Wisconsin v. Yoder

406 U.S. 205 (1972)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

A Wisconsin law requires compulsory school attendance for children under 16 years old. Ds, three practitioners of the Amish religion, were convicted under P's compulsory school attendance law because they declined to send their children, ages 14 and 15, to the public high school. The children had attended public primary school up until eighth grade. The primary school was located near the Amish village and maintained a heavy Amish student population. Ds contend that the atmosphere of the public high school facility, as well as the academic content of high school curriculum, were contrary to their religious tenets and would thereby subject their religion to public scrutiny and even endanger their salvation. Ds were convicted and then claimed that their conviction violated their rights under the First Amendment Free Exercise Clause. The Supreme Court of Wisconsin reversed the conviction. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed.