WHAT
What happened during the student council speech at Bethel High School?
Matthew Fraser presented a speech nominating a fellow student for elective office. His speech included sexual metaphors that some deemed inappropriate.
What school was involved?
Bethel High School, Peters County, Washington
In which court did Fraser originally bring the case?
Federal District Court
What was the Supreme Court final decision?
7-2 decision, in favor of Bethel
How did the case change how school districts handle inappropriate language?
School districts now have the authority to punish students who use vulgar language, giving schools across the country control over students' language.
How many people heard the speech?
600 classmates
Who did the Supreme Court rule in favor of?
The Bethel School District
Who did the court rule in favor of?
Fraser
What was the majority's opinion?
The majority opinion was that it made students uncomfortable through obscene speech, which was not appropriate for the time and place.
How did the case of Bethel v Fraser change the First Amendment?
The Bethel V Fraser case established an exception to the First Amendment which states that obscenity is not preserved by the First Amendment.
What was Matthew's punishment after he made the speech?
A suspension
Who originally brought this case to court?
Matthew Fraser
Was the case appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States?
Yes, by the Bethel School district.
What was the minority opinion?
They didn’t believe the obscenity of the speech was great enough to make students feel uncomfortable and disrupt learning.
How has the case impacted students?
The case has put restrictions on what students can say in school. This restrict students from speaking freely while in school.