Coleman v. City of Mesa

OPINION

TIMMER, Presiding Judge.

¶ 1 This appeal presents our first opportunity to consider the First Amendment rights of tattoo artists to ply their trade in Arizona. In doing so, we decide whether the superior court erred by dismissing a complaint filed by appellants Ryan and Laetitia Coleman (the “Colemans”) against the City of Mesa and others (collectively, “Mesa”) for denying the Colemans’ request for a permit to operate a tattoo parlor within the city. We hold that obtaining a tattoo, applying a tattoo, and engaging in the business of tattooing are exercises of free speech entitled to…