1st Amendment and Free Speech/English only laws

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Expert: - 10/28/2006


Question
By not making the necessary accommodations to help someone because they don't speak the language is treating them differently.  So therefore, wouldn't that be discrimination?  I am a bit confused about what "discrimination" is, was or what it will be.  

Answer
If you did not speak English and asked me a question, and I answered you in English, that would not be discrimination because I answer every person who asks me a question.  In other words, I give everyone the same treatment.  The fact that some people want or need different treatment means that it would be nice if I DID disscriiminate and treat people differently based on their needs.

- Mike  

1st Amendment and Free Speech

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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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