LAD/Blog #2: John Peter Zenger Trial

1.) Who was Peter Zenger?

Peter Zenger was the printer of the New York Weekly Journal, and a critic of the governor at the time.

2.) What was the controversy over his charges?

Zenger was charged between seditious libel. The judge overseeing the case, among others, intended to imprison Zenger despite the validity of the claims put forward. Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, formulated the claim that what Zenger had been printing was not libelous if truthful. This was a nearly unbeatable defense and ultimately saved Zenger from imprisonment.

3.) What influence did his case have on American governmental traditions?

Hamilton's successful defense of Zenger provided a precedent for and affirmed freedom of the press within the developing nation. This precedent remains in order to enable those to freely criticize government without the fear of punishment.

4.) What is the lasting significance of his trial?

Zenger's case is the precedent for an essential cornerstone of our democracy, freedom of press. This is outlined in the First Amendment.

Peter Zenger

His Trial

A narrative of his trial.

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