Hopwood v. Texas - The Decision

A three-judge panel of the Fifth U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared the University of Texas Law School admission policy unconstitutional. Later, it awarded Hopwood $6,000 in emotional damages. The appeals court theorized that the severe hardships she underwent since the rejection of her University of Texas application--she gave birth to a second daughter in 1993, who died a day later, was separated from her husband in 1995, and her first daughter died later that year--would have made it quite difficult for her to complete the demanding requirements for a law degree.

The Fifth Circuit's decision, technically, barred Texas universities from using race as a basis for admission or financial aid. The University of Texas appealed the decision to the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court denied the writ of certiorari, or request to review the case.