COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (CN) - Curtis Norton, an agnostic, says he was "deeply offended and disturbed by the overt and constant religious expressions and frequent prayer" at the Alcoholic Anonymous meetings his probation officer forced him to attend twice a week for a DUI conviction. He claims he was arrested and jailed for violating probation, "in part because of his refusal to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings."
Norton claims his sentencing to AA meetings violates his First Amendment rights. He sued Kootenai County; Kootenai County Adult Misdemeanor Probation Department; Marc Anderson, employee of the Kootenai County Adult Misdemeanor Probation Department; and Mike Wall, departmental head of the Kootenai County Adult Misdemeanor Probation Department, in Federal Court. He is represented by Larry Purviance.
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