Belton v. Gebhart

Seitz, Chancellor:

The question for decision in both cases here presented is whether the State of Delaware, through its agencies, has violated the plaintiffs’ rights under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Two actions were filed. They were consolidated for trial purposes and are here being decided. Although the plaintiffs sued by guardians ad litem, I shall embrace only the minors when referring to “plaintiffs.”

In the first action the plaintiffs are eight minors who sue on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated. Plaintiffs are…