@JakeQuokkaMCM That’s a great point about the obstacles to lawyering up! Here’s some answers to that:
1) Even if you’re starting from zero, that’s ok. You don’t have to be currently represented by a lawyer to invoke your right to one to the police. “Leave your card and my lawyer will call you” is sufficient to mean “my lawyer that I will hire later”, or even, if circumstances allow, “my imaginary lawyer that I am invoking because these words will help get you to fuck off, pig”.
2) I encourage people who may need a lawyer to start by looking for a local NLG chapter or Legal Aid org (where I am, the Legal Rights Center is a great go to). Other regions may have other orgs like the CCR or CLDC that are a good starting point. In an area where such orgs are nonexistent, any criminal defense lawyer from an internet search is better than none; use search terms for your particular situation in non-activist language. Consultations are always free and no-obligation (if they aren’t, that lawyer is a scammer or not for people like us).
3) That said, starting from zero is tough. So I encourage everyone who is involved in any sort of activist or less than fully legal activities to think in advance about where to turn. Do you have friends with a lawyer they like? Get their business card before you need it. “Your client so-and-so recommended you to me” is a great way to avoid the awkwardness of a cold call. Are there know your rights events in your area? Attend. Hear about a rad activist lawyer in the news? Get those names and numbers. Hopefully you won’t need em. But it’s so, so much of a relief to already have done this if you do. Who’s likely to help bail you out of jail if you need it? Tell that person who they should call.
4) Yes, money can be a major problem, because lawyers are expensive af. However, if you have a community that can help fundraise a quality attorney, it is SO worth it. For small stuff, often a public defender can be sufficient if you qualify, but here in the US we have a two tiered justice system for those who can afford it. It’s critical to weigh the risks carefully. And for hopefully-one-time-uses like the phone call asking “why did your cops come to my clients house?”, the name of a powerful attorney showing up on Caller ID can make an impact on the investigating agency by showing them that you are no pushover. Well worth calling in a favor for a couple hundred bucks to pay that attorney, if needed.
And if you’re part of an org or crew with the resources, consider putting a lawyer on retainer ahead of time - so all the members of the group can utilize that resource if needed.
(Edit:typo)
Luigi Muffingione
Delta Wye
JakeQuokkaMCM
Jimmy
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