"They speak of my drinking, but never my thirst." ~Scottish Proverb~

Texas has some pretty stringent public intoxication laws on the books. When I lived in Abilene Texas I had a coworker arrested on his front porch for public intoxication - and the charges stuck in court.

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: "They speak of my drinking, but never my thirst." ~Scottish Proverb~

Everyone thirsts for something, finding the best overall quench without a bad side is the tricky part.

quote Originally posted by 2.5: Everyone thirsts for something, finding the best overall quench without a bad side is the tricky part.

Which could be said about those that own 6 Fieros in varied states of disrepair!
Or ONE even!

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 07-01-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: Which could be said about those that own 6 Fieros in varied states of disrepair! Or ONE even!

OH there's a bad side!

quote Originally posted by tbone42: Cliff - dont take any guff from those swine...

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas FTW, great post tbone, I agree!

OK, technical question....were you drunk on good ole 'merican bourbon whiskey or that fur-in stuff? If the former, suspended sentence, if the latter, 6 months hard time.

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: *snip* you have an alcoholism problem *snip*

I'd say he's got it pretty much figured out.

quote Originally posted by 84fiero123: LOL No just a recovering alcoholic who if need be is willing to lend an ear to a friend who may need it. Steve

I really wasn't fussing at you Steve, I was quizzing the OP -Cliff

I wouldn't say he has any problems with alcohol - and that may be the issue...

I keep going back to this video whenever the subject comes up. Figured I'd post it here, if only for the sake of my own conscience.

quote Originally posted by joesfiero: I think you mean Ron White

Yep, that's the guy. Randy is the one who used to work at my school a couple of years ago. Ooooops!

Not knowing any more than is posted, I'll simply hope this all works out for someone I consider a friend.

Best wishes and stay strong.

Ron

Sorry, been busy.

quote Originally posted by pokeyfiero: Why would you get arrested for public intoxication?

The law reads that I had to be under the influence and be of a danger to myself or others. I can not tell you the officer's rationale, . Now he will have to prove it.
I was sitting on the Kerr County courthouse lawn, talking with a married couple (strangers) about an implosion of our old nine story hospital which was to occur just across the street in downtown Kerrville. It was about 11:30 PM Sunday night and I had worked my last twelve hour day of a seven day hitch, having got off at 6:00 PM. I was dirty, worn out, and gruff looking. Not that it should matter. Being dirty, worn out, and gruff looking is not a crime. My route home did pass Bandera and I did stop at my lake property to evaluate needed care and visit friends and drink beer.
The old hospital was to be imploded Saturday night. My wife was telling me about all of the town folk sitting there watching Saturday night while I was still at work, so when I came through on Sunday and it was still standing, I was curious. Folks were sitting there and I stopped and asked why it had not already gone down. The first group of people I spoke with were not too friendly and had to be the ones to call the cops. I do not know how I offended them. I left the first group and then met and was invited to sit with the married couple.
Law dog comes up and asks me if he could speak with me. "Yes sir" I say and he asks me if I was the operator of that blue truck. Yeah, right, I tell him it sounds like you are conducting an investigation and that I would like to talk with my attorney. He asks me how many beers I had drank. I told him he would have to ask my lawyer. I was arrested.
He got a call, arrived, and observed me sitting on the grass conversing with local citizens. How was I a danger to myself or others ?

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: Listen to your friends. They're trying to help. I don't know you, ....

Nor do I know you. I quoted your post in appreciation of your response because I respect your posts.

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: ... you've posted several threads on PFF over the past few years concerning problem situations involving you and alcohol ... and usually involving law enforcement, too.

I quoted you again because you are correct.. In each post, I have not had a conviction. It's very easy to paint a guy guilty if you say alcohol was involved. But not with me.

quote Originally posted by USFiero: Is this post some type of tease? A cry for help? Are you a diabetic or have some other medical condition that can mask as intoxication? If you are gonna put it out there, we are gonna ask/judge/offer unsolicited opinions and advice.

No. To all three questions. I thought long and hard before I posted and decided I do not care if I am asked/judged/or offered unsolicited opinions and advice. I welcome them. This post is just fodder for your amusement. And to tell you about fracked up laws or of how they are applied.
I thought long and hard before I posted because ....

