Does it infringe on the First Amendment regarding the right to freedom of speech?
- Stephanie R. Holan
by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian
09-20-25
The Uvalde Hesperian reached out to Stephanie Holan, an attorney practicing law in the state of Texas and a contributor to the Uvalde Hesperian regarding the question if a county commissioner’s court in Texas can prohibit clothing in support of a political candidate in venue where the county government proceedings are held.
Holan said, “Yes, courts can have rules of decorum and require a dress code.
While clothing can be an expression of free speech, not in the context of a courtroom. People are not dressing as expression and just happening into a courtroom. They are there for court. As such, they have to follow a dress code
If it is just someone attending a meeting, then no. The Government cannot preempt your speech. She can wear a campaign shirt.”
