Michigan Rule of Evidence 611 has just been revised, giving judges the power to determine what witnesses should wear in their courtroom.  Recently, a divided Michigan Supreme Court approved this rule, despite protests from the American Civil Liberties Union that the rule should contain an exception for religion attire.

The issue just decided by the Michigan Supreme Court originally arose when a Muslim woman, Ginnah Muhammad, testifying in a 2006 small claims case, was asked by the judge to remove her niqab.  The judge, 31st District Judge Paul Paruk, asked her to do this so that he could see her face and judge her truthfulness.  When Muhammad refused, the judge dismissed her case.  Her subsequent federal suit against Judge Paruk was also later dismissed.

The Michigan Supreme Court ruling, a 5-2 decision, gives judges the power to require that witnesses remove head and facial coverings.  To read Martha Neil's full report on this case click here.