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: He has had multiple DUI. Not sure if he beat them though, I didn't follow the threads after people started ripping him.

... because of the ripping that I get. What the heck, ? Innocent until proven guilty ? I am a pissed off mofo. I get to go to court to prove my innocence, , again, .

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: Cindi must be either very tolerant, or going out of her mind.

Both. Pissed off too. She did not like it when I fought the law in Bandera County over loud music resulting in numerous arrests including public intoxication, multiple disorderly conduct charges, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, among others. That battle lasted almost two years, with me rejecting each and every plea bargain offer and demanding a jury trial. Of which I did not get because after I rejected the last plea bargain offer of "just promising that I would cause no more trouble" they dropped all charges.
Cindi did not like it when I got a DWI (WOOO HOOOO ! I Will Be Able To Become A Felon.) in Live Oak County of which I also did not get a jury trial. Charges were dropped without even a plea bargain being offered.
Cindi did not like it when I got a DWI in Medina County (not reported here due to the ripping I got from reporting the last one) of which again I also did not get a jury trial. Charges again were dropped.
Cindi did not like it when I got a DWI here in Kerrville a couple of years back (again, not reported here). Again, no jury trial. This after an involuntary blood draw. They did offer me a plea bargain offer of which I refused though.
What is it with you guys ? You might be ok with taking it up the pie hole which includes being scared to leave your home. I might take it up the pie hole but not without a fight. For the land of the free, the purported freest country on Earth, we have the highest per capita of population locked behind bars. This country has evolved to allow you just enough freedom to possess enough stuff that you are scared to lose it.
Yes, my battles cost me money. Freedom is not free. Cindi is mostly mad at me because of what I could have bought with the money I spend on my battles.
Am I an alcoholic ? That is for you to decide but I am the only one who should be concerned with the truth. I have been called a functional alcoholic. What the heck is that ? A guy that can get alcohol ? I have been called everything imaginable. My Dad raised me telling me that I would never amount to anything. That I was stupid. Opinions are like a-holes.

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: I think I shall hand over my crown as resident forum drunk.

I could not fulfill those duties. I don't even like to get drunk. Crown Royal, Tequilla, and Rum in my liquor cabinet right now. All three over a year old. I do not even frequent bars. Maybe when I am out on the road working, looking for something to do. If two beers total at two different bars in five weeks of working counts as frequenting.

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: OK, Alcohol problem The TRUE definition of an alcoholic is not somebody who drinks to excess every day and every night...but somebody who needs to drink even TWO drinks a day, is alcohol dependant.

Much love for your concern to post Nick, but, bzzzt, wrong. Alcoholic is like beauty. Skin deep. When I get off work, I drink beer. It is my right. I enjoy it. When I helped maryjane, after building fences, I drank beer. He did not. I drank alone, sort of. My beer fetish is not much different than his coffee fetish, . He even brought me one morning, this limey, some hot water and a tea bag.

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: Cliff, it would honestly grieve me no end to hear that you have been hurt/hurt somebody else because you HAVE to have a drink. I will say a prayer for you tonight ...

I am touched that you would pray for me. I need all that I can get, there is never too much prayer. Hurting someone else due to my drinking, or even hurting myself would grieve me too. I have never had as so much as an at fault fender bender due to my drinking. Not that it could not happen, I do realize. In each of the DWI's listed above, I did not even have to settle a secondary charge of which would have been the reason I was pulled over, .

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: In your line of business, you MUST be alcohol free anyway..how are you getting around that?

I am not getting around it. I only have to be drug free. I have been hired straight out of a bar. I used to pass the drug test by having drugs (pot, though I have seen more than that). The malitia which defeated the British in the American Revolution was recruited from the taverns. From the New World, the New England States, to the Pacific Ocean, every frontier town had a saloon.

quote Originally posted by Doug85GT: Drunk in public laws are there to clean up the streets. The public does not want a lot of drunks stumbling around the streets at night....

True but stumbling drunks have rights too. Not that I was stumbling or drunk. This town is over zealous in it's social engineering though. Protectionism to convey an image (to attract retirees). Being at the county courthouse was my crime.

quote Originally posted by topcat: Texas has some pretty stringent public intoxication laws on the books. When I lived in Abilene Texas I had a coworker arrested on his front porch for public intoxication - and the charges stuck in court.

