When Protestors Get Arrested...

[rucky]

I've been to a few protests & the stormtroopers were there in full gear to intimidate. I've seen people get arrested, teargassed, etc, but I've never been picked up & can't say I know anybody who has. So what happens when the paddy wagon leaves?

How do the cops justify the arrest?

What's the crime they're charged with? Does it stick? How far do the cops pursue it after they're brought in? Does it go to the DA? Fine? Jail Time? Anything?

My suspicions is that in most cases, they have no legal reason to arrest, but they do it anyway to keep certain "elements" off the street at the time of the protest. If that's the case, then what's their system to pick out who to arrest? Or do they just grab whoever they can?

Answers, theories, comments and anecdotes, please.

Peace!

[madddog]

1. the man

ALWAYS has something to arrest you for...disturbing the peace is a good one, that can be used for almost anything in a demonstration.

Assuming you don't get arrested for destruction of property, criminal tresspass, or any number of other things, MOST simple arrest are for very minor things that won't cause you too much grief later in life.

Not having been arrested for anything like this for over 30 years lol, I can't say with great authority, but as long as you are "peacable" you should be okay. You do NOT want to get arrested for assaulting a cop, or anything like that. That will generally not be forgiven so easily.

[slackdude]

2. A first hand account

My friend Zoe and 6 others were arrested in Dennis Hastert's office protesting for DC Budget Autonomy. She talks about it here: http://www.zoemitchell.com/archives/000114.html here: http://www.zoemitchell.com/archives/000132.html and here: http://www.zoemitchell.com/archives/000136.html