http://forum.freekeene.com/…

Turning Myself In

Hello all,

I have decided to not appeal my case and, therefore, I am going to turn myself in to the jail on the morning of June 2nd. I’m not sure at what time (if I do decide a time then I will update this thread accordingly), but I know that I will be in jail from the 2nd until, probably, the 11th ($420 fine divided by $50 equals 9.4 days in jail; or 9 days and roughly 10 hours).

Here is my current plan – please let me know of any criticisms or ideas you have, thanks:

* I will be walking to the Keene Police Station on the morning of June 2nd and turning myself in to the police to serve my sentence for the “crime” of marijuana possession. I would let them put a warrant out for my arrest and come get me, but I would rather not burden my friends with an unexpected police interaction. Thus, it is better if I just go to them.

* I will not be processing. I will show up at the jail but I won’t be allowing them to process me. If someone could, I would appreciate any details on what this “processing” process consists of so that I may be properly prepared. I do not wish to be caught off guard; nor do I wish to be abused physically in the event of my resistance. I’d like to know what the “easiest” way is to get them to give up on their “processing” and just throw me in a cell. I am not there to make the cops’ job difficult – I will let their conscious do that.

* From what I understand, as a result of my decision to not process, I will be put in to “solitary confinement” of sorts. Unfortunately, this means that I will not have the opportunity to interact with other prisoners who have been persecuted for victimless crimes, which is a goal all of us ought to have should we find ourselves in jail (and which is something Sam is apparently doing a great job at). However…

* … I also want to know what it is that Sam is going through right now, physically and psychologically. With that in mind I will be going on a hunger strike. It’s only 9 days but it is the least I can do for Sam. I doubt I’ll even make it that long without giving in and eating something, but I don’t feel like I can truly appreciate Sam’s sacrifice until I experience it myself. Since I am destined for jail eventually anyways (no court in this state is going to overturn marijuana laws at this moment of time), I might as well go now while Sam is there. Consider it a sign of moral support.

Therefore, I will serve my 9.4 days in jail and then be “free.” I don’t see any reason for them to keep me longer, even if I refuse to process. Once I’ve “paid off the fine” with the appropriate amount of days in jail than I will be released during the evening of the 11th.

Let us hope Sam is out before then.

In Liberty,
Andrew Carroll

When asked “Why no appeal?”:

I feel it pointless. I let the Judge have his trial and I did not try at all to drag the case on like I could have. I knew all of what I was saying was not legally admissible and would not fly in a court of their law; but legality is not the point – as you are well aware – morality is.

So, I figure, let’s get to the crux of it; let’s get past the legal games (since they serve us no purpose in this fight at this time) and put the immorality of it all at center stage; let’s watch as they throw another innocent man in jail…

“Is there a possibility of a jury trial if you appeal? Because if so, I would definitely see that as potentially advantageous, especially because of the possibility of nullification.”

The possibility might be there, though I believe my appeal would go to the NH Supreme Court and bypass any possible jury trial.

Not that it matters, however, because the primary point of the protest was to demonstrate the immorality of throwing someone in a cell for possessing marijuana. Anything else was just a secondary point to address if convenience allowed it.

So, as I said to Sam, let’s get on with the main course.

You can learn more about the situation leading up to this at http://andrew.jailedactivist.info

Keep watch at JailedActivist.info, blogofbile.com, and the blogofbile twitter account for updates as they become available.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/…

Facing crippling budget cuts, a California district attorney says his hands are tied. Forced to lay off 20 percent of his staff, Contra Costa County District Attorney Bob Kochly said his department will stop prosecuting many misdemeanor crimes.

“This is a no-win situation for me, for the communities in this country — it’s a terrible thing to have to do,” he said.

The layoffs mean that those carrying less than a gram of cocaine or half a gram of heroin won’t be charged for drug possession. And criminals who commit petty theft, embezzlement, burglary, non-DUI traffic offenses or trespassing, among other crimes, could face little or no consequences.

“The last thing I want to do is say someone could commit a particular kind of crime — even if it’s only a misdemeanor — and they can get away with it in my county,” said Kochly. “That just is absolutely devastating to me.”

I have mixed feelings about this. I’m all for them not prosecuting the victimless crimes but the property infringements should be dealt with. If they cut back more non-violent, victimless prosecutions they could pick up the theft, burglary, trespassing, etc.

What I hope happens is that the public arms themselves or install defensive technologies and they realize the police as they currently exist are unnecessary.