Document: 478 U.S. 675 106 S.Ct. 3159 92 L.Ed.2d 549 BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 403, et al., Petitionersv.Matthew N. FRASER, a Minor and E.L. Fraser, Guardian Ad Litem. No. 84-1667. Argued March 3, 1986. Decided July 7, Syllabus Respondent public high school student (hereafter respondent) delivered speech nominating fellow for elective office at voluntary assembly that was held during hours as part of school-sponsored educational program in self-government, attended by approximately 600 students, many whom were 14-year-olds. During the entire speech, respondent referred to his candidate terms an elaborate, graphic, explicit sexual metaphor. Some students hooted yelled some mimicked activities alluded others appeared be bewildered embarrassed. Prior delivering discussed it with several teachers, two advised him inappropriate should not given. The morning after assembly, Assistant Principal called into her notified considered have been violation school's "disruptive-conduct rule," which prohibited conduct substantially interfered process, including use obscene, profane language or gestures. given copies teacher reports conduct, chance explain conduct. After he admitted deliberately used innuendo informed would suspended three days, name removed from list candidates graduation speaker commencement exercises. Review disciplinary action through petitioner School District's grievance procedures resulted affirmance discipline, but allowed return serving only days suspension. Respondent, father (also guardian ad litem, then filed suit Federal District Court, alleging First Amendment right freedom seeking injunctive relief damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. court sanctions violated Amendment, disruptive-conduct rule unconstitutionally vague overbroad, removal respondent's speaker's Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. awarded monetary enjoined preventing speaking ceremonies. Court Appeals affirmed. Held: 1. did prevent disciplining giving offensively lewd indecent assembly. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community Dist., 393 503, 89 733, 21 731 distinguished. Under offensive form expression may adults making what considers political point, does follow same latitude must permitted children school. It is highly appropriate function education prohibit vulgar discourse. Nothing Constitution prohibits states insisting certain modes are subject sanctions. inculcation these values truly work school, determination manner properly rests board. jurisprudence recognizes interest protecting minors exposure spoken language, FCC Pacifica Foundation, 438 726, 98 3026, 57 1073, well limitations on otherwise absolute reaching unlimited audience where sexually include children, Ginsberg New York, 390 629, 88 1274, 20 195. Petitioner acted entirely within its permissible authority imposing upon response had no claim protection. Pp. 680-686. 2. There merit contention circumstances suspension due process because way knowing delivery Given need able impose wide range unanticipated disruptive rules detailed criminal code imposes proscribing "obscene" prespeech admonitions teachers gave adequate warning could P. 686. 755 F.2d 1356, reversed. BURGER, C.J., opinion WHITE, POWELL, REHNQUIST, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. BRENNAN, J., concurring judgment, post, p. 687. BLACKMUN, concurred result. MARSHALL, 690, STEVENS, 691 dissenting opinions. William A. Coats, petitioners. Jeffrey T. Haley, respondents. Chief Justice BURGER Court. 1 We granted certiorari decide whether prevents district 2 * 3 On April 26, 1983, Matthew Bethel High Pierce County, Washington, office. Approximately 14-year-olds, Students required attend report study hall. self-government. who elected Fraser 4 Two Fraser's contents advance, "inappropriate probably deliver it," App. 30, might "severe consequences." Id., 61. 5 counselor observed reaction speech. yelled; gestures graphically simulated pointedly Other embarrassed One reported day following she found necessary forgo portion scheduled class lesson order discuss class. 41-44. 6 A prohibiting obscene provides: 7 "Conduct materially interferes prohibited, gestures." 8 this rule. presented five letters submitted describing assembly; having described 9 sought review procedures. hearing officer determined "indecent, lewd, modesty decency faculty attendance assembly." examiner fell ordinary meaning "obscene," rule, affirmed discipline entirety. served suspension, third day. B 10 brought United States Western Washington. alleged both Constitution, makes mention such possible sanction. $278 damages, $12,750 litigation costs attorney's fees, write-in vote classmates, ceremonies June 8, 11 Ninth Circuit judgment 1356 (1985), holding indistinguishable protest armband (1969). explicitly rejected argument unlike passive wearing black armband, effect process. also essentially captive setting sponsored reasoning "unbridled discretion" determine discourse "decent" "increase risk cementing white, middle-class standards determining acceptable proper behavior our schools." F.2d, 1363. Finally, that, incident responsibility curriculum, power control express ideas activity. 12 certiorari, 474 814, 56, 45 (1985). reverse. II 13 This acknowledged supra, do "shed their constitutional rights schoolhouse gate." U.S., 506, S.Ct., 736. read case precluding any That appears proceeded theory make point position. 14 marked distinction between "message" armbands content seems little weight Appeals. In upholding students' engage nondisruptive, viewpoint Tinker, careful note "not concern intrudes schools other students." 508, 737. 15 against background we turn consider level protection accorded utterances actions before official students. III 16 role purpose American system historians, stated: "[P]ublic prepare pupils citizenship Republic. . inculcate habits manners civility themselves conducive happiness indispensable practice self-government community nation." C. Beard & M. Beard, Basic History 228 (1968). Ambach Norwick, 441 68, 76-77, 99 1589, 1594, 60 49 (1979), echoed essence statement objectives "inculcat[ion of] fundamental maintenance democratic system." 17 These "habits civility" essential society must, course, tolerance divergent religious views, even when views expressed unpopular. But "fundamental values" take account consideration sensibilities others, and, undoubted advocate unpopular controversial classrooms balanced society's countervailing teaching boundaries socially behavior. Even most heated requires personal participants audiences. 18 Nation's legislative halls, vigorous debates carried on, there expressions debate. Manual Parliamentary Practice, drafted Thomas Jefferson adopted House Representatives govern proceedings body, "impertinent" debate likewise provides "[n]o person House." Jefferson's Practice §§ 359, 360, reprinted Rules Representatives, H.R.Doc. 97-271, pp. 158-159 (1982); see id., 111, n. (Jefferson's governs all cases applies). Debate applicable Senate provide Senator imputing improper motives another referring state. See Procedure, S.Doc. 97-2, Rule XIX, 568-569, 588-591 (1981). Senators censured abusive directed Senators. Election, Expulsion Censure Cases 1793 1972, 92-7, 95-98 (1972) (Sens. McLaurin Tillman); 152-153 (Sen. McCarthy). Can proscribed halls Congress beyond reach officials regulate? 19 guarantees matters adult sharply divided upheld antidraft place, albeit citizens. Cohen California, 403 15, 91 1780, 29 284 (1971). follow, however, simply Jersey T.L.O., 469 325, 340-342, 105 742-743, 83 720 reaffirmed automatically coextensive settings. As cogently Judge Newman, "the gives classroom wear Tinker's Cohen's jacket." Board Education, Granville Central 607 1043, 1057 (CA2 1979) (opinion result). Surely Indeed, system" disfavor threatening others. "work 737; supra. educating youth confined books, civics class; teach example shared civilized social order. Consciously otherwise, teachers—and indeed older students—demonstrate civil deportment out Inescapably, like parents, they models. schools, instruments state, lessons civil, mature cannot conveyed tolerates indecent, indulged confused boy. 22 pervasive plainly students—indeed person. By glorifying male sexuality, verbal content, acutely insulting teenage girl 77-81. seriously damaging less audience, years old threshold awareness human sexuality. mimicry provoked. 23 Court's has children. 195 (1968), York statute banning sale oriented material minors, though question entitled respect adults. And addressing places limit remove books library, Members divided, board vulgar. Education Pico, 457 853, 871-872, 102 2799, 2814-2815, 73 435 (1982) (plurality opinion); 879-881, 2814-2815 (BLACKMUN, judgment); 918-920, 2834-2835 (REHNQUIST, dissenting). recognize obvious authorities acting loco parentis, protect children—especially audience—from explicit, 24 recognized language. 