The United States Supreme Court appears likely to side with a small Gilbert church in its fight with the town over the limits that have been place on roadside signs.
Both liberal and conservative justices expressed misgivings Monday about the Gilbert sign ordinance because it puts more restrictions on a churches’ temporary signs than those put up by political candidates, real estate agents and others.
The Good News Community Church says by dividing regulations for non-commercial signs into categories the town is regulating speech based on its content, which is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.
The town says it needs some flexibility built into the law, to make sure the government is not suppressing or favoring certain ideas, which the First Amendment guards against.
William Brinton, an attorney who has argued First Amendment issues, said the decision will have widespread application.
“From the standpoint of local governments across the United States it is one of the most important cases to come before the court," Brinton said.
A decision is expected by this summer.