Lochner Vs New York Case Study

Lochner v. New York 198 U.S. 45 (1905)

Syllabus: The Lochner v. New York case is a labor law dispute. In 1897 New York State law passed a labor law stating that employees working in a biscuit, bread, or cake bakery or confectionery establishment could not work more than 60 hours in one week and no more than 10 hours in one day.

Procedural History: The owner of a biscuit, bread establishment was charged with a misdemeanor, second offense for wrongfully and unlawfully requiring his employees to work more than the 60 hours that the court limited employees to work. Because the owner refused to plea further and a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Facts: New York passed a Labor Law in 1897 stating that no one can work more than 60 hours in a week and no more than 10 hours in a day unless to shorten work on the last day of the week which could not average more than 60 hours in a week working in a biscuit, cake bakery, or confectionery establishment.

Issues: The issue on this case is does the due process clause protect of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment protect the liberty and private property against unwarranted government interference.

Rules of Law: No employee working in a biscuit, bread, or cake bakery can work more than 60

The Court ruled that what the owner was doing, was wrong and unlawful to work his employees more than 60 hours in a week. The bakery owner required his employees to sign a contract to work in his bakery, the argument was does the contract that employees signed to work, a violation of due process. It is not against the law to have a contract to work but does the contract violate police power forcing employees to work more than the allowed 60 hours in a