Skip to main content

- What We Do
- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
  If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
  Submit a Case
- Make a difference
- Subscribe to FIRE Updates
  Stay up to date with FIRE's biggest cases and battles for free expression.
  Subscribe
- Take Action
  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
  Protect Free Speech
- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
  Explore Rankings
- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index tracks free speech sentiments in America. It is a quarterly survey component of America's Political Pulse from the Polarization Research Lab.
  Learn More
Colleges
News
Cases
Submit a Case
Newsletter

Table of Contents

The 'Speech Integral to Criminal Conduct' Exception to the First Amendment

Research & Learn

Since 2006, the Supreme Court has been reviving a long- dormant and little-defined First Amendment exception: the exception for “speech integral to criminal conduct."

Criminal wearing black hoodie with crowbar breaking into house (Image via Shutterstock.com)

Share

Share this selection via email