-
Sued
The boy becomes angered as he is told not to wear the shirt anymore. He feels his first amendment right is violated so he then sues the school -
The shirt
Young boy Guiles wears shirt found inappropriate by school board. Is then told that it is bad and at least cover up the drugs and alcohol portion on the shirt. -
Field trip
Guiles was on the bus for a field trip when he wore the specific shirt. A certain chaperone saw it and thought it was inappropriate. From that the parent reported it to a teacher -
Problem
After a few weeks the boy and the father never listened. From that the boy was given a referral and sent home. When he got home the shirt had duct tape over it labeled censored -
Decision
The court held the t-shirt was protected speech under the first and fourteenth Amendment -
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS VERMONT STUDENT’S FREE SPEECH RIGHTS
Supreme Court upheld the political free speech rights of Guiles. The court puts the case to rest. It was said the young boy received a victory. -
Petition denied
Court denies to hear the school’s petition about the shirt to go back to Supreme Court. likely decided not to hear the case because the Second Circuit’s decision fit neatly within the framework of the “Bong Hits” case.“The denial of certiorari makes sense in light of Morse,” he said. “The shirt in this case was clearly making a political statement and the Supreme Court makes clear that is protected.”