Hard to believe. I was arrested multiple times (in the same control vendetta) for disorderly conduct (see above), a public charge, while on my property. The reason being that I could be seen from the street. It did not stick. Not that I do not believe you topcat. It's very easy to cave to the pressures put on you. Someone did not fight hard enough. I bet that was a plea bargain deal.

quote Originally posted by blackrams: Not knowing any more than is posted, I'll simply hope this all works out for someone I consider a friend. Best wishes and stay strong. Ron

Thanks Ron.

quote Originally posted by USFiero: I really wasn't fussing at you Steve, I was quizzing the OP -Cliff

I got that and thanks for your post.
So, now back to the original past question. Will cliffw go to jail ?
Bonus question. Will he get a jury trial ?
Sorry again for the delayed response guys. I also had coaxial problems with my RoadRunner Time Warner service, causing me to be kicked off line every six to ten words typed. Luckily for y'all, "restore previous session" saved my thoughts that I type at forty minutes a word.

Well,I am relieved to have read your dissertation above Cliff!!! (Maybe the prayers cleared MY view too? )
Look, I won't beat about the bush As you probably all know by now...I do not drink alcohol. NOT because I have some kinda 'social disease' , not because I can't afford to (I most certainly can't!! ), not because I am some kind of egoist...but simply because I don't like ANYTHING which distorts the normal views and thought and behaviour patterns Nature gave me . Drugs, alcohol? I despise them. Purely and simply because, just like a pendulum, however high above 'normal' it takes you, it will equally take you that low straight after. And I have worked in alcohol-influenced environments all my life, and what I see just makes me hate it all the more. I KNOW many can just have a drink or two, and that is fine. But it usually does become a slippery slope

I wish you the best result...going on previous form, you seem to know how to handle these annoying blips in life. Just, please, make sure you stay in control. You are too valuable to lose!!
Nick

You may not, in Texas, sit on your own front porch and drink a beer in plain sight, if it is before 1pm on Sunday. You will be in violation of Texas open container law, and if the cops deems you to be intoxicated, you will be charged with public intoxication.

It's the only remaining remanant of the old Texas Blue Law that was struck down several decades ago.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: You may not, in Texas, sit on your own front porch and drink a beer in plain sight, if it is before 1pm on Sunday. You will be in violation of Texas open container law, and if the cops deems you to be intoxicated, you will be charged with public intoxication. It's the only remaining remanant of the old Texas Blue Law that was struck down several decades ago.

Well damn, it's alway before 1 PM of next Sunday! Or, does that mean from a certain time Saturday night or early AM Sunday you can't consume alcohol. Like midnight to 1 PM?

Ron

quote Originally posted by pokeyfiero: Why would you get arrested for public intoxication?

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: Listen to your friends. They're trying to help. I don't know you, ....

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: ... you've posted several threads on PFF over the past few years concerning problem situations involving you and alcohol ... and usually involving law enforcement, too.

quote Originally posted by USFiero: Is this post some type of tease? A cry for help? Are you a diabetic or have some other medical condition that can mask as intoxication? If you are gonna put it out there, we are gonna ask/judge/offer unsolicited opinions and advice.

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: He has had multiple DUI. Not sure if he beat them though, I didn't follow the threads after people started ripping him.

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: Cindi must be either very tolerant, or going out of her mind.

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: I think I shall hand over my crown as resident forum drunk.

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: OK, Alcohol problem The TRUE definition of an alcoholic is not somebody who drinks to excess every day and every night...but somebody who needs to drink even TWO drinks a day, is alcohol dependant.

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: Cliff, it would honestly grieve me no end to hear that you have been hurt/hurt somebody else because you HAVE to have a drink. I will say a prayer for you tonight ...

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: In your line of business, you MUST be alcohol free anyway..how are you getting around that?

quote Originally posted by Doug85GT: Drunk in public laws are there to clean up the streets. The public does not want a lot of drunks stumbling around the streets at night....

quote Originally posted by topcat: Texas has some pretty stringent public intoxication laws on the books. When I lived in Abilene Texas I had a coworker arrested on his front porch for public intoxication - and the charges stuck in court.

quote Originally posted by blackrams: Not knowing any more than is posted, I'll simply hope this all works out for someone I consider a friend. Best wishes and stay strong. Ron

quote Originally posted by USFiero: I really wasn't fussing at you Steve, I was quizzing the OP -Cliff

Cliff, you quoted everyone but me in your response, and mine "They speak of my drinking, but never my thirst." ~Scottish Proverb~ was the only post that really mattered!


