Stolen Valor Act news

Mary sends us a link to the news that the Alabama State Senate has voted to increase the penalties for wearing medals and badges for tangible benefit.

The bill imposes a minimum fine of $5,000 and makes it a Class A misdemeanor for a person to falsely represent themselves as a recipient of a military decoration or medal — including, but not limited to the Purple Heart and Silver Star — in order to obtain money, property, or a tangible benefit. A similar offense with the Congressional Medal of Honor would be a Class C felony.

[…]

The Stolen Valor Act passed the Senate unanimously and is headed back to the House for consideration of the Senate’s revisions.

Meanwhile, in Delaware, they’re hard at work passing their own Stolen Valor Act to stiffen penalties, too;

Stolen valor could soon be considered a form of “criminal impersonation” in the state of Delaware. Republican State Representative Rich Collins introduced a bill that hopes to expand the current law.

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This bill, identified as House Bill 80 would consider stolen valor a class A misdemeanor and would carry a minimum fine of $1,000.

We’re told the bill has “modest” bipartisan support and is currently pending action in the House Judiciary Committee.

The Wisconsin State Assembly demonstrates how seriously they’re taking the issue;

The Stolen Valor bill is one step closer to becoming law in Wisconsin. The state assembly passed the bill making it illegal to lie about military service. Anyone convicted faces up to six years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

I’m guessing we won’t see many valor thieves in Wisconsin with that much at stake. But then, they all think they’re smarter than the rest of us, anyway.

Category: Stolen Valor Act