Yoder v. Yost
Case Name:
Yoder v. Yost
Case Status: Ongoing
Court: Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, Kenton, OH
Clinic Involvement: Counsel
About the Case:
For decades, the Swartzentruber Amish—famous for their rejection of modern technology—used oil lamps and reflective tape to light their horse-drawn buggies. Now, they are challenging the constitutionality of Ohio’s H.B. 30 (2022), which mandates the use of flashing electric lights on horse-drawn buggies at all times. The requirement violates the Swartzentruber’s’ religious beliefs, and hundreds have received citations, escalating fines, and even jail-time for non-compliance.
The Religious Freedom Clinic partnered with Ohio-based Taft Law and filed a complaint and a motion for preliminary relief on behalf of plaintiffs representing four different Old Order Amish communities. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief under the Free Exercise Clause and the Ohio Constitution.
The Clinic remains committed to advocating for the Swartzentruber Amish, ensuring their religious convictions are protected from unconstitutional infringement.
Case Status:
Clinic students argued the motion before the Hardin Court of Common Pleas in Kenton, OH, and successfully obtained a Temporary Restraining Order. A hearing on Plaintiffs’ request for a permanent injunction is scheduled for July 8–9, 2025.
Key Documents:
Plaintiff’s Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction
Reply Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Memorandum in Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction
In the News:
