Case Brief

1. HaroldSowards
CJ 322, T/Th 9:30
People v. Rokicki
718 N.E. 2d 333 (Ill. App. 1999)
1. Facts
 KennethRokicki chargedwithahate crime basedonthe predicate offenseof disorderly
conduct.
 He yelledgayslursatthe serverof a PizzaHut andwas makinga scene towardsthe
manager
 Sgt. ChristopherMerrittdidabrief interview withRokicki
 He wantedthe chargesdismisseddue toitbeingunconstitutional,trial courtdeniesthe
motion
 Rokicki waivesthe righttojuryand isgivena benchtrial
 Is convicted,sentencedtoserve a2 yr probation,with100 hrs of communityservice,
angermanagementcounseling,isn’tallowedtoenteranyPizzaHutrestaurantor
contact the victim
 Rokicki appealssayingthatthe hate crime statute isunconstitutionallybroadand
therefore violatesthe 1st
amendment
 Convictionandsentence affirmed
2. Issues
Is the hate crime statute unconstitutionalbecause itistoobroad?
Doesthisstatute chill free speech?
Is the statute constitutionallyimpermissiblebecause itdiscriminatesbasedonthe contentof an
offender’sbeliefs?
3. Holdings
No,affirmed
No,affirmed
No,affirmed
4. Reasoning
The overbreadthdoctrine protectsfreedomof speechguaranteedbythe 1st
amendmentby
invalidatinglawssobroadlywrittenthatthe fearof prosecutionwoulddiscourage peoplefrom
expressingthatfreedom
Theyusedthe R.A.V.vsCityof St.Paul to counterRokicki’spointbysayingthatisonly
recognizedlimitstodiscriminationregardingconduct,notspeech.
TheythenusedWisconsinv.Mitchell tosaythe state isfree to determineasa matterof sound
publicpolicythatbias-motivatedcrimescreatedgreaterharmthanidentical conductnot
motivatedbybiasandshouldbe punishedmore harshly.