Published on April 1, 2026
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against Monongalia County Commissioners Jeff Arnett, Tom Bloom, and Sean Sikora, alongside Sheriff Todd Forbes, are seeking a partial summary judgment in a case pertaining to the county’s regulations on panhandling.
The lawsuit, which was filed last year, challenges the legality of certain local ordinances that the plaintiffs argue infringe upon their constitutional rights. The plaintiffs assert that these regulations disproportionately target vulnerable populations, there and homelessness in the area.
In a motion submitted to U.S. District Court, the plaintiffs’ attorneys argue that the laws in question serve no legitimate state interest and fail to provide a constitutional basis for their enforcement. They insist that the county’s actions not only violate the First Amendment right to free speech but also the Fourteenth Amendment right to due process.
This case has garnered significant attention from various advocacy groups, who argue that panhandling should be viewed through the lens of public safety and humanitarian assistance rather than criminality. They contend that rather than imposing restrictions, local governments should focus on addressing the root causes of poverty and homelessness.
Legal experts suggest that a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs could have broader implications for similar cases across the country, potentially prompting a re-evaluation of how municipalities regulate panhandling and related activities.
As the case unfolds, community members and local officials remain divided on the issue, with some voicing support for the need to maintain public order, while others emphasize the importance of compassion and understanding towards those in desperate situations. The court’s decision on the motion for partial summary judgment is eagerly awaited and could shape the future of panhandling laws in Monongalia County and beyond.
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