Georgia Courts to Allow Religious Head Coverings

July 24, 2009

Author: Greg Bluestein

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hV06rZEk-p1KyWypLPvzMCzwOuTAD99L318O0

Georgia courtrooms will allow religious headgear after last year's arrest of a Muslim woman who refused to remove her headscarf in a west Georgia courthouse.

The Judicial Council of Georgia voted unanimously this week to allow religious and medical headgear into Georgia courtrooms. It also allows a person to request a private inspection if a security officer wants to conduct a search.

"If this had been a nun, no one would have required her to remove her habit," said Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Carol Hunstein, who heads the Judicial Council. "I think this is a good rule, and I think it's clear."