Yeah, I should've explained. My fault; it's somewhat obscure. Let me fix that.
Cutting to the quick, Ohio criminal defendants,
including those arrested at these protests, can expect to pay much higher court fees, and its possible this might become a trend in other states. Basically the courts are and have been strapped for cash in general in this country, because no one wants to pay for them. Thus, the courts have been fudging the rules about costs and fees for quite some time. The article details how someone finally called them on this and it may spread to other courts. It's annoyingly complex, but basically the court spread out its revenue gathering through widespread (improper) fees. Now, the courts might have to concentrate fees more towards individual defendants. This is especially true if people become entitled to refunds for old cases, which is money the courts already spent.... "Technically," it could shift the burden to cities, but who's raising taxes right now...?
Getting arrested at a protest could easily end up costing you twice as much in court fees alone as it would have before this happened if I'm right about this.... Of course there is another possible outcome if the court can't raise its fees and that's not good. You know what happens when nobody pays for justice? We don't get it. Who knows exactly how that'll play out, but the court can't provide what it can't afford to.... Maybe local rules will be amended or some other mechanism to make ends meet in the budget, who knows. Point being, it won't be good.
Frankly, the courts are the only thing keeping this whole... thing... from becoming really really bad. A blow to them is not good.
http://news.yahoo.com/occupy-protesters-remove-blockade-oakland-port-161355762.html
double shit
Yes, and speaking of arrests....
Author
Topic: Occupying Wallstreet (Read 294422 times)