it underscores the robust nature of the Equal Protection Clause in striking down state-supported racial discrimination. The case demonstrates the judiciary’s role in dismantling the legal framework of the Jim Crow era, reinforcing the Court’s position as a protector of minority rights under the Constitution. This case serves as a model for how local laws must be scrutinized under federal constitutional standards, especially concerning equal protection.