ChinChin
Regular Member
imported post
With the slew of recent Police misconduct towards citizens OCing (Alexandria x3, Norfolk, VA Beach x2, Manassas), I’ve been mulling over ways to level the playing field.
What is the possibility of VCDL offering up a program where we keep Rich Gardiner, Mike, or some other approved lawyer on-deck for continued harassment by the police? As a VCDL member, I wouldn’t think twice about ponying up an additional 50 or 100 bucks a year as a simple “one phone call” option to act as our lawyer during these harassment stops. I know that I for one am not the best orator and can get stymied easily. I’m not sure I would know what to say and when to say it, unlike those with more experience in this arena.
In a nutshell, those who opted in got a business card with Rich’s (or whoever’s) cell/office number on it that they give to the officer during the confrontation or as soon as it became obvious an officer wasn't enforcing any law, but was enforcing via editorializing. In all the recent accounts, the one recurring theme the officials say is “you can get your lawyer” or “you’re not a lawyer.” Fine. . .here they are! If needs be, VCDL membersmake the "one phone call" should the policewant to question or detain us and then Rich or whoever offers up the essentials.
Did my client commit a crime? Are they suspected of committing a crime? No. . .you’re talking to them because some other citizen is uncomfortable?What is your name and badge number? SergeantMucci? great! Sergeant, I’m advising my client to walk away from you now and go about their business as you're not lawfully acting in any enforcement capacity, Stop harassing my client right now, or “something really bad” actually will happen to you!
Obviously not everybody would want to opt-into a program like this, but I’m sure as an “Add on” membership option, we could drum up enough interest to make it worth the councilors time. It would also start getting the word out that the local 2[suP]nd[/suP] Amendment activists are through playing the BS cop games and are willing to escalate the issue to the next level and have all “lawyered up.”
Just an idea I’d like to throw out for comment.
With the slew of recent Police misconduct towards citizens OCing (Alexandria x3, Norfolk, VA Beach x2, Manassas), I’ve been mulling over ways to level the playing field.
What is the possibility of VCDL offering up a program where we keep Rich Gardiner, Mike, or some other approved lawyer on-deck for continued harassment by the police? As a VCDL member, I wouldn’t think twice about ponying up an additional 50 or 100 bucks a year as a simple “one phone call” option to act as our lawyer during these harassment stops. I know that I for one am not the best orator and can get stymied easily. I’m not sure I would know what to say and when to say it, unlike those with more experience in this arena.
In a nutshell, those who opted in got a business card with Rich’s (or whoever’s) cell/office number on it that they give to the officer during the confrontation or as soon as it became obvious an officer wasn't enforcing any law, but was enforcing via editorializing. In all the recent accounts, the one recurring theme the officials say is “you can get your lawyer” or “you’re not a lawyer.” Fine. . .here they are! If needs be, VCDL membersmake the "one phone call" should the policewant to question or detain us and then Rich or whoever offers up the essentials.
Did my client commit a crime? Are they suspected of committing a crime? No. . .you’re talking to them because some other citizen is uncomfortable?What is your name and badge number? SergeantMucci? great! Sergeant, I’m advising my client to walk away from you now and go about their business as you're not lawfully acting in any enforcement capacity, Stop harassing my client right now, or “something really bad” actually will happen to you!
Obviously not everybody would want to opt-into a program like this, but I’m sure as an “Add on” membership option, we could drum up enough interest to make it worth the councilors time. It would also start getting the word out that the local 2[suP]nd[/suP] Amendment activists are through playing the BS cop games and are willing to escalate the issue to the next level and have all “lawyered up.”
Just an idea I’d like to throw out for comment.
