Legal Definitions - contemporary community standards

Definition: Contemporary community standards refer to the measure by which a fact-finder determines whether material is obscene or not. This is based on its patent offensiveness and prurience in a particular locale at a given time.

For instance, if a book or movie contains explicit sexual content, a court may use contemporary community standards to determine whether it is obscene or not. This means that the court will consider whether the material is offensive and prurient based on the standards of the community where the material was distributed.

For example, if a movie with explicit sexual content is shown in a conservative community, it may be considered obscene based on contemporary community standards. However, the same movie may not be considered obscene in a more liberal community.

Contemporary community standards are used to ensure that material that is considered obscene in one community is not necessarily considered obscene in another. This allows for a more nuanced approach to determining obscenity and protects freedom of speech and expression.