In this case, the Court ruled that states must prove that a person had malice
when he or she created a false statement. Malice is an intentional decision to
cause harm. This case relates to my case because it explains that speech can
be restricted for content reasons if malice can be proven.
The court also ruled that Johnson had the right to free speech when he
burned his flag. Governments cannot restrict a person's free speech just
because the content of what they are saying is offensive or disagreeable. My
case is also about the content of a person's speech, and Fields also made an
offensive type of statement by lying.
According to a 2012 decision by the US Supreme Court, Abel Fields's actions
are protected by the First Amendment. By a 6-3 majority, the Supreme Court
determined that the Stolen Valor Act was unconstitutional under the First
Amendment's protection of free speech.