98°F
weather icon Clear
Las Vegas, NV
News

Fortune teller prompts debate over licensing

September 5, 2007 - 9:00 pm
 

Clark County attorneys plan to revisit their business licensing laws after a lengthy debate about whether fortune telling is a First Amendment right.

Until attorneys determine whether psychic arts are a form of free speech, commissioners on Tuesday granted fortune teller Debbie Marks a limited one-year business license to operate her shop at 900 E. Desert Inn Road.

Commissioners were reluctant to issue the license after Marks declined to meet with Las Vegas police detectives who were conducting an investigation into her reputation and character. Police also wanted to determine what stream of income is being used to fund the business.

The police interviews are routine for business owners opening a business that is not considered free speech.

Marks' attorney, Barry Fisher of Los Angeles, argued to commissioners that fortune telling is a form of free speech and therefore Marks should not have to subject herself to a police interview.

The commission granted the license to Marks on the condition she meets with police within the next 30 days.

Commissioner Chris Guinchigliani, who oversees the district where Marks plans to open her shop, agreed to host the meeting.

MOST READ
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
The Costco store on Marks Street in Henderson is seen in a photo. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Revi ...
Costco fans are begging for a new feature on the app
By Melissa Copelton Parade

Big-box retailers like Costco encourage in-store purchases, but still offer online services, including their mobile app. According to some Costco shoppers on Reddit, the app is missing one very important feature.

Chris Hosey, Director of Georgia Bureau of Investigation, speaks about the details of the shoot ...
Shooter attacked CDC headquarters to protest COVID-19 vaccines
By Charlotte Kramon and Jeff Martin The Associated Press

Patrick Joseph White also had recently verbalized thoughts of suicide, which led to law enforcement being contacted several weeks before the shooting, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said.

Law enforcement investigates a shooting at Target off Research Boulevard, near Ohlen Road in Au ...
Fatal shooting at a Target in Texas leaves 3 dead, suspect detained
By NADIA LATHAN Associated Press

A gunman opened fire Monday in a Target store parking lot in the Texas capital, killing at least three people, then stole two cars during a getaway that ended with police using a Taser to detain him on the other side of the city, authorities said.

MORE STORIES