Hunt v. Washington State Apple Advertising Commission
Hunt v. Washington State Apple Advertising Commission, 432 U.S. 333 (1977), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States unanimously struck down a North Carolina law prohibiting the sale of apples in closed containers marked with any apple grade other than the United States Department of Agriculture grade. However, displaying the USDA grade was not required. Washington state, a major apple producer, used apple standards superior to those used by the USDA. The Court found that North Carolina's law violated the Commerce Clause by discriminating against Washington state apple producers while working to the advantage of local North Carolina apple growers.
| Hunt v. Washington State Apple Advertising Commission | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Argued February 22, 1977 Decided June 20, 1977 | |
| Full case name | Hunt, Governor of North Carolina, et al. v. Washington State Apple Advertising Commission |
| Citations | 432 U.S. 333 (more) 97 S. Ct. 2434; 53 L. Ed. 2d 383; 1977 U.S. LEXIS 123 |
| Case history | |
| Prior | Washington State Apple Advertising Comm'n v. Holshouser, 408 F. Supp. 857 (E.D.N.C. 1976) |
| Holding | |
| North Carolina violated the Commerce Clause by discriminating against out-of-state apple growers. | |
| Court membership | |
| |
| Case opinion | |
| Majority | Burger, joined by unanimous court |
| Rehnquist took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. | |
| Laws applied | |
| U.S. Const. art. I § 8 cl. 3 (Commerce Clause) | |
John R. Jordan, Jr., argued the cause for Hunt. With him on the brief were Rufus L. Edmisten, Attorney General of North Carolina, and Millard R. Rich, Jr., Deputy Attorney General. Slade Gorton, Attorney General of Washington, argued the cause for the Washington State Apple Advertising Commission. With him on the brief were Edward B. Mackie, Deputy Attorney General, and James Arneil, Special Assistant Attorney General.
External links
- ^ Text of Hunt v. Washington State Apple Advertising Commission, 432 U.S. 333 (1977) is available from: Cornell CourtListener Google Scholar Justia Library of Congress Oyez (oral argument audio)