U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Case Of Paterson Cop Demoted In Lawn-Sign Flap

PATERSON, N.J. -- A former Paterson police detective will finally get the chance to make his case before the U.S. Supreme Court in January, according to a report in NJ Advance Media.

Former Paterson police detective Jeffrey Heffernan will get to have his case heard this January by the U.S. Supreme Court, according to media reports.
Photo Credit: *Gianna Volpe*

Carol Reif

10/05/2015 6:00 p.m.

Jeffrey Heffernan, a 20-year veteran, sued the city after it demoted him to foot patrol in 2006, according to the report.

Heffernan claimed the demotion was retaliatory because it occurred after he was spotted picking up a campaign sign for his ailing mother, NJ Advance Media reported.

The lawn sign happened to be for Lawrence Spagnola, who was running in Paterson against the incumbent mayor, Jose Torres, the report said.

Heffernan, who retired in 2011, claimed the city had violated his First Amendment rights, NJ Advance Media said. He won the first round in federal court and was awarded more than $100,000 in damages, the report said.

However, a judge later tossed the award and the U.S. Court of Appeals eventually found in the city’s favor, ruling that, since Heffernan was picking up the sign for his mother, and was not actively campaigning for Spagnola, he could not legally invoke the First Amendment, according to the report.

For the full story, click here.

Click here to follow Daily Voice South Passaic and receive free news updates.