A self-proclaimed “Christmas Lawyer” has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review his legal battle with a homeowners association (HOA) over his extravagant holiday light display, which he argues is a matter of religious freedom and property rights.
The Case Against the HOA
Jeremy Morris, an attorney and advocate for religious expression, gained widespread attention in 2015 when he hosted a five-day Christmas light show near Hayden, Idaho, to raise funds for families with children battling cancer. The elaborate display, featuring 700,000 lights, live music, and even a camel, drew large crowds but sparked opposition from his HOA.
The HOA claimed Morris’s display violated community rules on noise, brightness, and crowd size. A letter from the HOA also speculated that the event might offend “non-Christians,” prompting Morris to accuse the association of religious discrimination under the Fair Housing Act.
Court Battles and Mixed Rulings
Morris initially won his case in 2018, with a jury unanimously siding with him and awarding $75,000 in damages. However, federal Judge B. Lynn Winmill later overturned the verdict, ordering Morris to pay the HOA $111,000 in legal fees and ruling that the dispute was about community rule violations, not religious discrimination.
The case advanced to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2020, where a panel affirmed the judge’s decision but acknowledged evidence suggesting the HOA’s actions were partially motivated by Morris’s religious expression. The court left the door open for a new trial, but Morris opted to appeal directly to the Supreme Court.
A Constitutional Fight
Morris argues that his case highlights critical constitutional rights, including religious freedom, property rights, and the protection of unanimous jury verdicts. “The right to celebrate Christmas in accordance with our family’s faith traditions and to use our property to express that faith are core to 250 years of American jurisprudence,” Morris said.
The HOA declined to oppose Morris’s Supreme Court petition, with their attorney calling the case an “isolated dispute” unlikely to merit review by the justices.
The Origins of the Dispute
The controversy began when Morris moved to a new neighborhood in 2015 after his inaugural Christmas show. The HOA immediately tried to prevent him from repeating the event, citing community covenants and potential disruptions. Despite legal threats, Morris proceeded with his display, including shuttle buses, live nativity scenes, and musical performances.
Tensions escalated as neighbors reportedly harassed attendees, and Morris’s family received threats. In 2017, he filed a lawsuit alleging religious discrimination.
What’s Next?
Morris remains hopeful that the Supreme Court will take up his case, emphasizing its implications for religious and constitutional freedoms. If the court agrees to hear it, the decision could set a significant precedent for property rights and religious expression in HOA disputes.
Key Takeaways:
- Jeremy Morris’s Christmas display case highlights constitutional issues of religious freedom and property rights.
- The Supreme Court is being asked to review mixed rulings from lower courts.
- The outcome could impact how homeowners associations handle religious and expressive rights.
Source: Fox News