Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski.
In Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski, former students of Georgia Gwinnett College challenged campus policies that restricted their religious speech, claiming First Amendment violations. The college later changed these policies, leading to a dispute over whether the students could still seek nominal damages. The Supreme Court addressed whether such damages could satisfy the redressability requirement for standing.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski.
The Court held that a request for nominal damages satisfies the redressability element necessary for Article III standing where a plaintiff's claim is based on a completed violation of a legal right.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Free Speech is relevant to Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski
The case involves a challenge to college policies that restricted the petitioners' ability to speak on campus, implicating the First Amendment's protection of free speech.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Both Uzuegbunam and Bradford sued certain college officials charged with enforcement of the college's speech policies, arguing that these policies violated the First Amendment.
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Why Standing is relevant to Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski
The case primarily addresses whether a request for nominal damages can satisfy the redressability requirement for Article III standing.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Held: A request for nominal damages satisfies the redressability element necessary for Article III standing where a plaintiff's claim is based on a completed violation of a legal right.
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Why Free Exercise of Religion is relevant to Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski
The petitioners' actions involved sharing their religious faith, and the case discusses the enforcement of policies against this religious expression.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Petitioners are former students of Georgia Gwinnett College who wished to exercise their religion by sharing their faith on campus while enrolled there.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski that support the summary and concepts above.
A request for nominal damages satisfes the redressability element necessary for Article III standing where a plaintiff's claim is based on a completed violation of a legal right.
Nominal damages can redress Uzuegbunam's injury even if he cannot or chooses not to quantify that harm in economic terms.
