Wisconsin v. Yoder

1972

Venue: SCOTUS

Facts: The Old Amish don't want their kids to go to the consolidated school past eighth grade, but WI has compulsory attendance.

Posture: Dunno.

Issue: Does this interfere with their free exercise?

Holding: Yes.

Rule: Free exercise trumps the states interest in universal compulsory education.

Reasoning: This blatantly interferes with their religious traditions.

And the Amish are kind of an exceptional case: law-abiding, productive, and withdrawn from society.


Dicta: