- Frequently Asked Questions -

- FREE SPEECH LAW -

Question

What is freedom of speech?

Answer

Freedom of speech is a person’s right to communicate without interference or retaliation from the government and is highly protected by the laws of the United States with only a few exceptions. Freedom of speech includes more than merely words and can be viewed almost as a freedom of expression.

Question

Is “hate speech” protected?

Answer

Yes, the law does not actually have a definition for hate speech so it has not carved it out as an exception to free speech law. However, there may be non-legal repercussions of hate speech.

Question

Who does the First Amendment apply to?

Answer

The First Amendment only applies to the government and those working on its behalf (also known as state actors).