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G_j

(40,366 posts)
Fri Feb 10, 2012, 01:42 PM Feb 2012

Occupy Arrestees Win Their Right to Full Trials—Even Though They May Not Need It

http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-28213-occupy_arrestees_win.html

February 9th, 2012 By HANNAH HOFFMAN

Occupy Arrestees Win Their Right to Full Trials—Even Though They May Not Need It


The estimated 160 people arrested during Occupy Portland protests in the past five months have won the right to jury trials—a legal victory that advocates say will force prosecutors to mount a case in every arrest.

Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Albrecht ruled Wednesday that for certain misdemeanors charges—class A and B—defendants have the right to a trial, even though prosecutors have reduced many charges to violations.

Bear Wilner-Nugent, a member of the National Lawyers Guild, who's representing Occupier Keller Henry, tells WW that many people arrested in the protests want a trial because they believe they have a constitutional right to a full airing of the charges against them.

He says that he believes the DA's office has been trying to avoid trials when it reduced many charges to violations, the legal equivalent of a traffic ticket. Violations result in a fine and no probation or jail time.

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Occupy Arrestees Win Their Right to Full Trials—Even Though They May Not Need It (Original Post) G_j Feb 2012 OP
What do you mean, "won the right"? Scootaloo Feb 2012 #1
Haven't you heard? BlueToTheBone Feb 2012 #2
seems you did miss more than a few episodes.. nt G_j Feb 2012 #3
 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
1. What do you mean, "won the right"?
Fri Feb 10, 2012, 02:13 PM
Feb 2012

I might have missed a few episodes, but I thought we had that "Sixth Amendment" thing locked in pretty tight.

BlueToTheBone

(3,747 posts)
2. Haven't you heard?
Fri Feb 10, 2012, 02:38 PM
Feb 2012
all are now guilty until proven innocent...and we all know there is no innocence... in case
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