The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the Stolen Valor Act, which made it a crime to lie about receiving military medals.

By a 6-3 decision, the high court said the right to lie about medals and military service, while unattractive, is protected by the 1st Amendment.

The decision came in the case of Xavier Alvarez, a former member of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District in Southern California. Alvarez had claimed he was a former Marine and recipient of the Medal of Honor; in fact, he had never served in the military.

Alvarez, a resident of Pomona, was sentenced to three years probation, a $5,000 fine and community service. His attorneys appealed; the 9th Circuit of Appeals upheld his appeal, and the Department of Justice appealed to the Supreme Court.

The law was passed by Congress in 2005 and signed by President George W. Bush. It called for a possible one-year prison term.

ALSO:

Stockton bankruptcy: Southland cities try to avoid similar fate

L.A. Zoo should have seen chimpanzee warning signs, critic says

Supreme Court ruling on Stolen Valor Act rests on 1st Amendment

— Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the Stolen Valor Act, which made it a crime to lie about receiving military medals. Credit: Kenneth Weiss / Los Angeles Times