PHOENIX (AP) – A new court ruling says a state law that prohibits certain adult-oriented businesses from operating during early morning hours doesn’t violate the Arizona Constitution’s free-speech protections.
The state Court of Appeals says the Arizona Constitution provides no broader free-speech protections than the U.S. Constitution for sexually oriented businesses that don’t feature live entertainment.
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2003 upheld the 1998 law in a case that centered on whether its restrictions violated the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.
The law requires adult theaters, adult bookstores, adult video stores, escort agencies, and similar businesses to close between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and until noon on Sunday.