Supreme Court opinions are replete with references to “parties,” “plaintiffs” and “defendants.” In criminal cases, it’s the “prosecution” and “defense.” But now a whole new terminology may be needed. That’s because they are being asked to overturn a “cordon of silence” they have established on their own front porch that protects them from speech they might find offensive, possibly in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

Does an employer’s request for a welfare check on a man who has a gun but has made no threats to harm himself or others warrant holding him for two hours? That’s what a judge will determine in Benjamin Burruss’ lawsuit against five Albemarle police officers and the county for unlawful seizure, false imprisonment and battery when the officers made a welfare check on Burruss November 21, 2013.

A constitutional law expert believes a New Jersey case indicates the erosion of free-speech rights in America.

The announcement that the FBI bypassed Apple to crack open a terrorist's IPhone is sparking new fears about privacy. Apple refused to hand over the data to the FBI in order to protect user privacy. Charlottesville's Rutherford Institute, which concentrates on civil liberties, is weighing in with its concerns.

An incident happened in July 2014 at Willie Mays Plaza in front of the Giants ballpark, when Gino Emmerich displayed the religious sign at a Giants-Dodgers game. Rutherford Institute founder John Whitehead picks up the story from there, explaining that Emmerich displayed his sign, along with other sports-themed signs, during an ESPN broadcast.

The Charlottesville City Council continues to face criticism for its new meeting procedures, which were used for the first time Monday. While nearly all of the recent barbs against the council’s decision have been leveled by constituents, the Rutherford Institute, an Albemarle County-based nonprofit that advocates for civil liberties, waded into the debate this week, calling for the procedures to be changed.

Constitutional lawyer John Whitehead is worried the revisions made to Charlottesville City Council meetings infringe on public comments and that this could turn people away.

Almost 35 years ago today, John Lennon was assassinated. And we still haven't taken his advice. Isn't it time we give peace a chance? Today on #OffTheGrid, Jesse Ventura discusses how the Beatle inspires constitutional attorney and Rutherford Institute founder, John W. Whitehead, to fight for his own revolution in this country. Do you think it's time for a revolution? 

On October 13, 2015, John W. Whitehead appeared on Glenn Beck’s radio show to discuss Smart Cities, global police and some of The Rutherford Institute’s cases. “John Whitehead does amazing work,” noted Beck at the conclusion of the interview.

A public school in Wyoming ignored plans for "America Day" during its homecoming week over concerns the name was "uncomfortable" to some students.

In response to a Fourth Amendment lawsuit filed by attorneys for the Rutherford Institute, government officials insist they had “probable cause” to arrest a 37-year-old disabled man, allegedly because of his slurred speech and unsteady gait.

The Supreme Court is designated as the ultimate protector of constitutional rights, but the guarantee of protest and free speech ends on the steps to the plaza in front of the court’s grand marble temple, a unanimous federal appeals court panel ruled Friday.

The Rutherford Institute has filed a lawsuit against the TSA over its unregulated use of whole body imagers, which have been likened to virtual strip searches, in the nation’s airports. Security experts have described whole body scanners as the equivalent of "a physically invasive strip-search."

The Albemarle County-based Rutherford Institute is suing the Transportation Security Administration for its use of whole-body imaging scanners in U.S. airports, which the nonprofit likens to “virtual strip searches.”

Calling them “virtual strip searches,” a coalition of civil rights organizations are suing the Transportation Security Agency over body imaging scanners.