JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Derogatory, obnoxious language may not have many fans outside of certain chat rooms, but the First Amendment protects all kinds of speech. Which is what made a recent order by Duval County Chief Judge Mark Mahon all the more perplexing.
That order, since revised, banned protesters on the grounds of the County Courthouse from saying anything derogatory about judges. The order also banned photography in some public places, if it captures the comings and goings of judges, security personnel and detainees – and that portion remains in effect.
In this episode of On Point, First Amendment attorney George Gabel talks with host Shannon Ogden about the judge's original order, his decision to revise it, and the legal questions that remain.
