What was the issue in the US v Alvarez case?
After FBI agents obtained a tape recording of the meeting, federal prosecutors charged Alvarez with two counts of violating the Stolen Valor Act. Alvarez’s lawyer argued that the Stolen Valor Act was invalid under the First Amendment and, therefore, the case should be dismissed. The trial court rejected this argument.
Is it illegal to falsely claim to have won a Congressional medal of Honor?
The Stolen Valor Act of 2005, signed into law by President George W. The law made it a federal misdemeanor to falsely represent oneself as having received any U.S. military decoration or medal.
What branch of government had to decide if the Stolen Valor Act violated the First Amendment?
The Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch – the Supreme Court of the United States – ruled in 2012 that the Act was unconstitutional because it infringed on the right to free speech protected by the First Amendment.
What did NY Times v Sullivan demonstrate about the right to make false statements?
The Court said the right to publish all statements is protected under the First Amendment. The Court also said in order to prove libel, a public official must show that what was said against them was made with actual malice – “that is, with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard for the truth.”
Is Stolen Valor a crime in the US?
In general, no. While it may be morally reprehensible, it is usually not a crime. However, the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/258) makes it a crime for someone to claim they received certain medals in order to obtain money, property, or some other tangible benefit.
Which of these rights was upheld by the Alvarez case where the defendant claimed falsely that he had been awarded the Medal of Honor?
Supreme Court’s decision On June 28, 2012, a divided Court held that the prohibition against making false statements of having been awarded a military medal under the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 violated the First Amendment.
How does the Supreme Court interact with the other 2 US government branches consider the concept of checks and balances?
The Supreme Court and other federal courts (judicial branch) can declare laws or presidential actions unconstitutional, in a process known as judicial review. By passing amendments to the Constitution, Congress can effectively check the decisions of the Supreme Court.
What was the legal significance of the Sullivan v New York Times case?
v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964), was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the freedom of speech protections in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution restrict the ability of American public officials to sue for defamation.
What is the significance of United States v Alvarez?
United States v. Alvarez, 567 U.S. 709 (2012), is a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 was unconstitutional. The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 was a federal law that criminalized false statements about having a military medal.
Was Al Alvarez ever in the military?
None of Alvarez’s claims was true. He never served in the Marine Corps or any branch of the military, was never wounded in combat, and has never received a medal of any kind, including the nation’s highest military award – the Medal of Honor.
Who is Xavier Alvarez?
In 2007, at a Three Valley Water District Board meeting in Claremont, California, new member Xavier Alvarez introduced himself by saying, “I’m a retired Marine of 25 years. I retired in the year 2001. Back in 1987, I was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I got wounded many times by the same guy.”
Did Xavier Alvarez lie about his Medal of Honor?
Respondent Xavier Alvarez, an elected member of the Three Valleys Water District, lied about receiving a Congressional Medal of Honor during a board meeting. His lie violated the Stolen Valor Act, which Congress enacted to preserve the value of military awards, and he was criminally convicted and sentenced to probation.