Ohio Official’s Arrest After She Criticized Sheriff at Public Meeting a Free Speech Violation, Judge Orders Damages (VIDEO)
On Wednesday, a federal judge ruled that the constitutional rights of an Ohio elected official were violated when she was arrested for criticizing the sheriff at a public meeting, AP reported.
U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese ruled that the arrest violated the First Amendment.
Niki Frenchko, the sole Republican on the three-member Trumbull County Board of Commissioners, was arrested during a commissioners’ meeting on July 7, 2022.
She was charged under a contentious Ohio law that criminalizes actions or speech intended to “prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting.”
This law has been criticized for its vague language concerning “obstructive conduct” and its potential to outrage the sensibilities of a group.
