1st Amendment and Free Speech/Picketing

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Expert: - 3/24/2004


Question
I am currently disputing a contractual issue with my home builder. They are a national organization.  I was wondering if Iam allowed to picket their place of business?  Am I protected under the first amendment?

Answer
Hi Tim,

I am not permitted to provide specific legal advice in this forum.  That would constitute unauthorized practice of law.

However, generally speaking picketing has First Amendment Protection, although there may be reasonable limits on such picketing to prevent picketers from blocking access to the business, etc.

For more info, you may find this article helpful:

http://supreme.lp.findlaw.com/constitution/amendment01/20.html

- 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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