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

Pjur Introduces 'SachetCard' Dispenser at Düsseldorf's 'Sex Now' Exhibition

Pjur has introduced its SachetCard dispenser at the Sex Now exhibition at NRW-Forum in Düsseldorf.

AV Bulletin: Canada, Italy, Australia Updates

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, more state age verification laws have been enacted around the United States, as well as proposed at the federal level and in other countries. This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Virginia 'Porn Tax' Bill Delayed Until 2027

A Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee on Monday voted to postpone until next year consideration of a bill that would impose a 10% tax on the gross receipts of adult websites doing business in that state.

Orion Unveils New Styles From 'Svenjoyment Bondage' Line

Orion Wholesale has released three new styles from its Svenjoyment Bondage line.

Full Circle Introduces 'Sparkle' Plug Collection

Full Circle has debuted its new Sparkle line of jeweled anal plugs.

Kheper Releases 'Let's F*ck!' Scratch Tickets

Kheper Games has debuted its new "Let’s F*ck!" novelty scratch tickets.

Virginia Becomes Latest State to Weigh 'Porn Tax'

The Virginia House of Delegates is considering a bill that would impose a 10% tax on the gross receipts of adult websites doing business in that state.

Sportsheets Releases New Training Video for 'Edge' Collection

Sportsheets has released its latest training video, hosted by Brand Ambassador Rin Musick, featuring the company's recently expanded Edge collection.

Magic Silk Debuts 'Satin Petals' Collection

Magic Silk has introduced its new Satin Petals line of lingerie.

Male Power Expands 'Soo Cumfy' Collection

Male Power has expanded its Soo Cumfy collection of men's underwear.

Show More