About 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
Question Do you believe that standards of professional behavior ought to be valued above freedom of expression on social networking web sites? If so how and why?
Answer Social networking sites are organized by private companies. Therefore, the First Amendment does not apply to them. To some extent, those who run such sites have to put certain limits on speech or many of their customers would leave. However, to the extent the site suppresses views, that could cause some to leave as well. The great thing about the internet and restrictions on expression by web masters is that people always have somewhere else to go. People can find the right balance on the site that is right for them. I would be deeply concerned if the government got into the business of regulating expression on all sites.
