Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) was a landmark Supreme Court case that recognized a constitutional right to privacy, particularly in matters of contraception. The case arose when Estelle Griswold, the executive director of the Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut, and Dr. C. Lee Buxton were arrested for providing contraceptive advice and devices to married couples, which was prohibited by Connecticut law. They challenged the law, arguing that it violated the right to privacy implied by the Constitution, as the law interfered with marital intimacy and personal decisions regarding family planning.
In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Griswold, striking down the Connecticut law. The Court held that while the Constitution does not explicitly mention a right to privacy, such a right can be inferred from various provisions, particularly the “penumbras” (or implied rights) created by the Bill of Rights, including the First, Third, Fourth, and Ninth Amendments. Justice William Douglas, writing for the majority, argued that the law violated the “right to marital privacy.” The decision was a significant step in the development of privacy rights in the U.S., laying the foundation for later rulings that expanded the right to privacy in areas such as abortion and same-sex relationships.