Novato Student Had Free-Speech Right to Blast Illegal Immigration, Court Rules

Contact: Paul J. Beard II
Attorney
Pacific Legal Foundation
(916) 419-7111

Sharon L. Browne
Principal Attorney
Pacific Legal Foundation
(916) 419-7111

Ray Young
Halldin Public Relations
ray@halldinpr.com
(916) 781-0659

SAN FRANCISCO, California; May 22, 2007: Novato High School officials violated the free-speech rights of student Andrew Smith by condemning an opinion article he wrote in the student newspaper opposing illegal immigration, according to an appellate court ruling issued this week. The California First District Court of Appeal held that California law “mandates that a school may not prohibit student speech simply because it presents controversial ideas and opponents of the speech are likely to cause disruption.â€