I went to court on my misdemeanor ticket Wednesday April 27 - it was 'reduced' to an infraction which means I can't get a PD or a jury trial. I go back on May 18th to make my plea. I am looking for a pro bono lawyer to help with the case - this is a classic violation of Free Speech and needs to be defended - if anybody can help please contact me ASAP. Peace, BP

They can help.

http://www.nlg-la.org/

I went back to court on May 18th and through the good graces of Judge Dabney I found out that I could switch my infraction back to a misdemeanor - thus allowing me to have a jury trial and a PD. The City Attorney was visibly ruffled and tried to stop me. I had to go before the judge three different times in the course of that day before it was settled. The judge had to look up the code to be sure he was right (Penal Code 17D) and he called it a "wobblet" - meaning that it can wobble between a misdemeanor and an infraction.

Now I have a PD and will be returning to Court on June 22nd for the next round. I still have not been arraigned and it is possible that the judge may try to throw it out of court.

Stay tuned for the next installment.

Peace,
BP

Here's the latest on my court proceedings re: Ticket for Protesting Lottery on Venice Boardwalk -

Went back to court on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 to make my plea of 'not guilty' - City attorney tried to switch my misdemeanor ticket back to an infraction but the Judge denied her because of time limitations. So, I still have a PD and am due back in court on June 29 for the pre-trial hearing.

This may not make it to jury trial because it's such a bogus ticket and it directly contravenes the 1st Amendment. I will keep you posted on what happens!

BP

I was in court last week on Wed June 29th. My PD made a Pitch's Motion to open the offending Officer's file. I understand that several complaints have been filed against him following his over-zealous enforcement techniques.

The judge granted the motion and I return on Wed July 6th to examine the contents of his file! Lucky me...sorry, but I cannot share those contents until the whole thing is over...and I'm not sure I can do it even then! Wish me luck...