The Arkansas Supreme Court overturned a law prohibiting sexual interaction between teachers and students when it reversed a teacher’s conviction of sexual assault.

David Paschal, a former teacher at Elkins High School engaged in a sexual relationship with one of his students in 2010. The student who was 18 years old, alerted authorities of her relationship with Paschal after the two separated.

The former history and psychology instructor was charged with four counts of sexual assault and was sentence to 30 years behind bars.

However, since the student was a legal adult and the sex was consensual, the Arkansas Supreme Court granted Paschal his freedom.

"Regardless of how we feel about Paschal's conduct, which could correctly be referred to as reprehensible, we cannot abandon our duty to uphold the rule of law when a case presents distasteful facts," the court said.