Abel Fields: Abel Fields Not Guilty

In the Supreme Court case, United States v. Fields, Abel Fields is convicted under the Stolen Valor Act for claiming he had received a Purple Heart for bravery. In his first hearing, Abel was found guilty and ordered to pay the fine. However, the appeals court ruled Fields not guilty. Abel Fields argues that his right to lie is protected by the First Amendment and that his actions do not harm other individuals nor benefit himself. His prosecutors argue that an intentional lie is not protected by the First Amendment and that Abel Fields’ lie damages the integrity of the award. Abel Fields is not guilty on the grounds that no harm was made nor was any constitutional law broken. In reference to the precedent case New York Times Co. v. Sullivan,