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A&A: Arrested for using “colorful” language at city council meeting

FAC December 31, 2010

Q: I was just arrested  for saying the word “pussies” (referring to the lack of courage) at a city council podium, after of course signing up and being called up to speak. They have since added three other charges, four total, based on my use of “colorful” language at other city council meetings. I’ve already tried an exparte injunction against the city but the response has been  “you better not go to these meetings until

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A&A: Arrested for making public comments that “disturbed” council meeting

FAC October 21, 2010

Q: I am a signatory of an initiative which qualified for the ballot, but which the city refused to forward to the county for inclusion on the ballot in violation of Elections Code. At the next city council meeting, during the public comment period, I was criticizing the council’s illegal refusal to forward the initiative and was arrested for “disturbing” the meeting. Low voice, no profanity. I need criminal defense. A: You might be able

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A&A: Arrested at meeting for commenting on no-public-comment rule

FAC July 2, 2010

Q: I was arrested recently  while attending and covering as a journalist a wildlife protection meeting. The meeting is sponsored and regulated by the California Natural Resources Agency and the Dept. of Fish and Game. The facilitators illegally tried to establish a no public comment and no recording policy at these public meetings. I was arrested for trying to openly record the meeting, and for stating that the no public comment policy was illegal. They

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A&A: Is limiting a school board trustee’s comments legal?

FAC March 26, 2010

Q: I’m a public school district trustee and the board has tried to limit my comments during the meetings by preventing me from responding to Public Comments made during the “public comment period.”  I often will wish to express my agreement with the comment made or ask a follow-up question. Is the board violating my first amendment rights by refusing my positive comments or questions? A: As you may know, California’s Brown Act requires that

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Public Comment at meetings, Campaigning, and Freedom of Speech

firstamendment June 14, 2009

Public Comment at meetings, Campaigning, and Freedom of Speech Q: May a legislative body prevent members of the public speaking during the public comments agenda item from blatantly campaigning for or against a candidate for that body?  I believe that that type of discussion is “not a matter subject to the body’s jurisdiction.”  I also believe that such comments at such a meeting are not guaranteed under the first amendment.  What say you? A: It

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