Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Strikes Down Election Law Criminalizing Making a False Statement in an Election

On August 6, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a 31-page opinion in Commonwealth v Melissa Lucas. The opinion strikes down a 1947 Massachusetts law that provides “no person shall make or publish any false statement in relation to any candidate for nomination or election to public office, which is designed or tends to aid or to injure or defeat such candidate.” The law has another section applying to ballot measures.

The opinion is based on the Free Speech portion of the Massachusetts Constitution, and was unanimous.


Comments

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Strikes Down Election Law Criminalizing Making a False Statement in an Election — 1 Comment

  1. Hmmm. Zillions more LIES in TV attack ads.

    My opponent is a killer and traitor, supports the ISIS killers, supports Putin attacks, and even kills baby cats and dogs at midnight on full moon nights.

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