Cert granted in Third Circuit case striking down criminal prohibition on depictions of animal cruelty

The Supreme Court this morning agreed to decide whether 18 U.S.C. 48, which makes it a crime to create, sell, or possess depictions of animal cruelty, is invalid under the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. The en banc Third Circuit had struck down the statute last summer by a vote of 10-3, in U.S. v. Stevens, No. 05-2497 (3d Cir. July 18, 2008). The case will be heard in the October 2009 Term.