Lawsuit dropped after Springfield repeals panhandling law

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A man has dropped his federal lawsuit against Springfield over its aggressive solicitation ordinance after the city repealed the law.

The Springfield News-Leader reported 61-year-old Bobby Honicutt's motion to dismiss the case Tuesday says all claims have been resolved.

The suit, filed on his behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union, said the city's law was unconstitutional.

"Springfield's panhandling ordinance is both confusing and overreaching in that it states it does not intend to limit any person's constitutional rights and then proceeds to profoundly restrict acts that are well-established examples of free speech," said Tony Rothert, the ACLU of Missouri's legal director.

In January 2014, the city council passed a stricter panhandling ordinance that defined panhandling as including a verbal request. It said silent solicitation was illegal within 5 feet of a highway off ramp or street.

The suit said that in November Honicutt held a sign asking for money on a public sidewalk, and an officer warned him he would give him a ticket if he didn't stop soliciting. Honicutt had "fallen on hard times," according to the suit, and had sought information on city ordinances so he wouldn't be in violation while panhandling for money to support his family.

The city council repealed the law in February after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against enforcing it.

City attorney Dan Wichmer had advised the council such laws were being struck down across the nation. Councilwoman Kristi Fulnecky was the only one who voted to keep the law.

Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com