09/29/2009: S&G successfully defends Amish right to refuse to submit a signed building permit application
Wisconsin court grants the motion of S&G client National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom to dismiss the Town of Albion's suit against Samuel Stoltzfus:
The court was satisfied by the briefs that were filed in this matter that he did indeed establish a sincerely held religious belief that prevented him from signing a permit application. When that occurs, the burden shifts to the township to establish a compelling state interest from enforcing a requirement that a permit application be submitted and signed. . . . The court does not believe that the township has offered a compelling governmental interest to overcome the objection raised by Mr. Stolzfus on religious grounds.
This case of constitutional dimension is a case probably not only important to our community and our county and – and the State of Wisconsin, it is probably a case that has potential for national consequences.
Transcript of September 29, 2009 Hearing, Jackson County Circuit Court, Wisconsin.