Supreme Court Wrapup
Resources:
Morse v. Frederick (2007)
'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' case limits student rights
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/06/25/free.speech/index.html
- Why was Joseph Frederick suspended?
For unfurling a banner reading “Bong hits for Jesus” at a school-sponsored event.
- Why did the Court rule that Joseph Frederick’s banner was not protected speech?
Because it was reasonable to conclude that the banner promoted illegal drug use. The principal had a responsibility to remove it.
Federal Election Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life (2007)
‘Court allows issue ads near elections’
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/06/25/justices_loosens_limits_on_campaign_ads/
- How did the Court rule in this case?
The Court eased legal barriers aimed at corporate- and union-financed television ads in the days prior to an election.
- What was the Court’s reasoning for its ruling?
The First Amendment’s protection of free speech rights takes precedence over government restrictions on political advertising.
Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. (2007)
‘Court: taxpayers can't sue on faith-based plan’
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3313605
- Why did a group of taxpayers challenge President George W. Bush's “faith-based” initiatives program?
They argued that the government had violated the Constitution by organizing national and regional conferences at which religious groups received favored treatment over secular groups.
- How did the Court rule in this case?
Taxpayers cannot challenge the use of government money to support social programs administered by religious organizations. The ruling only addressed whether taxpayers have standing to bring these challenges, and did not address the question of whether the program violated the First Amendment.
Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Assn. v. Brentwood Academy (2007)
‘Supreme Court upholds limits on high school recruiting’
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-scotus22jun22,1,5665168.story?coll=la-headlines-nation
- How did the Court rule in this case?
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday that restrictions on recruiting middle-school athletes do not infringe upon coaches’ right to free speech.
- What was the Court’s reasoning?
The justices said the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech does not shield coaches who ignore the rules of fair competition by contacting students and encouraging them to enroll in their school.
Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School Dist. No. 1 (2007)
“Supreme Court Strikes at Affirmative Action”
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Politics/story?id=3195825&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
- What kind of public school admissions program did the Court strike down in this case?
A program that assigned students to schools based partly on the color of their skin.
- What was the Court’s reasoning?
The majority of justices believed the schools had failed to justify discriminating among individual students on the basis of race.
Extensions
Have students review and discuss past eLessons on some of these Supreme Court cases:
- “Racial Integration and Public Schools”
- “New Year, New Cases”
