1st Amendment and Free Speech/First Amendment rights

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Expert: - 6/9/2008


Question
If a certain kind of speech is held by a court not to be protected by the First Amendment, can the government restrict or ban that kind of speech?

Answer
Hello,

Practically speaking, if the courts fail to protect a category of speech, and the legislature and executive also feel free to censor that speech, there is no longer any government organization that would be in a position to protect that freedom.

I hope this helps!
- Mike  

1st Amendment and Free Speech

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Volunteer

Michael Troy

Expertise

I will answer general questions regarding freedom of speech, petition, or religion. I specialize in cases involving public employment or education, as well as issues related to campaign finance. But I can`t give specific legal advice involving specific cases you might have.

Experience

As an attorney for the Center for Individual Rights, I worked on a number of free speech cases, including Rosenberger v. Univ. of Virginia, in which the Supreme Court upheld my clients' right to run a student newspaper without discrimination because of its religious conent. I also worked on White v. Julian, which protected the right of people to protest against a homeless shelter in their neighborhood.

I also worked for the Federal Election Commission on several cases regarding the right to participate in the election process.

Organizations
Former Attorney for Center for Individual Rights.

Publications
Washington Post
Washington Times

Education/Credentials
J.D. from Univ. of Michigan Law School

Awards and Honors
Truman Scholar

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