No. 25-123

Matthew Joseph Connolly v. City of Southfield, Michigan

Lower Court: Michigan
Docketed: 2025-07-31
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived Experienced Counsel
Tags: criminal-ordinance due-process first-amendment free-speech probation-conditions public-forum
Key Terms:
AdministrativeLaw FirstAmendment DueProcess
Latest Conference: 2025-09-29
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the Due Process Clause protects defendants from being prosecuted under an ordinance that criminalizes expression in public forums, and whether the First Amendment allows probation restrictions on peaceful free speech near medical facilities

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

1. Whether the Due Process Clause protects defendants from being prosecuted under an ordinance that prohibits expression and conduct in public forums, such as “public buildings,” “street[s],” “or park[s]” and criminalizes “any act causing annoyance, disquiet, agitation, or derangement” in said various public places. 2. Whether the First Amendment allows a court to prohibit, as a term of a defendant’s probation, peaceful and otherwise lawful free speech within 500 feet of all medical facilities that provide abortion throughout the entirety of the nation, including free speech that would take place on the public sidewalk. ii STATEMENT OF

Docket Entries

2025-10-06
Petition DENIED.
2025-09-03
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/29/2025.
2025-08-18
Waiver of right of respondent People of the City of Southfield to respond filed.
2025-07-28
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 2, 2025)

Attorneys

Matthew Connolly
Erin Elizabeth MersinoAdvocates for Faith and Freedom, Petitioner
People of the City of Southfield
Dawn KingCity of Southfield Legal Dpt., Respondent