Although just 45 words long, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has spawned countless treatises of legal scholarship and filled countless volumes with case law. It reads in full:
Canva
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Though referring specifically to “Congress,” the First Amendment applies equally to state and local governments and their officials. Of the several distinct individual liberties the First Amendment protects, two broad categories have been most frequently invoked: freedom of expression and freedom of religion. The Ohio First Amendment lawyers at Bolek Besser Glesius have experience litigating in both arenas.
“Freedom of speech” means not only the spoken word, but also writing, broadcasting, posting on the internet, and other forms of expression. It is right upon which the core of our democracy rests. Violation of this right might take many forms, from government censorship or punishment of those with unpopular views to retaliation against government employees who blow the whistle on public corruption.
For its part, “freedom of religion” encompasses two distinct rights: the right to choose and practice one’s own religion, and a guarantee that government will not favor any religion over another (or over no religion at all). These dual protections work together to guarantee our nation’s founding promise of religious liberty.
If you believe the government has violated your constitutional rights, contact a First Amendment lawyer at Bolek Besser Glesius for a free consultation.
