Rankin v. McPherson (1986)
- Docket
- 85-2068
- Decided
- 1986-01-01
Summary
Question: Did the Constable's action infringe upon McPherson's freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment? Conclusion: In a 5-to-4 decision, the Court held that Rankin's interest in discharging McPherson was outweighed by her rights under the First Amendment. The Court held that McPherson's statement, when considered in context, "plainly dealt with a matter of public concern." The Court found that there was no evidence that McPherson's speech interfered with "the efficient functioning of the office" and that her private comment had not discredited the office. The Court also noted that McPherson did not serve a "confidential, policymaking, or public contact" role, diminishing the impact of her speech on the agency's proper functioning.