Press Release

Media Advisory: Supreme Court Hearing for Prisoner Religious Liberty Case Set for October 7

Media Contact

Ryan Colby 202-349-7219 media@becketlaw.org

Additional Information

Washington, D.C.The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument in the landmark prisoner religious liberty case of Holt v. Hobbs on October 7, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. EST (see video). Professor Douglas Laycock of the University of Virginia School of Law and Becket for Religious Liberty represent Mr. Abdul Muhammad, an Arkansas inmate who has been denied the ability to grow a half-inch beard in accordance with his Muslim faith. At issue is whether the state prison system’s refusal to allow Mr. Muhammad’s peaceful religious expression violates a federal civil rights law, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).

Who:
Professor Douglas Laycock, University of Virginia School of Law and Hannah Smith, Senior Counsel for Becket

What:
Oral Argument for Holt v. Hobbs (see video)

When:
October 7, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

Where:
The U.S. Supreme Court, 1 First St NE, Washington, DC 20543

Becket attorneys will be available for comment immediately following the argument outside the Supreme Court.  For more information or to arrange an interview with an attorney, please contact Melinda Skea at media@becketlaw.org or 202.349.7224.

Becket is a non-profit, public-interest law firm dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions. For over 20 years, it has defended clients of all faiths, including Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Native Americans, Sikhs, and Zoroastrians. Its recent cases include two major Supreme Court victories: the landmark ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, and the 9-0 ruling in Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC, which The Wall Street Journal called one of “the most important religious liberty cases in a half century.”

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