P.S. You will NOT be going to jail.

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 07-03-2010).]

Glad to see your ok Cliff, those doggies need their "Handler"

quote Originally posted by maryjane: You may not, in Texas, sit on your own front porch and drink a beer in plain sight, if it is before 1pm on Sunday. You will be in violation of Texas open container law, and if the cops deems you to be intoxicated, you will be charged with public intoxication. It's the only remaining remanant of the old Texas Blue Law that was struck down several decades ago.

Wow, just wow. Hell, Id be in jail all the time!!!

Cheers Beers n Gearz. Joe

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: Cliff, you quoted everyone but me in your response ...

No, I missed a few other quotes, of which I wish to acknowledge. Your post I have not had time to consider and understand. I do have a strong thirst for beer but it is not the same as thirst. Being born in England, I think I remember that the Scottish, as well as the Irish, are heavy drinkers. I am not sure if the thirst you quote refers to alcoholism.
Heh, a quick Google search gives you a high hit here. Another hit also lists it as an Irish proverb. After a quick search, I still don't understand the motivation for the quote.

quote Originally posted by 84fiero123: No just a recovering alcoholic who if need be is willing to lend an ear to a friend who may need it.

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: Cliff if you need a friend to talk to just PM me dude.

quote Originally posted by Back On Holiday: Glad to see your ok Cliff,

quote Originally posted by carnut122: Good luck!

Thanks guys.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: This post is just fodder for your amusement.

Are you ready for some more ?
Let me tell you of another Public Intoxication arrest of mine. This one resulted in the only arrest ever of my then girlfriend/present wife, also for public intoxication and resisting arrest.
My mobile home at my lake place, my then primary residence, had burnt down and I was staying with Cindi in KHerrville. We went to Bandera to tend my property and on the way through town saw some of our neighbors/friends (Cindi and I met when she lived at the lake) outside the "Purple Cow Saloon" about 5:00 PM. We stop and have a drink with them. I want to tend to business but Cindi wanted to stay and visit. The friends said that they would not be long and would bring her out to my place so I left Cindi with some money and went to my place. About four hours later, Cindi had not shown up so I headed back through Bandera to look for her. Cindi is a rare drinker but was drunk on Colorado Bulldogs. Drunk and mad as heck at me for leaving her, not remembering that I was waiting for her. She insisted that I was drunk and that we needed to pay someone (a couple and strangers) to drive us to Kerrville. I said insisted. She made a scene about it so I took it outside where she continued to insist. Knowing we needed to get away from that bar I agreed.
Cindi rode with the woman in their vehicle and I rode with the guy in my truck. Till we got to the edge of town. I told the guy to pull over, that I was not paying him to drive us home. We stopped in a parking lot of a building in front of and owned by the local district judge, unbeknowenst to me. Where Cindi again made a scene. I walked off, taking my doberman on a leash with me, to walk/hitch the twenty eight miles back to Kerrville. Make a point actually.
Well, the judge heard the commotion and called the cops. A short while later, I was stopped by said cops while walking, facing oncoming traffic. I was arrested for public intoxication, the endangering reason being that I had stepped inside the line that marks the edge of the road. , there is no sidewalk, no vehicles were coming, ? Cindi was still with the couple just behind the cops. When she saw that I was being arrested, she got out to protest. They told her to shut up three times, the last time with the warning that if she did not, she would be arrested for public intoxication.

quote Originally posted by carnut122: Just pull a Randy White and tell them you weren't in public until they threw you out into public.

As Ron White says, he know he has the right to remain silent, he just does not have the ability. Neither does my wife.
She was arrested for public intoxication then for flinching as she was being cuffed for the very first/only time in her life. Why was I arrested ? Most likely for beating them on the afore mentioned multiple arrests and getting the paper to publicly post that I did (since they reported my arrest without a disclaimer that I am presumed innocent).

