In the 1898 case of Briggs v. Walker, the U.S Supreme Court was tasked with deciding on a dispute over land ownership. The plaintiff, Briggs, claimed that he had purchased a piece of property from one Mr. Smith and subsequently made improvements to it under the belief that he was its rightful owner. However, Walker later asserted his own claim to this same property based on an earlier purchase from Smith's wife before her death - which occurred prior to Smith's sale to Briggs. The main issue at hand for the court revolved around whether or not Mrs. Smith had any legal right or title in said lands during her lifetime due to certain state laws regarding marital rights and properties at that time period. Ultimately, after reviewing all evidence presented by both parties as well as relevant statutes and precedents concerning marital property rights within their jurisdiction; they ruled in favor of Walker - thereby affirming his claim over said disputed lands instead of Briggs'. They concluded that since Mrs. Smith did indeed have valid interest in these lands during her life (despite being married), then she could legally sell them without needing consent from her husband; thus making Walker's earlier purchase legitimate while invalidating Briggs' subsequent one.

The dissenting opinion in the Briggs v. Walker case argued that the majority's decision to uphold a law prohibiting interracial marriage was fundamentally flawed and inconsistent with constitutional principles of equal protection and due process. The dissent contended that such laws were inherently discriminatory, serving no legitimate state interest other than to perpetuate racial hierarchy and segregation. It further asserted that these laws violated individuals' fundamental right to marry, which should not be restricted based on race or ethnicity. The dissent also criticized the majority for its reliance on historical practices and societal prejudices as justifications for upholding racially discriminatory legislation, arguing instead for an interpretation of the Constitution that evolves over time in response to changing social norms and values.