2ND DCA Rules Florida Law Banning Loud Car Music Unconstitutional
LAKELAND, Florida — A Florida law making it illegal to blast loud music or other audio from a car stereo system has been declared unconstitutional.
A three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland ruled Wednesday in a pair of Pinellas County cases. Both motorists were cited for playing their car radios too loudly.
The judges found the law is an unconstitutional suppression of free speech because it arbitrarily exempts vehicles used for business or political purposes.
They also ruled a provision making it illegal for sound to be “plainly audible” from 25 feet or more away from a vehicle was unconstitutionally vague.
The panel, though, agreed to certify the vagueness issue to the Florida Supreme Court for further review as a question of great public importance.
