Georgia assisted suicide law unconstitutional 
Published: February 8, 2012
Tags: assisted suicide, First Amendment
A state law prohibiting anyone from offering to assist another in committing suicide violates the First Amendment, the Georgia Supreme Court has ruled in reversing judgment.
Stolen Valor Act constitutional
Published: February 1, 2012
Tags: First Amendment, Stolen Valor Act
A defendant could be convicted for misrepresenting himself as a decorated veteran without violating his First Amendment right of free speech, the 10th Circuit has ruled in reversing judgment.
Ministerial exception case could have ‘explosive’ impact
By:
Kimberly Atkins
Published: January 17, 2012
Tags: employment discrimination, First Amendment, ministerial exception, religious organizations, sex abuse, Supreme Court
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the First Amendment’s ministerial exception bars job-bias suits against religion-based employers will likely have an impact far beyond discrimination claims.
The affirmative defense could be invoked in other cases, including those alleging sexual abuse by members of the clergy.
Constitution bars job-bias suit against religious school
Published: January 11, 2012
Tags: First Amendment, ministerial exception
The First Amendment bars a disability discrimination suit brought by a teacher who was fired by a religious school, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a unanimous decision.
EMPLOYMENT
Published: January 11, 2012
Tags: employment, First Amendment
The First Amendment bars a disability discrimination suit brought by a teacher who was fired by a religious school.
See “Constitution bars job-bias suit against religious school”
U.S. Supreme Court. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran
» Continue Reading.
Court to decide special union fees constitutionality
By:
Kimberly Atkins
Published: January 10, 2012
Tags: agency fee, chargeable expenses, Fifth Amendment, First Amendment, fourteenth amendment, Supreme Court, union fees
WASHINGTON – The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court appear poised to issue a split decision in a case considering what notice non-union state workers must receive before being assessed a special fee that will fund political efforts. But a preliminary issue may keep the Court from even reaching the merits of the case.
Phone customers can sue U.S. gov’t over eavesdropping
Published: January 3, 2012
Tags: civil rights, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, First Amendment, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Fourth Amendment, privacy rights, Stored Communications Act
Residential telephone and Internet service customers have standing to sue the federal government over the program of warrantless eavesdropping implemented in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, the 9th Circuit has ruled in reversing a dismissal.
Constitution doesn’t protect student’s anti-gay views
Published: December 21, 2011
Tags: civil rights, First Amendment, §1983
The First Amendment does not protect a graduate student who was directed by school officials to enter a remediation program due to her religious views on homosexuality, the 11th Circuit has ruled in affirming judgment.
Blogger isn’t shielded from liability for defamation
Published: December 14, 2011
Tags: blogger, defamation, First Amendment
A blogger isn’t entitled the statutory and constitutional protections of a journalist when sued for defamation, a U.S. District Court in Oregon has ruled in entering a $2.5 million judgment.
Supreme Court to decide if retaliatory arrest suit is barred
Published: December 5, 2011
Tags: civil rights, First Amendment, immunity, retaliation, §1983
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether the existence of probable cause to make an arrest bars a First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim.
SUBSCRIBERS: Did you receive the new Lawyers USA Weekly Update in your inbox on Monday?
If not, click here to register and learn more now.
