Department of Revenue v. James B. Beam Distilling Co.
377 U.S. 341 · Decided June 1, 1964 · Supreme Court of the United States
At a glance
Department of Revenue v. James B. Beam Distilling Co. was decided on June 1, 1964 by a vote of 6–2. The Court affirmed the lower court's decision. Justice Potter Stewart wrote the opinion of the Court. SCDB classifies its main issue as “National supremacy, state tax” in the Federalism area. SCDB records that the Court declared a state or territorial law, regulation or constitutional provision unconstitutional.
Read the opinion
Case details
- Citations
- 377 U.S. 341 · 84 S. Ct. 1247 · 12 L. Ed. 2d 362 · 1964 U.S. LEXIS 1139
- Docket number
- 389
- Decided
- June 1, 1964
- Argued
- March 23, 1964
- Court era
- Warren Court
- Decision type
- Opinion of the Court (orally argued)
- Disposition
- Affirmed
- Outcome for petitioner
- The petitioning party did not receive a favorable disposition
- Vote
- 6–2
- Majority opinion
- Potter Stewart
- Opinion assigned by
- Earl Warren
- How the case arrived
- Certiorari
- Issue (SCDB)
- National supremacy, state tax
- Issue area
- Federalism
- Legal provision
- Article I, Section 10, Paragraph 2 (export-import clause)
- Type of law
- Constitution
- Held unconstitutional
- A state or territorial law, regulation or constitutional provision
- Decision direction (SCDB)
- Liberal what this means
How the Justices voted
| Justice | Vote | Separate writing |
|---|---|---|
| Justice Hugo L. Black | Dissent | Wrote an opinion |
| Justice William O. Douglas | Majority | |
| Justice Tom C. Clark | Majority | |
| Chief Justice Earl Warren | Majority | |
| Justice John M. Harlan II | Majority | |
| Justice Potter Stewart | Majority | Wrote an opinion |
| Justice Byron R. White | Majority | |
| Justice Arthur J. Goldberg | Dissent |
Did not participate: William J. Brennan Jr..
Full case caption
Department of Revenue v. James B. Beam Distilling Co.
SCDB identifiers: case 1963-127, docket 1963-127-01.
Related decisions
Other cases on “National supremacy, state tax”
- Humble Pipe Line Co. v. Waggonner
- Michigan National Bank v. Michigan
- Pekao Trading Corp. v. Bragalini
- Phillips Chemical Co. v. Dumas Independent School DistrictLaw held unconstitutional
- Sullivan v. United States
- United States v. State Tax Commission of Mississippi
Cases on the same legal provision: Article I, Section 10, Paragraph 2 (export-import clause)
- Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Bowers
- Kosydar v. National Cash Register Co.
- Michelin Tire Corp. v. WagesAltered precedent
- Canton Railroad Co. v. Rogan
- Western Maryland Railway Co. v. Rogan
- Joy Oil Co., Ltd. v. State Tax Commission
Same Term, same area (Federalism)
- Retail Clerks International Association v. Schermerhorn
- Liner v. Jafco, Inc.
- Yiatchos v. Yiatchos
- Humble Pipe Line Co. v. Waggonner
- Hattiesburg Building & Trades Council v. Broome
- Local 20 v. Morton
Source: Supreme Court Database, 2026 Release 01 (data file dated September 8, 2026). Imported into CaseTrail November 5, 2026. Coverage: decisions from the 1946 through 2025 Terms. Methodology · Report an error