Witters v. Washington Department of Services for the Blind

474 U.S. 481 · Decided January 27, 1986 · Supreme Court of the United States

At a glance

Witters v. Washington Department of Services for the Blind was decided on January 27, 1986 unanimously (9–0). The Court reversed the lower court's decision and remanded the case. Justice Thurgood Marshall wrote the opinion of the Court. SCDB classifies its main issue as “Parochiaid (aid to religious schools)” in the First Amendment area.

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Case details

How the Justices voted

Full case caption

Witters v. Washington Department of Services for the Blind

SCDB identifiers: case 1985-030, docket 1985-030-01.

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Other cases on “Parochiaid (aid to religious schools)”

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Cases on the same legal provision: First Amendment (establishment of religion)

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  465 U.S. 668Decided March 5, 19845–4Warren E. Burger
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Same Term, same area (First Amendment)

• Pacific Gas & Electric Co. v. Public Utilities Commission of CaliforniaLaw held unconstitutional
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• Goldman v. Weinberger
  475 U.S. 503Decided March 25, 19865–4William H. Rehnquist
• Bender v. Williamsport Area School District
  475 U.S. 534Decided March 25, 19865–4John Paul Stevens
• Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. v. HeppsLaw held unconstitutional
  475 U.S. 767Decided April 21, 19865–4Sandra Day O'Connor
• New York v. P.J. Video, Inc.
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Source: Supreme Court Database, 2026 Release 01 (data file dated September 8, 2026). Imported into CaseTrail November 5, 2026. Coverage: decisions from the 1946 through 2025 Terms. Methodology · Report an error