High court torn over law banning lies about medals

In this photo taken Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, Doug and Pam Sterner are photographed in their home in Alexandria, Va. Pam is the author of a college paper that led to the drafting of a federal law in 2006, the Stolen Valor Act, aimed at curbing false claims of military valor, and Doug exposes phony medal winners. The law is at the heart of a Supreme Court review, and veterans groups have come to the aid of the Obama administration, which calls the law a narrowly crafted effort to protect the system of military awards that was established during the Revolutionary war by Gen. George Washington. The high court will hear the case Wednesday Feb. 22, 2012 which is Washington's 280th birthday. Photo: Carolyn Kaster / AP

FILE - In this undated file photo Gen. George Washington leads his troops across the Delaware River in this painting by Emmanuel G. Leutze, Dec. 1776, during the Revolutionary War. A 2006 federal law, the Stolen Valor Act, aimed at curbing false claims of military valor, is at the heart of a Supreme Court review, and veterans groups have come to the aid of the Obama administration, which calls the law a narrowly crafted effort to protect the system of military awards that was established during the Revolutionary war by Gen. George Washington. The high court will hear the case Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 which is Washington's 280th birthday. Photo: AP / AP

FILE - In this undated file photo Gen. George Washington leads his troops across the Delaware River in this painting by Emmanuel G. Leutze, Dec. 1776, during the Revolutionary War. A 2006 federal law, the Stolen Valor Act, aimed at curbing false claims of military valor, is at the heart of a Supreme Court review, and veterans groups have come to the aid of the Obama administration, which calls the law a narrowly crafted effort to protect the system of military awards that was established during the Revolutionary war by Gen. George Washington. The high court will hear the case Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 which is Washington's 280th birthday. Photo: AP / AP

In this photo taken Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, Doug and Pam Sterner are photographed in their home in Alexandria, Va. Pam is the author of a college paper that led to the drafting of a federal law in 2006, the Stolen Valor Act, aimed at curbing false claims of military valor, and Doug exposes phony medal winners. The Supreme Court appears to be sharply divided over a law that makes it a crime to lie about having been awarded top military honors. The justices engaged in spirited debate Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, over the constitutionality of a 2006 law aimed at curbing false claims about military exploits. Some justices said they worried that upholding the Stolen Valor Act could lead to laws that might make it illegal to lie about an extramarital affair or a college degree. But others indicated that the law is narrowly drawn to try to prevent people from demeaning the system of military honors that was established by Gen. George Washington in 1782. Photo: Carolyn Kaster / AP

In this photo taken Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, Doug and Pam Sterner are photographed in their home in Alexandria, Va. Pam is the author of a college paper that led to the drafting of a federal law in 2006, the Stolen Valor Act, aimed at curbing false claims of military valor, and Doug exposes phony medal winners. The Supreme Court appears to be sharply divided over a law that makes it a crime to lie about having been awarded top military honors. The justices engaged in spirited debate Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, over the constitutionality of a 2006 law aimed at curbing false claims about military exploits. Some justices said they worried that upholding the Stolen Valor Act could lead to laws that might make it illegal to lie about an extramarital affair or a college degree. But others indicated that the law is narrowly drawn to try to prevent people from demeaning the system of military honors that was established by Gen. George Washington in 1782. Photo: Carolyn Kaster / AP

FILE - In this undated file photo Gen. George Washington leads his troops across the Delaware River in this painting by Emmanuel G. Leutze, in December 1776, during the Revolutionary War. The Supreme Court appears to be sharply divided over a law that makes it a crime to lie about having been awarded top military honors. The justices engaged in spirited debate Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, over the constitutionality of a 2006 law aimed at curbing false claims about military exploits. Some justices said they worried that upholding the Stolen Valor Act could lead to laws that might make it illegal to lie about an extramarital affair or a college degree. But others indicated that the law is narrowly drawn to try to prevent people from demeaning the system of military honors that was established by Gen. George Washington in 1782. Photo: AP / AP