1073 (1978), dealt Communications Commission regulate radio broadcast "indecent obscene." reviewed administrative condemnation self-styled "humorist" own performance being words you couldn't say public, ah, airwaves, um, ones definitely wouldn't ever." 729, 3030; 751-755, 3041-3043 (Appendix Court). concluded "certain depicted excretory activitites patently manner, [and] noted 'were time undoubtedly audience.' " issued declaring station guilty broadcasting 1464. 732, 3031. set aside Commission's determination, reversed, reinstating citation station. "obscene, profane" statute. plurality went reject station's assertion vulgarity: 25 "These offend reasons obscenity offends. Their place hierarchy aptly sketched Mr. Murphy said: '[S]uch exposition ideas, slight value step truth benefit derived them clearly outweighed morality.' Chaplinsky Hampshire, 315 [568], 572 [62 766, 769, 86 L.Ed. 1031 (1942)]." 746, 3039. 26 hold Unlike imposed penalties unrelated viewpoint. permit undermine basic mission. monologue towards unsuspecting Accordingly, perfectly disassociate itself wholly inconsistent education. Black, made especially relevant case: 27 "I wish therefore, disclaim compels surrender 526, 746. IV 28 contends without merit. "maintaining security degree flexibility procedures, respected preserving informality student-teacher relationship." 340, 742. Cf. Arnett Kennedy, 416 134, 161, 94 1633, 1647-1648, 40 (1974) concurring). days' rise penal sanction calling full panoply procedural protections prosecution. Goss Lopez, 419 565, 95 725 (1975). sanctions.* 30 Reversed. 31 BLACKMUN concurs 32 judgment. 33 support government office: 34 'I know man firm—he's firm pants, he's shirt, character firm—but all, belief you, Bethel, firm. 35 'Jeff Kuhlman takes pounds in. If necessary, he'll issue nail wall. He doesn't attack things spurts—he drives hard, pushing until finally—he succeeds. 36 will go very end—even climax, each every one you. 37 'So Jeff A.S.B. vice-president—he'll never come best can be.' 47. 38 remarks "vulgar," "lewd," "offensively lewd," concludes punished uttering Having text remarks, I find difficult believe describes. To my mind, said about speech—and said—is light discretion how effective discourse, disruption activities, unconstitutional conclude, case, exceeded limits. Thus, while concur write separately understanding breadth holding. 39 today reaffirms unimpeachable proposition 'shed gate.' Ante, 680 (quoting 736, (1969)). outside environment, penalized inappropriate, (1971); suggest otherwise.1 Moreover, despite characterizations, far narrow protected 635, 1278, (1968); Roth States, 354 476, 485, 77 1304, 1309, 1498 (1957). true, State interests avoiding activities. holds circumstances, reprimanded conclude disrupted mission.2 Respondent's different legitimate maintaining weighty. present ensure proceed orderly manner. suggestion attempted disagreed express. Nor involve attempt ban written materials "inappropriate" cf. 4935 (1982), hear, read, learn about. concerns restrict student's 41 limitless. (Newman, result) ("[S]chool [not] limitless apply notions indecency. Courts insure robust rhetoric. suppressed prudish failures distinguish vulgar"). violate disciplined assembly.3 reversing decision dissenting. 43 agree principles BRENNAN sets dissent decision, view failed demonstrate disruptive. conscientiously applied (1969), demonstrated administration forms mission; nevertheless, involved, unquestioningly accept teacher's administrator's pure Here District, clear opportunity so, bring evidence sufficient convince either lower courts therefore reason disturb Appeals' 44 "Frankly, dear, don't give damn." 46 When student, those forum shocked Nation. Today Clark Gable's four-letter expletive than then. Nevertheless, assume administrators word discussion extracurricular premises. For style carrying mission.1 seem me, if using fair notice scope prohibition consequences violation. free procedure combine require conclusion. 