In the Lovell v. City of Griffin case in 1937, the U.S Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a city ordinance requiring individuals to obtain permission from the city manager before distributing literature violated First Amendment rights. The appellant, Alma Lovell, was convicted for violating this ordinance when she distributed religious pamphlets without prior approval. She appealed her conviction on grounds that it infringed upon her freedom of speech and press as protected by the Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment. The court agreed with Lovell’s argument stating that such an ordinance was unconstitutional because it allowed unchecked censorship power to one individual (the city manager) and restricted free expression indiscriminately rather than targeting specific abuses like libel or obscenity.

In the Lovell v. City of Griffin case, there was no dissenting opinion recorded as the Supreme Court decision was unanimous. The court unanimously held that a city ordinance requiring permits for distributing literature violated First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and press. They ruled in favor of Alma Lovell who had been convicted by the city for distributing religious pamphlets without permission from the City Manager, stating that her conviction infringed upon her constitutional rights.