Serene City enacts an ordinance that bans the use of "sound amplifying systems" on public streets. Tyler wants to campaign for a seat on the city council by broadcasting his message through speakers mounted on a truck. In Tyler's suit against the city, a court would likely hold the ordinance to be
A) an unconstitutional restriction of speech.
B) constitutional under the First Amendment.
C) justified by the need to protect individual rights.
D) necessary to protect national interests.

Question

Serene City enacts an ordinance that bans the use of "sound amplifying systems" on public streets. Tyler wants to campaign for a seat on the city council by broadcasting his message through speakers mounted on a truck. In Tyler's suit against the city, a court would likely hold the ordinance to be​
A) ​an unconstitutional restriction of speech.
B) ​constitutional under the First Amendment.
C) ​justified by the need to protect individual rights.
D) ​necessary to protect national interests.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ordinance is likely to be considered constitutional under the First Amendment because it regulates the time, place, and manner of speech rather than the content of the speech itself. Such regulations are permissible if they are content-neutral, narrowly tailored to serve a significant governmental interest, and leave open ample alternative channels for communication. In this case, the ordinance aims to control noise pollution and maintain public order on public streets, which are significant governmental interests.

Serene City Enacts an Ordinance That Bans the Use of "Sound