It's ok to falsely accuse police...

[Phlegm]

in California at least. From Associated Press:

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal appeals court on Thursday nullified a California criminal law adopted after the Rodney King beating that made it unlawful for citizens to knowingly lodge false accusations against police officers.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law was an unconstitutional infringement of speech because false statements in support of officers were not also criminalized.

The decision, hailed by civil liberties groups and opposed by state prosecutors and law enforcement groups, overturns the California Supreme Court, which in 2002 ruled that free speech concerns took a back seat when it came to speech targeting police officers.

Lawmakers enacted the law after a flood of hostile complaints against officers statewide following King’s 1991 taped beating. The 1995 law is punishable by up to six months in jail.

The imbalance generated by the law “turns the First Amendment on its head,” Judge Harry Pregerson wrote for the unanimous three-judge panel.

Darren Chaker, 33, of Beverly Hills, challenged the law after he was convicted in San Diego County in 1999 of making a false complaint against an El Cajon police officer.

Chaker appealed to California’s courts, to no avail. A federal judge had ruled against him as well, so he went to the San Francisco-based appeals court.

“It was up to the police department to determine if the speech was false,” Chaker said. “I made a complaint against a police officer for twisting my wrist and was charged as a criminal.”

[labbats]

The 9th circuit court always makes news. First when it passes a ridiculous law, and again when it gets overturned.

[kaharthemad]

I think they drop a hit of acid before they go into session. these guys are nut jobs of the Nth degree.

They are so radical in thier thinking it makes Arlos look like Rush Limbaugh. No offense Arlos.

[Arlos]

Q: What's the difference between Rush Limbaugh and the Hindenburg?

A: One's a flaming nazi gasbag, the other's just a blimp that crashed in New Jersey.

-Arlos

[Goose_Man]

Q: What's the difference between Rush Limbaugh and the Hindenburg?

A: One's a flaming nazi gasbag, the other's just a blimp that crashed in New Jersey.

-Arlos