Hernandez v. Robles, 7 N.Y.3d 338, 855 N.E.2d 1, 821 N.Y.S.2d 770 (N.Y. 2006)
Hernandez v. Robles is a landmark case in New York that addressed the contentious issue of same-sex marriage at a time when the national discussion on marriage equality was gaining momentum.
Does the New York Constitution require the state to allow same-sex marriage under the principles of equal protection and due process?
The New York Constitution's equal protection and due process clauses do not compel the state to recognize same-sex marriages, as the matter is reserved for legislative determination.
The New York Court of Appeals held that the state's current marriage laws did not violate the constitution and that defining marriage was a legislative function and not one necessitated by constitutional mandate.
Hernandez v. Robles is critical for law students because it illustrates the tension between judicial interpretation and legislative action. It demonstrates the court's role in interpreting constitutional provisions and how such interpretations can significantly impact civil rights. This case also highlights the role state constitutions play alongside federal rights, embodying a significant moment in the evolution of marriage equality that predated pivotal national rulings such as Obergefell v. Hodges.