Karl Beidler v. Timberline High School

Karl Beidler, was suspended from school for a month in 1999 from Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington, for posting an Internet parody lampooning the school’s assistant principal. The student created the parody on his own computer at home on his own time. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is providing legal representation to the student and his parents.

Karl Beidler, then a 17-year-old junior at Timberline High School, created the Web site parody on January 21, 1999. It included a disclaimer that "…everything on it has been created out of my imagination or someone I know’s imagination" and that "… all pictures are parody pictures …" On January 29 school authorities expelled Karl from Timberline on an "emergency" basis because of his Internet satire. District officials claimed their action was based on an emergency, yet no evidence has been given of anything remotely resembling an emergency. His parents decided to take the Web site off the Internet that night. On February 2 the principal informed Karl and his parents that the student was suspended for the rest of the school year – for "exceptional misconduct." After missing a month of classes, Karl was allowed to enroll in an alternative school in the District. This year he again attended school at Timberline and graduated.

Judgment in favor of plaintiff holding that public school officials cannot punish a student for free speech outside of school.

In his ruling Judge McPhee made clear that free speech rights apply to speech on the Internet, saying, "Today the First Amendment protects students’ speech to the same extent as in 1979 or 1969, when the U.S. Supreme Court decided Tinker v. Des Moines." In that case, the high court issued a landmark ruling that, "Students do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate."

Judge McPhee ordered that a trial be held to determine damages for North Thurston School District’s unlawful imposition of discipline. ACLU cooperating attorney Robert Hedrick is representing the Beidlers.

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is providing legal representation to the student and his parents.

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