Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe (2000)

SANTA FE, TEXAS

Some students (Does) sued and said this violated the Establishment Clause.
5.2.12.A

The Does wanted to be anonymous.
Doe is short for John Doe.
They challenged this practice by the establishment clause of the first amendment.

HOW IT GOT TO THE SUPREME COURT

• First it was in the District's Court
• Then it went to the Court of Appeals
• Next it went to the Fifth Circuit
• Lastly it went to the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court holding said that it communicated a government religious endorsement and therefore violates the Establishment Clause.

The court was not persuaded by arguments by the district.

The court thought the voting that the students, did caused political rivalry and that only the majority voice was heard.

The outcome resulted in perceived and real endorsement of religion by the government (so it was declared unconstitutional).
5.3.9.F

It was not a private speech because it's over the school's public address system, by a speaker who represents the students and under supervision of school faculty.