Connick v. Myers (1982)
- Docket
- 81-1251
- Decided
- 1982-01-01
Summary
Question: Is the questionnaire that Meyers distributed constitutionally-protected speech? Conclusion: No. In a 5-4 decision, Justice Byron R. White wrote the majority opinion reversing the lower court. The Supreme Court held that speech of public employees is generally only protected when they speak on matters of public concern. Meyers’ speech only dealt with personal and internal office issues. The district court also erred in placing too high of a burden on Connick to show that Meyers’ speech substantially interfered with the operation of the office. It is sufficient to show that the employer reasonably believed Meyers’ speech would interfere with office operations. Justice William J. Brennan wrote a dissent, expressing his view that speech concerning the way government is run is protected under the First Amendment. Meyers’ questionnaire addressed that subject and interfered with the operation of the office, so her termination violated the First Amendment. Justices Thurgood Marshall, Harry A. Blackmun, and John Paul Stevens joined in the dissent.