The ACLU reported that in opening arguments before U.S. District Judge Ronald Buckwalter, a Bush appointee, the judge termed the ACLU brief "outstanding" and said he felt the ACLU had shown the plaintiffs would be irreparably harmed if the law were not enjoined (not really surprising). The ACLU said the judge asked the lawyers to focus on the merits of the dispute, i.e., the Constitutional issues.
On Feb. 15, Judge Buckwalter issued a temporary restraining order which the ACLU termed a partial victory in its fight to have enforcement of the law's criminal sanctions at least temporarily halted.
On Feb. 8, Buckwalter heard oral arguments. The Clinton administration told the court that the Department of Justice had agreed to postpone any enforcement of the "indencent" or "patently offensive" provisions of the law for seven days, but declined to say whether it would initiate prosecutions later on material placed on the Internet during the period.
A copy of the ACLU's original complaint may be found at http//www.aclu.org/court/cdacom.html. The ACLU's opinion about the judge's Feb. 15 ruling and its impact may be found at: Press inquiries regarding the suit should be directed to Emily Whitfield (emilyaclu@aol.com) or (212) 944-9800 ext. 426.
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