DeFunis v. Odegaard

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DeFunis v. Odegaard
Court U.S. Supreme Court
Citation 416 US 312 (1974)
Date decided April 23, 1974
Appealed from Washington State Supreme Court

Facts

The plaintiff was denied admission to the University of Washington Law School, and he claimed that his denial was based on the University’s affirmative action program.

Issues

Whether the court has the power to decide in cases which will not affect the litigants before them.

Holding

Case dismissed.

Rule

According to the 3rd Article of the Constitution, the court can only hear cases affecting real persons and real controversies, not hypothetical situations.