Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Co.

U.S. Case Law

Legal Definition of Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Co.

118 U.S. 394 (1886), defined corporations as “persons” who are entitled to the same equal protection rights as individuals. While falling short of conferring citizen status on corporate entities, the Court nevertheless declared that such entities are constitutionally guaranteed the right to liberty, property, and due process of the law and for legal purposes may be regarded as persons. The case is viewed historically as marking a Court shift away from issues predominantly involving civil rights and toward those predominantly involving property rights and the doctrines of laissez-faire economics.

Learn More about Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Co.

Dictionary Entries near Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Co.

sanctionable

sane

sanity

Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Co.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

satisfaction

satisfaction piece

Cite this Entry

“Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Co..” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/Santa%20Clara%20County%20v.%20Southern%20Pacific%20Railroad%20Co.. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Comments on Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Co.

What made you want to look up Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Co.? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).