Lovejoy v. Murray was a United States Supreme Court case that dealt with the issue of whether or not an individual had the right to be released from their contract if they were being forced into involuntary servitude. The plaintiff, Lovejoy, argued that he should be allowed to break his contract because it violated his constitutional rights as a free man and constituted involuntary servitude. The defendant, Murray, argued that Lovejoy's contractual obligations should remain in place since he voluntarily entered into them and there was no evidence of coercion or duress on her part. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of Lovejoy and held that individuals have the right to terminate contracts when they are being subjected to conditions amounting to involuntary servitude under federal law. This decision established an important precedent for protecting individuals' freedom from slavery-like practices even after entering into voluntary agreements with another party.

In Lovejoy v. Murray, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a state law that prohibited the sale of certain books violated the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and press. The majority opinion held that it did not violate this right because it only regulated commerce in those books, not their publication or circulation. Justice Field dissented from this decision and argued that such laws were unconstitutional as they infringed upon an individual's right to receive information without interference from government authorities. He further noted that these types of laws could be used by governments to suppress unpopular ideas or opinions which would have a chilling effect on free expression and debate in society at large. He concluded his dissent by stating "The power assumed is too great for any court or legislature safely to assume."