Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser
United States Supreme Court
478 U.S. 675 (1986)
Relevant factsFree
Fraser (plaintiff), a high school senior, gave a speech laced with sexual innuendo to nominate a classmate for student government in front of about 600 students at a mandatory school assembly, provoking a mix of hooting, graphic gestures, and confusion from the crowd. The Bethel School District (defendant) suspended him for three days under its policy against disruptive or offensive conduct. Fraser sued, claiming the suspension violated his First Amendment right to free speech; the district court and court of appeals both ruled for him.
IssueFree
Whether the First Amendment prevents a public school from disciplining a student for delivering a lewd speech at a school assembly.