Legal Tug-of-war Over Ten Commandments in Schools Heats Up

A big decision on the plan to require schools to post the 10 Commandments in every classroom in Louisiana. A federal appeals court has vacated a prior ruling that struck down the law and is now asking the full appeals panel to hear the case.
This means the legal battle over this law will continue and there is no final ruling at this time.

History of 10 Commandments Law

HB 71 by State Rep Dodie Horton of Haughton was signed by Governor Jeff Landry on June 19, 2024. This law law mandates that all public elementary, secondary, and postsecondary classrooms must display the Ten Commandments on a poster or framed document by January 1, 2025.

But that action was delayed because of a legal fight.

A multi-faith group of Louisiana families, represented by the ACLU and other civil liberties organizations, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law. They claim this move violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

READ MORE: See Dodie Horton's Reaction to Earlier Court Ruling

A District Court Judge in Baton Rouge blocked the implementation of the law in an injunction in November of 2024. This effectively kept the law from being put in motion.
The judge called the law "unconstitutional on its face," citing the U.S. Supreme Court's 1980 decision in Stone v. Graham, which found a similar Kentucky law unconstitutional.

But this legal fight is not over. The full 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted a request for an en banc rehearing, vacating the three-judge panel's decision. This means the case will be heard by all judges on the appeals court.

What Is Next for the 10 Commandments Case

This legal feud is likely headed for the U.S. Supreme Court. The current makeup of the full 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has a conservative majority and many expect the court to issue a different ruling. This would set the stage for an appeal to the nation’s high court.

Attorney General Liz Murrell says “I’m glad to see the Fifth Circuit is taking this en banc. Looking forward to those arguments in court."