People v. Jacqueline Walker

This case presents the question of whether a municipality may lawfully prohibit its youths from engaging in the now popular pastime of playing electronic video games. We find the matter to be somewhat novel and of no small constitutional importance. The factual background is comparatively straightforward.

The City of Warren, a home-rule city, MCL 117.1 et seq.; MSA 5.2071 et seq., enacted an ordinance which under the general licensing rubric prohibited a youth under the age of 17 from any public association or involvement with electronic video games without his parent or guardian being…