Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Texas

playing guitar on the streets for a non-profit org.

I have started a non-profit org. to help support no kill animal shelters and start a fund to help with vet bills for the elderly and people that can't afford emergency vet care for their pets. I have been threatened with tickets for ''gypsy vending'' and soliciting playing guitar on the streets for tips that go towards this cause. I have tried to get a permit in Dallas, Mesquite, and Garland Texas and have been told none exist. Do I have any rights to play on the streets for tips, if I obey all right of way laws and don't restrict traffic of any kind? My org is a ministry and I am ordained as an independant clergy. I also have an EIN # and the org is listed with the IRS.


Asked on 12/13/06, 10:19 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: playing guitar on the streets for a non-profit org.

While your purpose is noble and praiseworthy, your religious status and the official status of your organization does not make you exempt from the enforcement of city ordinances prohibiting your activity. Your only hope would be that the ordinance would be unconstitutional for vagueness. You would have to have a lawyer analyze the ordinance to determine that.

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Answered on 12/13/06, 11:22 pm


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