Novak v. City of Parma et al.

Emmett was retained by The Babylon Bee, the world’s largest satirical news site, to write an amicus brief on its behalf for submission to the United States Supreme Court in this case.  The case concerns Anthony Novak, a resident of Parma, Ohio, wrongly prosecuted for creating a Facebook parody page mocking the Parma Police Department.  At issue is whether the doctrine of qualified immunity bars Mr. Novak from suing Parma and the police officers who arrested and jailed him.  The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said yes: Mr. Novak cannot hold the city and police officers accountable in civil court.  Mr. Novak has asked the Supreme Court to review and reverse that decision.  The case has major First Amendment implications, especially for parodists like The Bee.  Emmett’s brief garnered significant press attention.  The accompanying parody brief is also definitely worth a read!