Attorney Thomas “Tommy” Davenport, Jr., Wins Federal Suit Over Fortunetelling Ban in Alexandria, Louisiana; City Settles

City of Alexandria settles fortunetelling ban case after receiving two unfavorable rulings by the United States Courts. Thomas “Tommy” Davenport, Jr., represented the fortuneteller.

Alexandria, LA (PRWEB) November 21, 2012

Thomas “Tommy” Davenport, Jr., wins federal challenge over a fortunetelling ban in Alexandria, Louisiana. Tommy obtained a favorable result for Rachel Adams, doing business as Readings by Faith, who was threatened with arrest and issued a criminal summons after seeking a business permit to offer fortunetelling to the public.

Both U.S. District Judge Drell and U.S. Magistrate Judge Kirk agreed that Mrs. Adams has a constitutional right to free speech, and they declared the fortunetelling ban “unconstitutional.”

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kirk issued a 10 page Report and Recommendation that stated, in part “To apply the ordinance literally would outlaw every ‘amateur psychiatrist, parlor sage and barstool philosopher’ in Alexandria who dares to suggest to another what the future may hold.” Kirk continued dismantling the city’s argument by noting, “This attempt at ‘alchemy’ by the city to turn content-based speech into commercial speech just doesn’t shine ….” Adams d/b/a Readings by Faith v. City of Alexandria, Civil Action No., 11-1484, U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, Alexandria Division; 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 97042.

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