Supreme Court of the United States

Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe

June 19, 2000530 U.S. 290

Summary

Chief Justice Rehnquist dissents, arguing the majority distorts precedent by invalidating the school district’s student-message program on its face under the Establishment Clause before implementation. He asserts the policy permits private student speech, has plausible secular purposes, and should not be struck down without evidence of unconstitutional application. Justice Scalia and Justice Thomas joined this dissent.