47 outstanding young fine academic record. fact chosen body speak exercises demonstrates peers. reasons. confirms conclusion him—a 3-day ineligibility exercises—was sufficiently serious justify invocation 574-575, More importantly, indicates better position composed contemporaries offended word—or metaphor—than group judges least generations 3,000 miles away scene crime.2 48 audience—or honestly believed inoffensive mean it. school—not student—must prescribe institution.3 frankly anticipate punitive consequences. known quite theories: (1) "Disruptive Conduct" published handbook; (2) specifically warned teachers; (3) impropriety so specific required. turn. Disciplinary 50 At imposed, defense lawsuit, took rule: 51 'In addition acts defined above, commission of, participation noncriminal lead action. Generally, disrupt interfere 52 53 'Disruptive Conduct. Conduct gestures.' 1357, (CA9 1985). 54 Based findings show "that process." 1361. explained basis conclusion: 55 "[T]he record now us yields School. While fairly characterized boisterous, hardly McCutcheon, whose testimony relies upon, 'was atypical auditorium assembly.' view, noisy suggestive movements crowd fail interference justifies impinging himself freely. 56 "We significant although four statements assistant principal commenting none suggested See, Finding Fact 8. finding based proved lively topic conversation among day." 1360-1361. record, interpreted Appeals, "conduct" rule.4 stretched encompass nondisruptive What contain metaphor unquestionably listeners impartial judge puts side, understand embraced above-quoted best, ambiguous further explanation construction advise reader handbook forbidden.5 58 Mrs. Irene Hicks told thought "was it." 30. Steven DeHart cause problems raise eyebrows." teacher, Shawn Madden, testify. None 49-50. 59 indicate aware possibility provoke adverse reaction, teachers' responses certainly likelihood itself. opinion, obviously intelligent presumed realized Obvious Impropriety Sutherland taught "nuisance merely thing wrong place,—like pig parlor instead barnyard." Euclid Ambler Realty Co., 272 365, 388, 114, 118, 71 303 (1926). Vulgar animals, contexts intolerable 750, 3041, (1978). ordinary, unacceptable Schenck 249 47, 52, 247, 249, 63 470 (1919); Pacifica, 744-745, 3038. 61 formal hand, locker room perhaps corridor regarded rather routine comment. consisted almost people conversed daily basis, we—at distance—confidently assert punish it? 62 reasons, think not. First, unlikely decided result disqualification address. Second, strong presumption favor whenever kind arguable. Third, policy applying contemporary evaluating connotations, defer circuit much evaluate are. affirm Petitioners challenge ruling ballot indicated potential punishment rules. become moot, since ceremony long passed accordance injunction. No award list, loss schooling. course concerning schools. example, notes "[n]othing sanctions." 683. not, prior precedents refer government's generally environment. speculates "insulting" female "seriously damaging" legitimately suppress groups. female, "insulting." unreasonable approach regulated banned more "sexually explicit" bulk programs currently appearing prime television local cinema. disagree younger exercises, eventually graduation. somewhat severe nature transgression, bounds authority. "Because university's resources limited, institution routinely decisions space available proposed obvious, groups requested particular time—one Mickey Mouse cartoons rehearse amateur Hamlet—the reserved application first. why university establish 'compelling state interest' defend facility other. illuminates genius Walt Disney precedence over duplicate adequately covered classroom. Judgments academicians, federal judges, encumbered phrases interest.' Widmar Vincent, 454 263, 278-279, 269, 279, 70 440 (1981) (STEVENS, judgment) (footnotes omitted). "Any history talking World Series knows incorrect 'time, restriction matter speech.' Consolidated Edison Co. Public Service Comm'n N.Y., 447 530, 544-545, 100 2326, 2337, 65 319 (1980) judgment). noted, "is indicating offensive." 1361, today, describes "confused boy," ante, 683, repeatedly characterizes "children," 682, 684. orthodox message similar today's majority treat college Bender Williamsport Area 475 534, 1326, 501 (1986) (dissenting opinions). Arnold Carpenter, 459 939, 944 (CA7 1972) reliance "unanticipated process," 686, misplaced. established "disruptive." Departing normal factual findings, "utterly unproven, subjective impressions hypothetical 553, 1337. concerned expressly general, campaigns debates. contrast, "[i]n debate." 681. needed forewarn equally unambiguous warning. Jefferson, unequivocal language." Specific Warning Teachers

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