Benning V. Vermont: Case Study

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Brian Dominguez GPH-704 Public Health Ethics – Legal Analysis Benning v. Vermont Introduction: In 1989, plaintiff Joseph Benning was cited for a violation of § 1256 for operating a motorcycle without wearing approved headgear in Caledonia County, Vermont. The statue states that “No person may operate or ride upon a motorcycle upon a highway unless he wears upon his head protective headgear reflectorized in part and of a type approved by the commissioner.1 The headgear shall be equipped with either a neck or chin strap.1” The County State’s Attorney dismissed the citation because he deemed the statue vague and unable to establish the elements necessary to prosecute the crime.1 However, the plaintiffs filed suit against the state, seeking to have § 1256 declared unconstitutional. The plaintiffs asserted three arguments against the statue; including that the statue was contradictory to the intent of the Vermont Constitution, the statue is void for ambiguity, and the statue denies plaintiffs equal protection of the laws.1 The plaintiffs based their argument that safety and liberty are natural, inherent, and unalienable rights guaranteed by Chapter 1, Article 1 of the Vermont Constitution.1 The article states “That all men are born equally free and independent, and have …show more content…

In Title 23, Chapter 316.211 of Florida’s constitution, the law states that “A person may not operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless the person is properly wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head which complies with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218 promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation.2” The Florida statue is actually more stringent on helmet laws than Vermont’s statue. In Florida, a person cannot operate/ride a motorcycle without helmet, while in Vermont it’s only regulated while riding a motorcycle on

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