Brief Fact Summary.

Plaintiff was convicted for teaching a child German under a

Nebraska statute that outlawed the teaching of foreign languages to students that had
not
yet
completed
the
eighth
grade.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from creating
legislation that restricts liberty interests when the legislation is not reasonably related to
an acceptable state objective.

Facts. Plaintiff was convicted for teaching a child German under a Nebraska statute
that outlawed the teaching of foreign languages to students that had not yet completed
the eighth grade. The Supreme Court of Nebraska upheld the conviction.
Issue. Does the statute as construed and applied unreasonably infringe on the liberty
guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment?

Held. The statute as applied is unconstitutional because it infringes on the liberty

interests of the plaintiff and fails to reasonably relate to any end within the competency
of
the
state.
The Fourteenth Amendment encompasses more than merely the freedom from bodily
restraint. The state argues that the purpose of the statute is to encourage the English
language to be the native tongue of all children raised in the state. Nonetheless, the
protection of the Constitution extends to those who speak other languages. Education is
a fundamental liberty interest that must be protected, and mere knowledge of the
German language cannot be reasonably regarded as harmful.

Discussion. Liberty interests may not be interfered with by the states when the
interference is arbitrary and not reasonably related to a purpose which the state may
permi