Oct. 18, 2011 - The Supreme Court will decide whether telling a lie about yourself is a crime -- if the lie claims military medals you didn't earn.The court said Monday it will rule on the constitutionality of a law making it a federal crime to claim falsely, either in writing or aloud, that one has been awarded the Medal of Honor, a Silver Star, Purple Heart or any other military medal.
The Stolen Valor Act, which passed Congress with overwhelming support in 2006, has been used only a few dozen times, but the underlying issue of false claims of military heroism has struck a chord in an era in which American soldiers are fighting two wars.
The justices have issued a series of rulings in recent terms in favor of free expression, striking down California's violent video restrictions and a federal law involving cruelty to animals. The court upheld the right of protesters to picket military funerals with provocative, even offensive, messages. read more>>>
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