Five-Part Test for Obscenity

The Five-Part Test for Obscenity is a legal guideline used to determine whether material is considered legally obscene. It evaluates: (1) whether the average person, applying community standards, finds that the material appeals to unhealthy or lustful interests; (2) whether the material depicts sexual conduct in an offensive way according to community norms; (3) whether the material lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value; (4) whether it violates laws defining obscenity; and (5) whether it as a whole is considered offensive and inappropriate by community standards. If most parts are met, the material can be classified as obscene.