N.Y. Law Limiting Court Protest Survives 1st Amendment Challenge

A New York law that limits protests near courthouses can withstand a broad First Amendment challenge, the Second Circuit ruled Wednesday in partially vacating a federal trial court’s injunction against the law.

But the injunction issued by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York may stay in place as it relates to the activities of the plaintiff who brought the challenge, Michael Picard, the opinion by Judge Gerard E. Lynch said.

Picard was promoting the general concept of jury nullification and handing out pamphlets on the sidewalk outside the Bronx County Hall of Justice. He testified ...