The U.S. Justice Department will appeal two court decisions that said a federal law making it illegal to lie about being a war hero is unconstitutional.
Federal prosecutors in Colorado said Friday they will appeal a ruling by a federal judge in Denver that the Stolen Valor Act violates free speech.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, ruling in a California case, also found the law unconstitutional. Late Thursday, prosecutors asked that court to reconsider.
The law makes it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail to falsely claim to have received a military medal.
Supporters say the Constitution doesn't protect people who knowingly lie. They argue the law is needed to protect the honor of real heroes.
I honestly don't they can win on pure legal merits, but I hope they find a way to keep the law on the books.
By: Brant
No comments:
Post a Comment