United States v. Alvarez
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-210 | 9th Cir. |
Feb 22, 2012 Tr.Aud. |
Jun 28, 2012 | 6-3 | Kennedy | OT 2011 |
Issue: Whether the Stolen Valor Act, 18 U.S.C. § 704(b), which makes it a crime to falsely represent that you have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States, is facially invalid under the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.
Plain English Issue: Whether a federal law that makes it a crime to lie about receiving military medals or honors violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of the right to free speech.
Judgment: Affirmed, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Kennedy on June 28, 2012.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Argument recap: Rewriting a law to save it
- Argument preview: The Constitution and lying
- SCOTUS for law students: Honoring war heroes versus protecting false statements (sponsored by Bloomberg Law)
- Plain English: Recent grants
- Another test of First Amendment
- Petition of the day
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner
Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner
- Brief for the American Legion
- Brief for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation
- Brief for the Legion of Valor of the United States and the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation
- Brief for Professors Eugene Volokh and James Weinstein
- Brief for Texas el al.
- Brief for Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States et al.
Amicus Briefs in Support of Neither Party
Merits Briefs for the Respondent
Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent
- Brief for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and Twenty-Three News Media Organizations
- Brief for Professor Jonathan D. Varat
- Brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Brief for American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression et al.
- Brief for the ACLU et al.
- Brief for the First Amendment Coalition
- Brief for the Thomas Jefferson Center
- Brief for First Amendment Lawyers Association
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