U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Ala. Sex Toy Ban Case

LAS VEGAS — Adult shop owner Sherri Williams has told XBIZ that the U.S. Supreme Court will not hear her case challenging Alabama's sex toy ban, ending an almost 10-year fight against the law.

The sale of adult toys is now been deemed officially illegal in the state, she said.

"The next step for me is they'll arrest me and put me in jail," Williams said, adding that each offense could bring her a year of hard labor.

"I guess [it] will be a very long time because I have probably 4,900 offenses in my store,' Williams said.

Williams said that in hopes to avoid being prosecuted to the full extent, she has decided to file another lawsuit challenging the validity of Alabama's ban on the sale of sex toys and will hire a 1st Amendment lawyer to do so.

Alabama law states that adult toys may be sold legally for medical, educational and artistic purposes — not for self-gratification — but the law also states that it is against the law to advertise them.

"How can you sell something you can't advertise?" Williams said.

Now Williams said she will wait to see if the state attorney general will decide to postpone prosecution while her new lawsuit is pending, or put her in jail and require she file the suit in prison.

"Because they gave absolutely no guidance whatsoever when they passed this law," Williams said, "now they have to scramble to figure out how to enforce it, and I don't foresee they'll be able to figure that out in the next 30 days."

Williams said she found out about the court's decision today at 9 a.m. and has called a press conference to relay the news while at the International Lingerie Show in the Rio Suites Hotel.

Williams first challenged the law in 1998, claiming it violated a slew of civil rights, and a year later it was found unconstitutional by a federal trial judge. However, an 11th Circuit panel said Alabama can police the sale of "any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs."

A recent decision made by the 11th Circuit panel held that "public morality remains a legitimate rational basis for the challenged legislation," and once again deemed the ban constitutional.

Williams current attorneys, Roger Wilcox and Paul Cambria of New York law firm Lipsitz, Green, Scime, Cambria, were unavailable for comment at press time.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Male Power Debuts Limited-Edition 'Kilauea' Collection

Male Power has introduced its new limited-edition Kilauea collection of men's underwear.

FSC Launches Privacy-First Age Verification Solution for Members

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that it has granted members exclusive access to the PrivateAV age verification solution.

Pjur Introduces 'Man Lust' Pleasure Gel

Pjur has debuted its new Man Lust stimulating pleasure gel with spilanthol.

Brazil: New AV Requirements Set to Take Effect March 17

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva this week gave final approval to new regulations requiring adult websites to age-verify users located in Brazil starting March 17.

Orion Debuts 'Duo Vibrator' From 'Couples Choice' Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the Duo Vibrator from its Couples Choice line.

Kheper Releases New 'Reverse Adult Charades' Party Game

Kheper Games has released the new Reverse Adult Charades party game.

Nalpac/Entrenue, Jen Jenivive Sign US Distro Deal

Nalpac/Entrenue and U.K.-based author Jen Jenivive have signed an exclusive U.S. distribution deal for Jenivive’s books.

Male Power Debuts 'Open Ended' Collection

Male Power has introduced its new Open Ended collection of men's underwear.

Utah 'Porn Tax' Bill With VPN Provisions Passes State Senate

The Utah state Senate has passed a bill that would impose a 2% tax on the revenues of adult websites doing business in that state, and make sites liable if Utah minors use VPNs to circumvent geolocation.

Magic Silk Debuts 'Euro Lux' Collection

Magic Silk has introduced its new Euro Lux line of lingerie.

Show More