Lawrence v. Texas
The Background of Lawrence v. Texas (2003)
On September 17th, 1998, two men – John Geddes Lawrence and Tyron Gardner – were arrested in the area of Houston, Texas subsequent to the discovery of law enforcement agents that the two men had been engaged in consensual anal sex; an act that was considered to be illegal within the Texas Penal Code under a statute entitled ‘Homosexual Conduct Law’ – this prohibited sexual conduct between individuals of the same sex. Law enforcement agents arrived to the home of John Lawrence after a neighbor had issued a fallacious complain that an individual within the Lawrence residence was wielding a weapon; upon arrival, the law enforcement agents were made aware that the two men were engaging in sexual activity – they were subsequently arrested
The Case Profile of Lawrence v. Texas
The following is a case profile of the legal trial eponymously titled ‘Lawrence v. Texas’:
Date of the Trial: March 26th, 2003
Legal Classification: Administrative Law; this legal field associated with events and circumstances in which the Federal Government of the United States engages its citizens, including the administration of government programs, the creation of agencies, and the establishment of a legal, regulatory federal standard
Accused Criminal Activity: The following criminal activity and charges were cited by John Geddes Lawrence and Tyron Garner against the State of Texas within the appeal brought forth subsequent to the initial ruling:
While the nature of the search and seizure of the two individuals was never made mention within the subsequent case of Lawrence v. Texas, both Lawrence and Gardner maintained that the Homosexual Conduct Laws were direct violations of both men’s 14th Amendment Rights
United States Reports Case Number: 539 U.S. 558
Date of the Delivery of the Verdict: June 26th, 2003
Legal Venue of Lawrence v. Texas: The Supreme Court of the United States
Judicial Officer Responsible for Ruling: Chief Justice William Rehnquist
Involved Parties: The following are the parties named with regard to their involvement in the Lawrence v. Texas case:
John Geddes Lawrence and Tyron Gardner; Plaintiff(s) - Lawrence v. Texas
The State of Texas; Defendant - Lawrence v. Texas
Verdict Delivered: The Supreme Court ruled that the ‘Homosexual Conduct Laws’ were indeed a violation of the 14th Amendment with regard to the provision of equality within statutory legislation regardless of race, gender, creed, ethnicity, and sexual orientation
Associated Legislation with regard to Lawrence v. Texas: The following statutory regulations were employed with regard to the Lawrence v. Texas trial:
The expressed restriction stated within Chapter 21, Section 21.06 of the Texas Penal Code states that any nature of oral or anal sexual intercourse undertaken between two individuals of the same sex is considered to be illegal; this was also referred to as the ‘Homosexual Conduct Law’
The 14th Amendment illustrates legislation that disallows the government from infringing on the right(s) to pursue ‘Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness’ with regard to any and all citizens of the United States of America – this statute is applicable to all measures of gender, race, religion, and age
Due process is defined as the government’s obligation to respect, maintain, and uphold the legal rights of its citizen in the event of an arrest; the government must retain an individual’s human rights and liberties – this includes fair, respectful, and ethical treatment devoid of undue violence and harm Contact Texas lawyers for legal advice and assistance.
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