Author: David L. Hudson Jr.

Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Man with Vanity Plate, ‘IM GOD’

Kentucky man sued in federal court alleging a violation of his First Amendment free-speech rights, denying him a vanity license plate with the message “IM GOD.”
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The First Amendment Has Protected President Donald J. Trump

The First Amendment protects much speech that may annoy, offend and even harm. It often protects all of us, including the president.
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Women Defendants Contributed Mightily to First Amendment Jurisprudence

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of ratification of the 19th Amendment, we should also remember the courageous female defendants who often faced persecution, ostracism and scorn, merely for holding dissident political views.
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Federal Appeals Court Holds that Provision in PLRA Does Not Violate the ‘Breathing Space’ Principle

A federal appeals court ruled a three-strikes provision of the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) does not violate the First Amendment nor infringe on the “breathing space” principle.
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Federal Appeals Court Grants Qualified Immunity to University Officials, Denies Medical Student’s First Amendment Claim for Punishment Over Social Media Post

A previous U.S. Supreme Court’s qualified immunity decision, continues to do significant damage in First Amendment jurisprudence. In this case, regards to punishing a university student for an off-campus Facebook post.
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Part of prisoner’s lawsuit over restrictive mail policy allowed to proceed

In an Arkansas inmate’s lawsuit, he alleges that the three page mail restriction violates the First Amendment.
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Federal Judge Rules Georgia Sheriff Violated the First Amendment by Posting Signs in Sex Offenders’ Yards

A federal district court has ruled that a Georgia sheriff violated the First Amendment by posting signs in front of sex offenders’ homes for kids not to trick-or-treat there.
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Former Sex Offenders Can Proceed with Lawsuit Challenging Restrictions on Internet Use

A group of former sex offenders may continue with their lawsuit, challenging the constitutionality of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC’s) restrictive policy on internet access for those convicted of sex crimes.
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Colorado High Court Affirms Dismissal of Jury-Tampering Charges Against Men Who Advocated for Jury Nullification

A Colorado court rule that two men who handed out brochures on jury nullification at the courthouse did not violate Colorado’s jury tampering statute.
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Federal Judge Allows Jailhouse Lawyer’s Retaliation Claim to Proceed

Prisoners retain First Amendment free-speech rights even behind bars.
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