RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – A judge says Richmond’s noise ordinance is too broad and unconstitutionally promotes religion.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Richmond General District Chief Judge Robert A. Pustilik overturned the ordinance Tuesday. The ruling came in a case involving music played by a band at a party.
The ordinance prohibits sound such as a television or music if it’s plainly audible inside someone else’s home or at least 50 feet away. Such sound also is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. if it’s plainly audible to anyone else.
Pustilik said a man who got into bed and turned a TV on after 11 p.m. would be in violation if his wife heard the sound.
He also noted that the ordinance exempts sounds related to religious expression, including singing.
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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.timesdispatch.com/
(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – A judge says Richmond’s noise ordinance is too broad and unconstitutionally promotes religion.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Richmond General District Chief Judge Robert A. Pustilik overturned the ordinance Tuesday. The ruling came in a case involving music played by a band at a party.
The ordinance prohibits sound such as a television or music if it’s plainly audible inside someone else’s home or at least 50 feet away. Such sound also is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. if it’s plainly audible to anyone else.
Pustilik said a man who got into bed and turned a TV on after 11 p.m. would be in violation if his wife heard the sound.
He also noted that the ordinance exempts sounds related to religious expression, including singing.
___
Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.timesdispatch.com
(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
