Race and Fornication Laws: From Pace v. Alabama to McLaughlin v. Florida
In short
In Pace v. Alabama (January 29, 1883), the Supreme Court upheld an Alabama law punishing interracial adultery or fornication with two to seven years in prison, far more than the ordinary offense. It reasoned both partners received the same penalty. McLaughlin v. Florida (1964) struck down an interracial cohabitation law and rejected Pace's view of equal protection.
What the full article will cover
- What did Alabama's laws say in 1883?
- Why did the Supreme Court uphold the harsher penalty?
- What happened in McLaughlin v. Florida?
- How did these cases lead to Loving v. Virginia?
- What do these cases reveal about fornication laws and race?
Frequently asked questions
- Who were Tony Pace and Mary Cox?
- Was Pace v. Alabama overruled?
- What was Florida's interracial cohabitation statute?
Sources
- law.cornell.edu — https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/106/583
- law.cornell.edu — https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/379/184
General information, not legal or religious advice.