MISSOURI
San Francisco Chroncile
JIM SALTER, Associated Press
Updated 9:50 a.m., Tuesday, September 11, 2012
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Missouri’s new law that criminalizes disturbing a worship service is overly broad and vague, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union argued Tuesday.
At issue is a law that took effect last month making it a misdemeanor to intentionally disturb or interrupt a “house of worship” with profane language, rude or indecent behavior or noise that breaks the solemnity of the service. Violators could face up to six months in jail and a $500 fine. Repeat offenders could get up to five years in prison.
The ACLU, representing two individuals and two groups that often picket outside of churches over allegations of sexual abuse of children by clergy, is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the law. U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber heard the case in St. Louis, but it wasn’t clear when he would issue a ruling.
ACLU attorney Anthony Rothert and the attorney for the state, Andy Hirth, said the issue was not disruption inside a church, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship. Both agreed intentionally disrupting a service from the inside would merit a crime.
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