Which legal case involved the Supreme Court's decision on a state's authority to ban the use of contraceptives?

The case of Griswold v. Connecticut is significant because it marked a pivotal moment in the Supreme Court's interpretation of the right to privacy in relation to personal choice and family planning. In this 1965 decision, the Court struck down a Connecticut law that prohibited the use of contraceptives, even by married couples. The ruling was based on the assertion that the law violated the right to marital privacy, which the Court found to be implied within the “penumbras” or shadows of several amendments in the Bill of Rights, including the First, Third, Fourth, and Ninth Amendments.

This case established a precedent that not only recognized the reproductive rights of individuals but also highlighted the limitations of state power when it comes to personal privacy in marital relationships. Griswold v. Connecticut effectively set the stage for future cases concerning reproductive rights, including Roe v. Wade, and has had a lasting impact on discussions around privacy and governmental authority in personal matters.