Court rules it's okay to blast Timberlake next to church - Orlando

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
12/13/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Florida law found to violate 1st Amendment.

The Florida Supreme Court has ruled unanimously, that drivers have the right to blast their music while driving to work, as loudly as they like.

Unfortunately the ruling probably protects blasting this kid on the stereo as well.

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ORLANDO, FL (Catholic Online) - The ruling stems from a 2007 state law prohibiting loud music while driving. Richard Catalano was cited for playing Justin Timberlake a little too loudly while on his way to work.

Catalano, who also happens to be a lawyer, fought the ticket all the way to the State Supreme Court.

The ticket, which would have cost him $73, was for breaking the law which prohibited the playing of "plainly audible" music at a distance of 25 feet. The rules were even more strict for drivers who happened to be near hospitals, schools, and churches.

The court ruled the law violated the First Amendment and was overly broad. Justice Jorge Labarga wrote in his ruling, "The right to play music, including amplified music, in public fora is protected under the First Amendment."

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Music, First Amendment, law, Timberlake

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1 - 6 of 6 Comments

DLL
5 months ago
Just imagine if I were to very loudly to play a children's chorus singing Jesus loves me this I know because the BIBLE tells me so! What would the decision be then?
Kevin
5 months ago
How about broadcasting mass from a loud speaker on Sundays outside the church? I suspect now it will be classed as "noise pollution" and taxed…for each act of free speech that creates noise pollution. EPA are you listening… :D
Leonardo
5 months ago
Wow. The verdict: "The court ruled the law violated the First Amendment and was overly broad" - so they found a way to bend their own law to fit the needs of Mr. Catalano. So what is the reason to have a law, any law, if it can be changed to fit any individual that comes along and complains about something. What is next, Mr. Catalano will want to blast his boombox inside the Church while there's a mass going on? As absurd as that may sound, he may get somewhere if he launched a "legitimate" complain. This stinks to high heaven. But then again for the Catholic Church and Christian Faith being under attack on all sides this is barely significant. It does though give a small victory to "the other side". I ask Mr. Catalano to go do the same thing next to a Mosque, Sikh Temple, Synagogue or another non-Christian place of woship to see what happens!
blacksheep09
5 months ago
Florida and common sense don't seem to go hand in hand, distracted driving causes how many accidents? The FSSC has shown once again a bent towards not smart; would they produce the same ruling for a street preacher? Your telling me I can blast the 1968 Papel letter speaking out against the birth control pill (forgive me I forget if the author was Pope John II and his Humane Vitea, my latin is terrible)? Lord elevate the rightous and destroy the wicked, amen.
Francis
5 months ago
We have been given the marching orders. Preach the Gospel so world can hear the courts have given us the power. Go Relevant Radio.
DarthJ
5 months ago
Everyone should take to the streets playing various Catholic apologists on their boom boxes.

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