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Keywords

appealtrialdiscriminationappellantappellee
appellantappellee

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Gomez v. Perez, 409 U.S. 535, 93 S.Ct. 872, 35 L.Ed.2d 56

Facts

In 1969, the appellant filed a petition in Texas District Court seeking support from the appellee for her minor child, whom the court found to be the biological father. The trial judge acknowledged the child's need for support but concluded that, due to the child's illegitimacy, there was no legal obligation for the father to provide support. This ruling was affirmed by the Court of Civil Appeals, leading to the appeal.

In 1969, the appellant filed a petition in Texas District Court seeking support from the appellee for her minor child, whom the court found to be the biological father.

Issue

Whether the laws of Texas may constitutionally grant legitimate children a judicially enforceable right to support from their natural fathers while denying that right to illegitimate children.

Whether the laws of Texas may constitutionally grant legitimate children a judicially enforceable right to support from their natural fathers while denying that right to illegitimate children.

Rule

A state may not invidiously discriminate against illegitimate children by denying them substantial benefits accorded to children generally, particularly when a judicially enforceable right to support is established for legitimate children.

A state may not invidiously discriminate against illegitimate children by denying them substantial benefits accorded to children generally, particularly when a judicially enforceable right to support is established for legitimate children.

Analysis

The court applied the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the facts of the case, determining that the Texas law's distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children was unjustifiable. The court noted that once a state recognizes a right to support for children, it cannot constitutionally deny that right based solely on the child's legitimacy status. The court emphasized that such discrimination is illogical and unjust.

The court applied the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the facts of the case, determining that the Texas law's distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children was unjustifiable.

Conclusion

The judgment of the lower court was reversed, and the case was remanded for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court's opinion.

The judgment of the lower court was reversed, and the case was remanded for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court's opinion.

Who won?

The appellant prevailed in the case because the Supreme Court found that the Texas law discriminated against illegitimate children, violating their right to equal protection under the law.

The appellant prevailed in the case because the Supreme Court found that the Texas law discriminated against illegitimate children, violating their right to equal protection under the law.

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