On Feb. 22 the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the oral argument in “United States v. Alvarez”---about whether the Stolen Valor Act, a federal law that makes it a crime to lie about receiving military medals or honors, violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of the right to free speech.
And this Saturday, on C-SPAN Radio’s historic Supreme Court oral argument, a case cited in “U.S. v. Alvarez”. From 1970:
“Daniel Schacht, petitioner v. United States, respondent.”
In 1968, Daniel Jay Schacht performed in a skit while wearing an accurate military uniform. The skit was in opposition to the Vietnam war, and Mr. Schacht's role portrayed the military in a negative light. He was indicted in U.S. District Court for violating part of the United States code and later tried and convicted. On February 29, 1968, he was sentenced to the maximum punishments of a $250 fine and six months in prison. Daniel Schacht appealed his conviction, but was denied by the Court of Appeals, prompting the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The audio and information in this program are courtesy of the Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.