Volunteer attorneys steer protesters through the legal system

[babylonsister]

Volunteer attorneys steer protesters through the legal system

By Tony Pugh | McClatchy Newspapers
Tony Pugh McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — As copycat Occupy Wall Street encampments around the country confront the inevitable legal tangles that come with a nationwide sit-in style protest, a growing army of First Amendment-loving lawyers is shepherding the demonstrators through the legal system at no charge.

Growing numbers of protesters are being arrested for trespassing, failure to disperse and disobeying a lawful order, as city after city confronts the question of whether individual rights to free speech and assembly include the right to camp out on public property.

The resulting legal skirmishes have spurred the largest mobilization of pro bono protest attorneys since the anti-war movement of the 1960s and '70s.

"It's probably bigger than the anti-war movement, because there are so many simultaneous demonstrations. I've never seen anything like it," said Carol Sobel, co-chair of the Mass Defense Committee of the National Lawyers Guild.


more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/10/30/128688/volunteer-attorneys-steer-protesters.html

[PoliticAverse]

1. Good for them. n/t

[47of74]

2. There are good and decent lawyers out there after all...

After reading about those people in that New York law office who had people dressing up in homeless costumes and mocking the poor the legal profession had taken a serious hit in my eyes. Almost to the point where I found myself asking do I really want to go to law school. But this story makes me feel better about the legal profession.

[FarCenter]

4. You probably don't want to go to law school

You'll eventually have to choose between being a "good and decent lawyer" and making a living.

There are already more lawyers than can be gainfully employed, and the field is ripe for automation and offshoring.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[babylonsister]

5. pm kick, for the halibut. nt

[rgbecker]

6. O, Oh. 15 million out of work includes Lawyers.

Now the shit hits the fan.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. Glad you posted that , I was curious how the legal support was being handled.

VERY happy to read that it is wide spread and heavily supported!