The Washington Supreme Court [official website] Thursday found an antibegging ordinance [text, PDF] under the Lakewood Municipal Code [materials] to be unconstitutional on First Amendment [text] grounds. The court found that the ordinance restricted protected speech in a public forum and was therefore invalid. The restrictions, which the court referred to as “content-based,” prohibited begging in several areas such as ramps, intersections, bus stops, or within 25 feet of an ATM.

Robert Willis was convicted in 2012 under the ordinance. He was arrested for reportedly walking in and out of the lanes of traffic on an exit ramp. He had a sign with him requesting help. Willis was charged with “Begging In Restrictive Areas” and he was sentenced to the maximum-90 days in jail and a $1000 fine. The jail time and $750 of the fine were ultimately suspended. Willis argued that the code violated his free speech and that it was unconstitutionally vague.