Season 5 Episode 6: Cussing Cheerleaders and the First Amendment

Class Act: Updates in Education Law

When Brandi Levy shared a profanity-laced snap after failing to make the varsity cheer team, she probably wasn't envisioning the start of a dispute that would ultimately be decided by the United States Supreme Court. But after the school district suspended Brandi from cheer, her parents filed a lawsuit that would culminate in one of the most important free speech decisions of the last several decades. Join Lisa, Elizabeth, and Miriam to discuss off-campus speech and when school districts can discipline students for expression that takes place at home, over the weekend, and away from school grounds. Although First Amendment conflicts are nuanced and fact-specific, we will lay out the general contours of discipline for on and off campus speech and also address how the Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. decision affects the changing landscape of student rights.

Previous seasons of this podcast, including Season One, are available at https://www.walterhav.com/podcasts-index/

We practice law, including special education law, at Walter Haverfield in Cleveland, Ohio, and we welcome your suggestions and comments. Please check us out at:

https://www.walterhav.com/professional/elizabeth-l-bolduc/

https://www.walterhav.com/professional/lisa-h-woloszynek/

https://www.walterhav.com/professional/miriam-m-pearlmutter/