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Comment By Damian Mann MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Posted Mar. 27, 2009 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 5, 2009 at 2:41 PM By Damian Mann Posted Mar. 27, 2009 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 5, 2009 at 2:41 PM » RELATED CONTENT Rejected --> The following is one of the sections of Medford's panhandling ordinance rejected by Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Mejia because it restricts freedom of speech: Locations where solic... » Read more X Rejected The following is one of the sections of Medford's panhandling ordinance rejected by Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Mejia because it restricts freedom of speech: Locations where solicitation is prohibited: Solicitation shall be prohibited when the person solicited is in any of the following locations: Private property without the permission of the property owner or other person lawfully in possession of such property or other person with lawful authority to manage such property. At any intersection controlled by an electronic traffic control device. Within 50 feet of an automated teller or financial institution. Public transportation vehicles or facilities. Public parking lots or structures. A queue of five or more persons waiting to gain admission to a place, or event, to purchase an item or admission ticket. Mejia specifically referred to Article 1, Section 8, of the Oregon Constitution: Freedom of speech and press. No law shall be passed restraining the free expression of opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write, or print freely on any subject whatever; but every person shall be responsible for the abuse of this right. LINKS • Judge's decision » Social News A Medford panhandling ordinance that prohibits solicitation of money at intersections and other locations is unconstitutional, a Jackson County judge has ruled. Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Mejia's four-page order, issued March 19, found Medford's ordinance specifically violated Article 1, Section 8, of the Oregon Constitution, which prohibits passing any law restricting freedom of speech. "I think it's important for government officials to understand that they cannot prohibit expression because they find it offensive," said David Fidanque, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon. One of the ACLU's members filed the suit. Mejia is expected to issue a formal judgment soon that will spell out what actions the city will have to take. Medford officials already have told officers to stop citing panhandlers in light of the judge's ruling. Solicitation of money, said Fidanque, is a form of expression protected by the Oregon Constitution. Ashland had a ban on panhandling that the city lifted in 2007 because of similar fears that it violated the state constitution. If Medford doesn't appeal the ruling, Fidanque said panhandlers would be able to ask for money again at intersections and freeway off-ramps. "We're disappointed," said Medford police Chief Randy Schoen. "We were looking out for the majority of folks impacted by this." He said the city enlisted the help of a lawyer who has worked with the ACLU in re-crafting the ordinance this year so that it would stand up to constitutional tests. Despite the rewrite of Municipal Code No. 5.258, Judge Mejia stated it didn't stand up to constitutional tests and he didn't find it particularly well-written. "As originally drafted, (section) 5.258 was somewhat convoluted, interspersing definitions between prohibitions," he stated. "As amended, the statute is more so." The city will decide whether to rewrite the law to bring it in line with the judge's ruling or appeal the decision, said Schoen. "Judge Mejia is a good man of character," said Schoen. "He made his opinion based on his interpretation and judgment of the law." However, Schoen said Medford based its ordinance on other cities that have successfully written laws prohibiting panhandling at intersections. Schoen said Medford's efforts to ban panhandling received overwhelming support from citizens worried about safety concerns at intersections. Panhandlers once again will be able to solicit money at both the north and south Medford interchanges. Schoen said he suspected panhandlers would start showing up once the word gets out. He said a few accidents had been reported because of panhandlers interfering with traffic in the past, but "it was nothing of epidemic proportions." City Attorney John Huttl said Medford officials won't decide on the next step to take until Mejia issues a judgment. Huttl said the judge did uphold a portion of the ordinance that prohibits aggressive panhandling, which the ACLU didn't oppose. Medford created the ordinance in January 2008 after receiving complaints from citizens about panhandlers at intersections and at freeway off-ramps. The suit was filed by Medford resident Derek Volkart, an ACLU member. Portland attorney Justin M. Thorp of Martin, Bischoff, Templeton, Langslet & Hoffman LLP represented Volkart pro bono. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected]. By Damian Mann MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Posted Mar. 27, 2009 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 5, 2009 at 2:41 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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