The state of Michigan may no longer toss homeless men and women in jail for the crime of asking for a few coins so that they can eat. According to decision handed down by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit last week, a decades-old state law prohibiting “begging in a public place” violates the First Amendment’s free speech guarantee. In Grand Rapids, Michigan alone, the law was enforced 409 times against people asking for money. People arrested under this law faced up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. One person was jailed for holding a sign reading “Cold and Hungry, God Bless.”
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 01:43:38 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015