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: My wife and I never saw our friend "under the influence" either, and there were no DUIs, anti-social behavior, or other external manifestations of an alcohol problem, but we and mutual friends (medical professionals) did notice subtle signs that she might be drinking more when alone than when she was with us.

Alone is the only place left to drink. Hold a party and you can be held liable. Attend a party/bar and you risk DWI. Designated drivers are not always feasible. Cabs are too expensive, sometimes unavailable in certain areas. Intoxication laws are becoming draconian. Most everyone that I know that does drink, are afraid to leave the home.

Will not go to jail if you keep fighting them.

I often drink in the front yard, sometimes I put the beer down and ride the Harley around the neighborhood and no, just because I am drinking I am not intoxicated.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: After a quick search, I still don't understand the motivation for the quote.

I think the quote refers to the fact that people always find it easy to "knowingly" comment on the what, but seldom take the time to try to understand the why.

Dudly Moore as Arthur: "Everyone who drinks is not a poet. Maybe some of us drink because we're not poets."

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: You will NOT be going to jail.

Are you sure about that ? I am willing to.
I was magistrated out from the initial arrest on a $500.00 Personal Recognizance bond, due to show up in court the 21^st of July.
I did not show up.

quote Originally posted by FieroFanaticus2: Sometimes they have to hit rock bottom before they realize it. Or sometimes, it takes death. It's a very unfortunate situation. Certainly not a situation to be made a game of.

Ah contrair. This is certainly a game. Life has winners and losers. I have been both.

So the judge didn't issue a bench warrant for your failure to appear?

quote Originally posted by avengador1: So the judge didn't issue a bench warrant for your failure to appear?

You can have a lawyer go in your stead to some court proceedings. I am guessing that is what Cliff did. I hope he did that anyway. If not, then he will be going to jail after all.

quote Originally posted by Doug85GT: If not, then he will be going to jail after all.

Sounds like he don't mind, much.
Tilting at windmills as a hobby?

Why not?--it made Quixote famous--and his actions weren't a misdemeanor.

quote Originally posted by FieroFanaticus2: Certainly not a situation to be made a game of.

Let the games continue.
Not to make light of your excellent point, ... but ....

quote Originally posted by avengador1: So the judge didn't issue a bench warrant for your failure to appear?

I don't think so. I called the day after and there was not one out. Why not ? I don't know. I was advised to fax or snail mail a reason I did not show up, which I did.
So, tomorrow, it is time to face the piper.

quote Originally posted by Doug85GT: You can have a lawyer go in your stead to some court proceedings. I am guessing that is what Cliff did. I hope he did that anyway. If not, then he will be going to jail after all.

I am thinking that I am going to be my own lawyer. I am such a fool. The saying goes that "only a fool represents himself in court". Well, the plan is to start as such. This is a game. Some people play board games, some video games, some virtual reality games. I like reality games. No fake blood.

So they want you to appear in court again? I bet the judge don't take too kind to being disrespected by you not appearing the last time. Maybe he will give you a slap on the wrist.

quote Originally posted by avengador1: Maybe he will give you a slap on the wrist.

Or if he's lucky, it will be a female judge, and she'll slap him on the a$$.

Jim

quote Originally posted by jimbolaya: Or if he's lucky, it will be a female judge, and she'll slap him on the a$$.

, the city prosecutor is a hot little fillie.
I had started a follow up but am not done with it.

quote Originally posted by avengador1: I bet the judge don't take too kind to being disrespected by you not appearing the last time. Maybe he will give you a slap on the wrist.

Is this the time that I am supposed to care, .
All went well Wednesday. According to my plan, I did not screw up too badly. I walked in (a story in itself) and spoke with the city prosecutor ( a hot fillie of a piper that she is) and told her that I think that she should dismiss the charges. She reviewed my file and said that she would not. She offered me a sort of plea bargain deal. Which I declined due to the fact that I have not seen the allegations against me. I mentioned that I would like a copy of said file and speak with mt attorney. In which she immediately refused to talk with me further. , that's how I got arrested in the first place, asking about talking with my attorney, .
Well, I got the arrest report yesterday. Damn bastages, . LIARS ! Just like they did in my WOOO HOOOO ! I Will Be Able To Become A Felon. thread. Which was proven by their own statements (arrest reports) and evidence (dash cam). This one I will have to work at. It will go to trial though and I will not be paying a fine. I will go to jail.

