In June 2001 Sult was observed wearing a T shirt printed with a star and the word "SHERIFF"in 5-inch letters. A sheriff's officer asked her if she worked for his department, and she said yes, producing an employee identification card from her wallet. This had been issued to her earlier when she worked for the sheriff's department, though she no longer did. She was arrested under a statute forbidding the unlawful display of police badges and other indicia of authority. She challenged the constitutionality of the statute, but the trial court found her guilty and the Second District Court affirmed.