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03 October 2010

"Stolen Valor Act" Still Being Fought Over

The US Government is fighting to save the Stolen Valor Act from the Supreme Court's free speech ruling.

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

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