Supreme Court considers local permits for door-to-door solicitors

[Gauracandra]

Supreme Court considers local permits for door-to-door solicitors

February 26, 2002 Posted: 3:40 PM EST (2040 GMT)

 

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday considered the constitutionality of a local ordinance which requires religious groups and other organizations engaging in door-to-door solicitations to obtain permits.

 

The Church of Jehovah's Witnesses brought suit against the small village of Stratton, Ohio, which passed an ordinance which prohibits all forms of door-to-door solicitation without a permit.

 

Jevohah's Witnesses interpret biblical passages to mean they are required to go door to door to preach the gospel.

 

Lawyers for the church contend that Jehovah's Witnesses need no one's permission to pursue what the church views as its mission to take religion to others' doorsteps.

 

Mormons and other religious organizations which publicly spread their message have backed the court challenge to the ordinance as an infringement on First Amendment freedoms. The American Civil Liberties Union also backs the Jehovah's Witnesses.

 

Stratton, a community of about 300, says the permit requirement gives the town an opportunity to control activities which may disturb and annoy residents in their homes.

 

Municipal groups such as the National League of Cities, as well as Ohio, support Stratton.

 

The Supreme Court has historically been sympathetic to the Jehovah's Witnesses, which have frequently launched legal challenges to restrictions they believe to be aimed at their church practices.

 

Although the Court's arguments centered Tuesday on religious advocacy, the rights of other door-to-door visitors -- even trick-or-treaters -- were considered by the justices. They are expected to rule by late June.

 

The Supreme Court is expected to rule by July on the church's appeal of a federal court ruling that upheld the permit rules as evenhanded.

 

The court already has held that the Constitution gives people the right to distribute anonymous campaign literature, and a ruling for the church in this case would extend that right to anonymous door-to-door soliciting for any cause.

 

Stratton's ordinance requires that permits be obtained in advance before anyone can solicit at a private home. It applies to commercial salesmen, school groups selling candy bars or political candidates eager to shake hands. The solicitor must carry the permit for display to any resident who asks.