3-02-12

Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Stolen Valor Law

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments on U.S. v. Alvarez, in which FRA is a co-signer of a Friend of the Court brief (a.k.a. amicus curiae).  The Court will decide whether Congress has the constitutional authority to prohibit people from lying about their military awards and decorations.

The “Stolen Valor Act” was signed into law in 2005, prohibiting anyone from falsely claiming receipt of military decorations or medals. Xavier Alvarez, a member of the Three Valley Water District Board of Directors in California, falsely claimed during a public meeting that he was a retired Marine, had been wounded many times in combat, and had been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Alvarez pleaded guilty to violating the Stolen Valor Act and appealed its constitutionality, claiming it violated his First Amendment rights to free speech. The U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit held that the Stolen Valor Act was unconstitutional.

FRA is one of 25 military and veterans organizations that believe there should be legal consequences for anyone who intentionally fabricates military service and honors. The Supreme Court is expected to render an opinion in June.