Yakima, WASH.--A 2005 federal law was struck down Thursday by the Supreme Court.
The Stolen Valor Act, an act which made it illegal to lie about military service and medals, was considered a violation against free speech.
Under the law people who were convicted of lying could serve up to a year in prison. But in a 6-3 decision, the case of United States vs Alvarez declared the act unconstitutional.
The case involves Xavier Alvarez, a former California official who lied about receiving the Medal of Honor. He was sentenced to three years probation and given a 5,000 fine. He appealed and won.
"Saying you earned a Medal of Valor in combat and you never even served is just wrong," said Bryan Gerken, president of Combat Veterans United. "There's a lot of guys that have died, a lot of guys that have tried...and there are guys out there posing to be something they're not. It's so blatantly wrong."
Some veterans in Yakima say the Supreme Court made a mistake. They feel that without the act, politicians will lack accountability for what they say and do.
Veteran groups around the country are now fighting for a new law.
