The Oyez Project Virtual Tour of the Supreme Court Building

Abstract

Argument: April 11-14, 1955
Decision: Tuesday, May 31, 1955
Issues: Civil Rights, Desegregation, Schools
Categories: discrimination, education, federalism, race, race discrimination, segregation

Advocates

Not available

Facts of the Case

After its decision in Brown I which declared racial discrimination in public education unconstitutional, the Court convened to issue the directives which would help to implement its newly announced Constitutional principle. Given the embedded nature of racial discrimination in public schools and the diverse circumstances under which it had been practiced, the Court requested further argument on the issue of relief.

Question

What means should be used to implement the principles announced in Brown I?

Conclusion

The Court held that the problems identified in Brown I required varied local solutions. Chief Justice Warren conferred much responsibility on local school authorities and the courts which originally heard school segregation cases. They were to implement the principles which the Supreme Court embraced in its first Brown decision. Warren urged localities to act on the new principles promptly and to move toward full compliance with them "with all deliberate speed."

Supreme Court Justice Opinions and Votes (by Seniority)

Sort by Ideology
(More information here)
Decision: 9 votes for Brown, 0 vote(s) against
Legal Provision: Equal Protection
Wrote the majority opinion
Warren
Voted with the majority
Black
Voted with the majority
Reed
Voted with the majority
Frankfurter
Voted with the majority
Douglas
Voted with the majority
Burton
Voted with the majority
Clark
Voted with the majority
Minton
Voted with the majority
Harlan
Full Opinion by Chief Justice Earl Warren

Cite this page

The Oyez Project, Brown v. Board of Education (II), 349 U.S. 294 (1955),
available at: <http://www.oyez.org/cases/1950-1959/1954/1954_1/>
(last visited ).