Test-case defendant
George Reynolds
1842–1909
1 topic · 2 dated events
Their part in each topic
Utah Polygamy and the Manifesto
Test-case defendant
Secretary to Brigham Young and husband of two wives, Reynolds volunteered as the defendant in an arranged prosecution meant to test the Morrill Act. The Supreme Court's unanimous 1879 ruling against him held that religious belief was protected but religious practice was not, and it remains a foundation of American free-exercise law.
In the timeline
2 events across 1 topics, chronological. Only events this person was actually part of — present at, responsible for, or the subject of — not every event where the name comes up.
Poland Act
Congress gave federal judges jurisdiction over antipolygamy prosecutions in Utah and the power to select jurors, stripping the Mormon-dominated probate courts of criminal jurisdiction. Church leaders then arranged a test case to challenge the Morrill Act.
Reynolds v. United Stateshinge
A unanimous Supreme Court upheld George Reynolds's conviction and the constitutionality of the 1862 act. Chief Justice Waite wrote that laws are made for the government of actions, and while they cannot interfere with mere religious belief and opinions, they may with practices.
Appears alongside
People who share the most dated events with George Reynolds.
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