SMU: Publisher Co-Represented by First Amendment Clinic Wins Settlement In Free Speech Case

SMU’s Dedman School of Law, in collaboration with O’Melveny, reached a settlement in a lawsuit over censorship of Grayson County jail inmates' reading materials and correspondence published by Human Rights Defense Center. The case alleged Sheriff William Bennie and former Sheriff Tom Watt violated the First Amendment’s free speech and press protections. Partner Timothy Durst, who led the team advising SMU said, “We were pleased to represent HRDC, and team with them and the SMU First Amendment Clinic, in prosecuting these important claims. The injunction and the settlement together should ensure that the First Amendment rights of publishers and of prisoners are protected going forward.”

Read the full article here.