Texas Court's Ruling on the First Amendment

A federal judge on Tuesday struck down key sections of a new Texas law that required women in that state to receive a fetal sonogram and hear about its results at least 24 hours before an abortion.

U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks issued a preliminary injunction after finding that portions of the sonogram law, set to take effect Thursday, were unconstitutionally vague and violated the First Amendment by improperly requiring doctors and patients to engage in government-mandated speech.

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This is another example of Judicial Review.

Near v Minnesota

Here are more details about Near v Minnesota.

Pentagon Papers

Is flashing your headlights a free speech issue?

Is flashing your headlights illegal or a free speech issue? Well at least one judge sided with the First Amendment.

"Alexis Cason, pictured above, was on her way to school one morning when she spotted two Oviedo police officers on the side of the road. She flashed her headlights to warn other drivers about the speed trap ahead. Moments later, another cop pulled her over and wrote her a ticket, saying she'd just broken the law by flashing her lights.

Law, she asked, what law? Cason, 22, challenged the ticket and won."

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Remember, the First Amendment means whatever the courts say it means.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Mass Communication Law Textbook

This is the textbook that you will need for the class - the 17th Edition.