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Civility In Government Meetings: Balancing First Amendment, Reputational Interests, And Efficiency, Terri R. Day, Erin Bradford
Civility In Government Meetings: Balancing First Amendment, Reputational Interests, And Efficiency, Terri R. Day, Erin Bradford
Terri R. Day
This article addresses the issue of civility in local government meetings and the constitutional considerations for adopting rules of decorum. While not constitutionally guaranteed, the right of citizens to participate in public meetings can be created by state statute or judicial fiat. Once created, any restrictions placed on citizen speech are subject to constitutional dictates. Matters of local government business inflame passions; and public comment sessions can become explosive. When disruption occurs, presiding officials must act to silence citizens’ voices or eject them from public meetings, in ways that do not trample on First Amendment rights. In creating parameters that …
Civility In Government Meetings: Balancing First Amendment, Reputations Intests, And Efficiency, Terri R. Day, Erin Bradford
Civility In Government Meetings: Balancing First Amendment, Reputations Intests, And Efficiency, Terri R. Day, Erin Bradford
Terri R. Day
This article addresses the issue of civility in local government meetings and the constitutional considerations for adopting rules of decorum. While not constitutionally guaranteed, the right of citizens to participate in public meetings can be created by state statute or judicial fiat. Once created, any restrictions placed on citizen speech are subject to constitutional dictates. Matters of local government business inflame passions; and public comment sessions can become explosive. When disruption occurs, presiding officials must act to silence citizens’ voices or eject them from public meetings, in ways that do not trample on First Amendment rights. In creating parameters that …