Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs' Association, Mark Zidek and Ilir Sino v. David A. Clarke, Jr., Edward Bailey and Milwaukee County
Dec 04, 2009OUTCOME: District Court affirmed
Milwaukee County violated the First Amendment Rights of deputy sheriffs by allowing a representative of a Christian peer support group to speak at mandatory employee meetings. The ruling affirms that ... a sheriff cannot force members of the department to set through a religious presentation. The ruling is a strong reaffirmation of religious liberty. The ruling affirmed that a government's actions violates the establishment clause of the constitution if it has any of the following characteristics: a non-secular purpose; the principal or primary affect of advancing or inhibiting religion; or fostering excessive government entanglement with religion. The ruling was a victory for each individual deputy and the Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs' Association.