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.