Alvarez vs. United States

In his second term in office, President George Bush passed a law, labeled the Stolen Valor Act, which prevented anyone from falsely claiming service of the military or falsely asserting a military achievement position. Intended to preserve the honor and valor of soldiers who had served in the military, as well as those who have received military honors; violation of the Stolen Valor Act was considered a minor (misdemeanor) offense and was punishable for up to a year in prison.

When introducing himself at a meeting, Alvarez claimed to have been a marine and received the Medal of Honor. Upon his statement, he was arrested. Though he pled guilty to lying about his service, he argued that it was his first amendment right to claim service the military service. Once taken to the Supreme Court, the case found that the Stolen Valor Act was in fact unconstitutional, as it limited the “robust and uninhibited marketplace of ideas.”