A federal judge has put Indiana's so-called "buffer law" on hold, ruling that it may be unconstitutional for being too vague.
The law, passed in 2023, prohibits bystanders from being within 25 feet of an on-duty police officer after being told to back up. Several Indiana media organizations sued the state last year, claiming the law infringes on First Amendment rights.
In a ruling Friday, the judge said the law is unconstitutional for being too vague, noting that it allows police to order someone to move at least 25 feet for no reason.
The judge also said the law doesn't specify what actions would require police to ask bystanders to move.
A second lawsuit over the law, filed in the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is still open.
