Source: ACSOL
The federal district court in Arkansas where a lawsuit has been filed challenging a Halloween sign requirement set a hearing in the case for May 2 at 1:30 p.m. in the fifth floor courtroom in Fayetteville. The purpose of that hearing is “to assess the pretrial needs of the case.” According to the court document, the trial date for the case will also be set during that hearing.
Prior to the May 2 hearing, both parties are required to file several documents, including an important document that is due on March 20. Motions, including but not limited to, an application for a Preliminary Injunction, can also be filed prior to the May 2 hearing. Motions can also be filed after that hearing.
The federal district court judge assigned to this case is Judge Timothy Brooks whose position was confirmed in 2014. Judge Brooks granted an injunction last year that stopped a state law that would have authorized criminal prosecution of librarians and bookstores that provided harmful materials to minors. The ACLU praised this ruling stating that the law, if enforced, would have imperiled the First Amendment.
Download the scheduling order:
Great news: The judge assigned to this case supports the First Amendment and has been praised by the ACLU as reflected in the article!
I am encouraged that the judge assigned to this case has ruled in favor of the First Amendment less than a year ago. We can only hope that he doesn’t turn a blind eye in our case due to the fact that the plaintiff in this case is required to register.