Us V. Morrison Case Study

United States v. Morrison
529 U.S. 598(2000)

Facts
A case concerning the authority of Congress to enact legislation under the Commerce Clause. While a student enrolled at Virginia Tech in 1994, Christy Brozonkala alleged that she was assaulted and raped by fellow students and football players Antonio Morrison and James Crawford. In 1995, Brzonkala filed a complaint against Morrison and Crawford under Virginia Tech's Sexual Assault Policy. After a hearing, Morrison was found guilty of sexual assault and sentenced to immediate suspension for two semesters. The Committee found insufficient evidence against Crawford. After the findings from the first hearing were dismissed for administrative reasons, a second hearing was held, and Morrison was found guilty of “using “abusive language.” Morrison appealed the decision to the provost and the punishment was set aside for being
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Brzonkala then filed suit in federal district court against, Morrison, Crawford, and Virginia Tech under 42 U.S.C. §13981, the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which provides a civil remedy for victims of gender-motivated violence. The district court held that Congress lacked the authority to pass this provision under either the Commerce Clause or the Fourteenth Amendment. Brzonkala appealed the ruling and the court of Appeals affirmed the decision. The United States then joined in the suit to defend the validity of the statue. The Supreme Court granted review because the court of appeals had invalided a federal statue. The United States argued that the statue is an appropriate exercise of Congress’ power under the commerce clause a violence burdens the national economy and interstate commerce by making women far for their safety and Congress’ commerce power is not limited to intrastate activities that are “commercial or “economic” nature. Morrison argued that Congress cannot regulate felonious conduct under is commerce power because