Morse V. Frederick

Morse v. Frederick

How was this case decided differently than Tinker v. Des Moines?

In the case of Morse v. Frederick, however, the Court decided in a much different manner. A student in the school held up banner saying “Bong Hits 4 Jesus,” as the Olympic torch went past the school. The banner clearly promoted the use of marijuana. Being that marijuana is illegal and schools try hard to prevent the use of marijuana, the banner caused much controversy. The principal ripped up the banner and suspended the child. The case was taken to the Supreme Court and they ruled in favor of the school, stating that the freedom of speech does not apply to students when the message is in support of illegal drug use. Tinker v. Des Moines, in a way, was overturned.

How did the case affect society?

The case of Morse v. Frederick affected society in a number of ways. As a result of this case, restrictions were set on the civil liberties of children in school. The precedence set by Tinker v. Des Moines in which students have the right to free speech, was altered. Morse v. Frederick made it so that schools can prohibit messages that promote illegal drug use. The First Amendment is no longer absolute when it comes to students. Furthermore, the fact that students no longer have full civil liberties in school makes it so that students must be more careful as to what they say in school. A student can no longer say things that can be interpreted as promoting sex or illegal activities. A child that says such things can be suspended for undermining the efforts of a school to prevent illegal drug use. In addition, children in school can no longer have all the civil liberties provided them in the Constitution.