What do you think: Should vet frauds be jailed?
Published: August 18, 2010
Veterans groups who have been crusading against military fakers aren't pleased with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today. In a 2-1 decision Tuesday, the panel struck down the Stolen Valor Act, which allows for heavy fines and possible jail time against individuals falsely claiming to have earned the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award.
The decision centers on Xavier Alvarez, a California water district board member was indicted in 2007 for claiming to have earned the honor in a public meeting in 2007. He was sentenced to more than 400 hours of community service at a veterans hospital and fined $5,000, but appealed on the ground that his First Amendment freedoms had been violated.
The panel agreed, ruling that there's no evidence that the false honors lie harms anyone and the government lacks a compelling reason to ban such lies. Attorney's for the government have not decided whether they'll appeal.
What do you think? Should individuals who falsely claim military honors face fines and jail time? Or do such laws unfairly restrict individuals' free speech?
Voice your opinions in the comments below.
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