Amish men convicted over buggy signs

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Two Western Kentucky Amish men were convicted for refusing to put slow-moving-vehicle emblems on their buggies and could face jail time, authorities said.

The men, of the strict Old Order Swartzentruber Amish sect, refused to use the bright orange-red triangle state law mandates on buggies and certain other slow-moving vehicles, The (Lousiville) Courier-Journal reported Monday.

Many Amish groups use the triangles without religious objection, the newspaper said.

One of two men convicted Monday, John Hostetler, 26, presented a statement from his community stating its objections to the symbol, saying its "loud, flashy color" violates the sect's rules requiring the use of modest colors.

Hostetler was convicted of misdemeanor charges of failing to use the symbol and assessed $321 in fines and court costs.

Levi Zook, 32, was assessed $153 for his conviction on the same charge.

Both indicated they would not pay, and Judge Deborah Hawkins Crooks gave them until Jan. 12 to pay the fines or be jailed for contempt of court.