Legal Momentum served as co-counsel.

Summary of the Case

This was the first federal appeals case to uphold the Constitutionality of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, passed by Congress in 1994. Legal Momentum was one of the architects of FACE, which has been tremendously effective in reducing the incidence of obstructive protests and violence outside facilities that provide reproductive health services, such as birth control and abortion. We have defended the Constitutionality of FACE before federal courts across the country.

Decision

The Fourth Circuit found that Congress acted within the power afforded it by the commerce clause to enact FACE. The circuit court also held that FACE does not violate First Amendment rights to free speech or freedom of religion.