Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser

In Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser (1986), the Supreme Court held that school officials did not violate a high school student's free speech and due process rights when he was disciplined for making a lewd and vulgar speech at a school assembly. Bethel is known today for limiting the expression rights of students in school settings. Specifically, Bethel grants school officials the authority to restrict lewd, vulgar, or offensive student speech.

Facts of the Case

In Bethel, Matthew Fraser, a public high school student, gave a nominating speech for a classmate who was running for an office in student government. The speech, which occurred during school hours at an assembly as part of a school-sponsored educational program, was attended by approximately 600 students. During Fraser ...

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