Cole v. Richardson
United States Supreme Court
405 U.S. 676 (1972)
Relevant factsFree
Richardson (plaintiff), hired as a hospital researcher, refused to sign a state loyalty oath requiring her to swear support for the state and federal constitutions and opposition to the overthrow of the respective governments, believing the oath unconstitutional; she was fired and sued. The district court upheld the oath's support clause but found the opposition clause unconstitutionally vague, and Cole (the hospital superintendent, defendant) sought Supreme Court review.
IssueFree
Whether an affirmative oath of loyalty is unconstitutionally vague when its language cannot be reasonably construed as a deterrent to engaging in constitutionally protected activities.