Cliff,
The prosecuter cannot talk to you or discuss pleas or anything else with you directly once you declare that you've retain counsel. I went through this a few years ago when I had the attorney my wife worked for in Nebraska inquire and assist me in a matter in South Dakota (he couldn't practice in South Dakota.) I had to file paperwork that I dismissed him as representation and was representing myself before she would talk to me.

quote Originally posted by aceman: Cliff, The prosecuter cannot talk to you or discuss pleas or anything else with you directly once you declare that you've retain counsel.

Thanks ace, though I knew that, sort of. I do have the right to council but am not prohibited from opening my fat trap of a mouth if I wish. I never declared that I had or would retain council, I merely said that I wanted a copy of the complaint and arrest report to seek the advice of council. (Money saving move by the way.)
I did not mind that she would no longer speak to me. Just thought of it as odd considering that upon mentioning lawyer with the arresting officer I was placed under arrest.
I am seeing an angle to the dangle, thinking about representing myself. Also thinking about hiring my well acquainted attorney who did appear on a 20/20 episode. I will be seeking his advice. These bastages will not win. Many Public Intoxication arrests are an abuse of power. Left unchecked/unchallenged, they will continue or even increase in violation of citizen rights. Public Intoxication is a very hard charge to beat but I am gonna try.

quote Originally posted by FieroFanaticus2: Certainly not a situation to be made a game of.

Not picking on your opinion Fanaticus but it is my favorite quote. Let's say that I do win. Am I a marked man ? You betcha. The way I carry out my execution of the resolve can mark me more. I wanna be so intimidating with the lying officer, arrogant (showing confidence in myself) in court, and pizzed off that I raise some eyebrows. I am a pissed off mofo. That it happened to me and that it could. It could happen to you. Now I want to have some fun exonerating myself. Good for those of y'all who think that I am a danger to society. Knowing that they will be gunning for me will keep you safer.

quote Originally posted by Toddster: OK, technical question....were you drunk on good ole 'merican bourbon whiskey or that fur-in stuff? If the former, suspended sentence, if the latter, 6 months hard time.

, umm ... I can not comment on ongoing litigation. Your expecting a confession, ?
Heh, I missed your post.

Wait,
Cliff, you were born in England? You are not natural born??

If so this is really simple, sue them for harassment based on your "immigrant status" If you can mangle your english enough to sound like spanglish you could even get the ACLU to help you out.

Yep, sounds to me like they are discriminating against you based on your ethnicity.

Brad

As long as you know what your rights are, you should be fine. A man who represents himself has a fool for a client. If you can get some lawyer advice you should be golden. They know all the loopholes and procedures to get you acquitted, if it can be done. Answer the questions directly without giving them any more information than what they asked. You have the right to not incriminate yourself, but you need to know how to exercise this right and still be able to answer questions, that is when a lawyer comes in handy.

quote Originally posted by twofatguys: Cliff, you were born in England? You are not natural born?? If so this is really simple, sue them for harassment based on your "immigrant status" If you can mangle your english enough to sound like spanglish you could even get the ACLU to help you out. Yep, sounds to me like they are discriminating against you based on your ethnicity.

Been in Texas since the 5^th grade. Don't have the English dialect no more. The arrest report did say something about slurred speech though, . Standard operating procedure. It also said bloodshot and glassy eyes. Yeah, right. 11:30 PM, a ten second conversation, Again, standard operating procedure.

quote Originally posted by avengador1: A man who represents himself has a fool for a client.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: I am thinking that I am going to be my own lawyer. I am such a fool. The saying goes that "only a fool represents himself in court". Well, the plan is to start as such.

So much the better that a fool could derail a usually iron clad prosecution. I am good with this fight, even if I lose.

I think I get what you are doing, I really do.
It's for the princaple of it.
But am I right in my memory that there is a history of adversarial contact between you and your local law enforcement?
Is it a percieved "perpetual over-bounded atthority" issue, or a "tit-for-tat" on past transgressions deal?

It is easy to say you are doing it to "preserve" the rights of others, but do you really care enough about strangers to go to jail for them?

I'll believe your reason, I just wonder how many out there "fighting oppression" are actually self-sacraficing for that sake alone........