Course: Introduction
Johnson v. Avery (1969) was a landmark SCOTUS decision that articulated the right of access to the courts.
Johnson v. Avery was a landmark United States Supreme Court decision in 1969 that established the right of access to the courts for prison inmates. The case involved a Tennessee inmate, Buford Johnson, who had filed a lawsuit against the state’s prison officials, alleging that they had interfered with his efforts to assist other inmates with legal matters.
The Court’s ruling in Johnson v. Avery established that inmates have a constitutional right to assist each other with legal matters, even if they are not licensed attorneys. The Court held that “lawful assistance” from fellow inmates was essential to ensure that inmates had access to the courts and that prison officials could not interfere with this right.
The Court’s decision in Johnson v. Avery was based on several factors. First, the Court observed that the right of access to the courts was a fundamental constitutional right that applied to all citizens, including prison inmates. Second, the Court noted that inmates faced unique challenges in accessing the courts, including limited access to legal resources and restricted communication with attorneys and other legal experts. Third, the Court recognized that fellow inmates often had the most direct and practical knowledge of the legal system and could provide valuable assistance to other inmates.
The Court’s ruling in Johnson v. Avery had significant implications for the rights of inmates in the United States. The decision established that inmates have a constitutional right to assist each other with legal matters and that prison officials cannot interfere with this right. The decision also recognized the importance of ensuring that inmates have access to the courts and the unique challenges that inmates face in exercising this right.
Since the ruling, there have been numerous lawsuits brought by inmates alleging that their right to access to the courts has been violated. Many prisons have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure that inmates have access to legal resources and can assist each other with legal matters. However, there are still ongoing concerns about the quality and availability of legal resources in prisons and the extent to which inmates are able to exercise their right of access to the courts.
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Last Modified: 04/23/2023