1. HaroldSowards
CJ 322, Tu/Th 9:30
8/28/15
Lawrence v. Texas
539 U.S. 558 (2003)
1. Facts
Police were dispatchedtothe residencyof JohnGeddesLawrenceandTyrone Garner
regardinga weaponsdisturbance
Theywere arrestedforviolatingTexasPenalCode Ann.Statute 21.06 (a) (2003) for
performinganal
Theywere heldovernightandthenconvictedinfrontof aJustice of Peace at County
Criminal Courtat Law No.10, Harris County,Texas
Theyappeal
TexasCourt of Appealsaffirmthe decisionandcertiorari wasgranted
Supreme CourtoverruledapastdecisioninBowersvHardwickandstatedthat the
Texasstatute that namedhomosexual conductasa crime was therefore
unconstitutional
The judgmentof the Court of Appealsforthe TexasFourteenthDistrictisreversedand
the case isremandedforfurtherproceedings
2. Issue
Were the petitionersfreeasadultstoengage inprivate conductinthe exercise of theirliberty
underthe Due ProcessClause?
Under the Equal ProtectionClause,ismoral disapproval alegitimate state interesttojustifya
statute banninghomosexual sodomy,butnotheterosexual sodomy?
3. Holdings
Yes
No,remanded
4. Reasoning
The Due ProcessClause grantsthe libertyprotectedbythe Constitutiontoallow homosexual
personsthe rightto choose to enteruponrelationshipsinthe confinesof theirhomesandtheir
ownprivate livesandstill certaintheirdignityasfree persons. Nominorswere involved,no
prostitution,nopeopleable togetinjured,howeveritdoesinvolve peopleofferingconsent.
Also,a state isn’tallowedtodiscriminate againstanygroupof persons.
