Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2008
MANAGING PARTNER OF LOCAL LAW FIRM ARRESTED AND DETAINED
Legrand Jones, managing partner of The Evergreen Law Group, made news this week after refusing to comply with an illegal demand for identification by officers of the Tacoma Police Department.
Jones was present at a demonstration at the Port of Tacoma. Officers approached Jones, who was with Hudson Munoz and Janet Staiger, and demanded identification from the trio. Munoz andStaiger reluctantly complied with police requests, although Staiger, who is also an attorney, felt that the request was just an attempt to intimidate those who were engaged in a protected First Amendment activity. Munoz and Staiger were not cited or arrested. Jones, who declined to provide identification, was arrested.
After placing Jones under arrest for Obstructing a Public Servant, officers decided to a add a charge of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, alleging that Jones had walked up to a fence at the Port, although the strip of land that Jones crossed to reach the fence was not posted.
In addition, Officers decided to book Mr. Jones at the Pierce County Jail, although they had the option of citing and releasing him. Mr. Jones was booked on charges of Obstructing a Public Servant and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.
Jones is charged in Tacoma Municipal Court with Obstructing a Public Servant for allegedly hindering, delaying or obstructing any law enforcement officer in the discharge of his or her official powers or duties, and with Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree for allegedly knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in or upon premises of another. The Obstructing charge is a Gross Misdemeanor in Washington with a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5000.00 fine and the Criminal Trespass is a misdemeanor charge with a maximum penalty of ninety days in jail and a $1000.00 fine.
Christopher Taylor, an attorney with The Evergreen Law Group, says that the statute is
“overbroad,” noting that “overbroad criminal laws make under-trained law enforcement officers believe that their power is more extensive than it really is,” and that, “that is when people’s rights start getting trampled.”
Taylor hopes that “because Jones was arrested this case will remind the Tacoma Police Department that arresting citizens for not providing identification on demand is not one of their official powers or duties.”
Through his lawyer, William Ferrell, Jones contends that Washington state laws do not allow police officers to stop and identify people on the street, even under the obstruction statute. At his arraignment last Wednesday Jones wore a gray jumpsuit, similar to those worn by Pierce County Jail inmates, bearing a “lawyer” insignia on the back.
The Evergreen Law Group P.S., founded in 2004, is an Olympia-based law firm which emphasizes civil and human rights. evergreenlawgrp.com
Contact:
William Ferrell: (253)572-9011 (Lead attorney)
Christopher Taylor: (360)352-8004 (Firm Liaison)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 31, 2008
PORT DEMONSTRATORS FILE CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST CITY OF OLYMPIA FOR POLICE BRUTALITY
The Evergreen Law Group announces its clients Larry Mosqueda, Daisy Montague, Adam Kohut, and William Hamilton filed claims against the City of Olympia today for damages arising out of last November's anti-war demonstrations at the Port of Olympia. Each individual suffered at least one unprovoked act of police brutality at the hands of the Olympia Police Department.
Mr. Mosqueda, a professor at The Evergreen State College, Ms. Montague and Mr. Kohut, students, and Mr. Hamilton, a Vietnam War veteran, each expressed concern about the current military action in Iraq, and it was to express that concern that each of them took part in the demonstrations at or near the Port of Olympia.
At those demonstrations, members of the Olympia Police Department attacked these claimants with batons, pepper spray, pepper bullets, and other less lethal weapons and tactics. These attacks were unprovoked and illegal.
The City of Olympia must be held accountable for the actions of its police officers. Each claimant is seeking damages in the amount of $2.6 million dollars.
This figure represents one dollar for each Iraqi forced to flee their home country, and each Iraqi killed as a result of the U.S. occupation.
Moreover, each claimant feels the City should do more to responsibly interact with the U.S. military, to properly train its police officers to respect the rights of City residents, and to take steps to eliminate police brutality.
The Evergreen Law Group P.S., founded in 2004, is an Olympia-based law firm which emphasizes civil and human rights. evergreenlawgrp.com
Contact:
Legrand Jones: (360)352-8004
Christopher Taylor: (360)352-8004
Matthew Bellmer: (360)352-8004
