Hunt v. Washington State Apple Advertising Commission
Encyclopedia
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 requiring all importers of apple
s to label their containers with United States Department of Agriculture
grade, and prohibiting the display of state grades. 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 needlessly discriminating against Washington state apple producers while working to the advantage of local North Carolina apple growers.
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.
Case citation
Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past court cases, either in special series of books called reporters or law reports, or in a 'neutral' form which will identify a decision wherever it was reported...
(1977) was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
unanimously struck down a North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
law requiring all importers of apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
s to label their containers with United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
grade, and prohibiting the display of state grades. 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
Commerce Clause
The Commerce Clause is an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution . The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes." Courts and commentators have tended to...
by needlessly discriminating against Washington state apple producers while working to the advantage of local North Carolina apple growers.
John R. Jordan, Jr., argued the cause for Hunt. With him on the brief were Rufus L. Edmisten
Rufus L. Edmisten
Rufus Leigh Edmisten is a former North Carolina Secretary of State, Attorney General, and candidate for Governor in 1984. He is currently a lawyer in private practice....
, Attorney General of North Carolina, and Millard R. Rich, Jr., Deputy Attorney General. Slade Gorton
Slade Gorton
Thomas Slade Gorton III is an American politician. A Republican, he was a U.S. senator from Washington state from 1981 to 1987, and from 1989 to 2001. He held both of the state's Senate seats in his career and was narrowly defeated for reelection twice as an incumbent: in 1986 by Brock Adams, and...
, 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.