Staley v. Harris County
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
461 F.3d 504 (2006)
- Written by Alex Ruskell, JD
Facts
In 1953, a Christian charity decided to build a monument in honor of one of its benefactors. Although the charity paid for the monument, it was installed right outside the Harris County (defendant) courthouse. Along with the benefactor’s name, there was a glass case on the top of the monument where an open Bible sat for many years. Eventually, the monument fell into disrepair, the Bible was stolen, and the top was used as a trashcan. A newly elected judge who campaigned on a platform of putting Christianity into the government had the monument refurbished with a new Bible, lights, and a large dedication ceremony. Staley (plaintiff), a lawyer who had to walk by the monument every day, sued. Staley argued that the monument violated the Establishment Clause by endorsing the Christian faith. The court ruled in Staley’s favor, and Harris County appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Jolly, J.)
Dissent (Smith, J.)
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