State v. Grover
Minnesota Supreme Court
437 N.W.2d 60 (1989)
- Written by Liz Nakamura, JD
Facts
Curtis Grover (defendant) was an elementary school principal. On four occasions between 1984 and 1986, Curtis received reports from various parents that their child had been physically assaulted or inappropriately touched by one particular teacher at the school. Despite being a mandated reporter, Curtis failed to report any of the incidents to law enforcement or children’s services. In 1987, the local police department received two reports alleging that the same teacher sexually abused students. During the police investigation, officers discovered that Grover had failed to report the abuse allegations he had received from parents between 1984 and 1986. The State of Minnesota (plaintiff) charged Grover under Minnesota’s mandated-reporter statute with failing to report child abuse, a misdemeanor. Grover moved to dismiss, arguing that the mandated-reporter statute was (1) vague and overbroad; and (2) impinged on his right to free speech by forcing him to report abuse allegations even if he did not personally believe the allegations were true. The trial court granted Grover’s motion to dismiss. Minnesota appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Coyne, J.)
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