N.Y. Const. art. I, § 8
- Constitution
- Constitution of New York
- Text as of
- October 2026
What does this section say?
Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his or her sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all criminal prosecutions or indictments for libels, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury; and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous is true, and was published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted; and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the fact.
The text is copied from the official source: legislation.nysenate.gov. This is the stored text for research. It is not legal advice; check the official source before you rely on it.