DENVER—The Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a federal law making it illegal to lie about being a war hero is constitutional and that making such false statements is not protected free speech.
The ruling Friday reverses a federal judge’s decision that the Stolen Valor Act violates the First Amendment. The case involves Rick Strandlof, a Colorado man who was arrested after claiming he was wounded in Iraq as a Marine and had received military medals. His lawyers have acknowledged the claims were false.
The Circuit Court said in its ruling that “false statements of fact do not enjoy constitutional protection” unless to protect more valuable speech.
Courts in California, Georgia and Missouri have considered similar cases. The U.S. Supreme Court will rule later on the constitutionality of the federal law.
