Court: Pledge Critic Can Represent Self

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court said Monday that the California atheist who wants the words "under God" stripped from the Pledge of Allegiance can argue before the court next year.

The court granted an exception to Michael Newdow, a doctor and lawyer who is not a member of the Supreme Court Bar but wanted to argue the case himself.

Newdow has been writing and filing his own legal arguments so far, but he hasn't had his law license for the three-years required to qualify for the Supreme Court Bar.

The court did not comment in granting his request. Justice Antonin Scalia, who has recused himself from the case, did not participate in the decision. Scalia had been criticized for bringing up the Pledge of Allegiance case during a speech at a religious event early this year.

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