ACLU Lawsuit Seeks to End West Virginia Judge's Courtroom Prayer Sessions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHARLESTON, WV — The ACLU of West Virginia today filed a federal lawsuit seeking to end a state court judge’s unconstitutional practice of leading prayer sessions before grand jury proceedings.
The ACLU learned of the practice last fall, and on February 8 of this year wrote to Judge Andrew N. Frye, Jr. citing the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment as the basis for asking that the prayers cease.
“The law is clear that public officials can ‘make no law respecting the establishment of religion,'” said Hilary Chiz, Executive Director of the ACLU. “It’s hard to believe that Judge Frye doesn’t know what he is doing.”
“How can people of other faiths, or no religion at all, expect fair treatment in a court where Christianity is proclaimed unconstitutionally?” she added.
In legal papers filed on behalf of the state ACLU affiliate and member Brad Taylor of Mineral County, the ACLU said that Judge Frye routinely introduces a minister identified by his church affiliation who asks the convened grand jurors to bow their heads, then leads them in prayer.
The ACLU lawsuit asks for declaratory judgment that the “policies, practices or customs” be ruled unconstitutional and for a court order to immediately end the practice.
The complaint was filed by Harry P. Waddell, volunteer lawyer for the ACLU, who practices in Martinsburg.
Stay informed
Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy policy.
The latest in National Security
ACLU's Vision
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Learn More About National Security
The ACLU’s National Security Project is dedicated to ensuring that U.S. national security policies and practices are consistent with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights.