California Municipal Law Blog
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Meetings

Disruptive Behavior at Public Meetings: Balancing the Constitutional Rights of Citizens with the Duty to Conduct Meetings in an Orderly Manner

by on April 14, 2015

posted in Meetings,

During the course of their public service, many council members and staff will encounter the displeased citizen who often seems more intent on disrupting the governmental process than contributing to it in any meaningful way.  When this scenario is encountered, council members and staff will naturally desire to take steps to control the situation and ensure that the People’s business is not impeded.  Notwithstanding this natural inclination, council members and staff must be careful not to infringe upon the Constitutional and statutory rights of citizens.  This requires the conscientious balance ... Continue Reading

tags: Disruptive citizens, First Amendment, Public Comment, Public meetings,