Got this article written by an attorney who defended a couple here in Oregon who had their children taken from them. It's got some excellent advice. -- S
From: Edgar J. Steele
To:
leonard@oregonfamilyrights.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002 3:43 PM
Subject: No Justice for the Politically-Incorrect
No Justice for the Politically-Incorrect
by Edgar J. Steele
July 2, 2002
Below is the text of a press release I sent out following a court hearing this morning which ends the long ordeal of the Christines in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Brian and Ruth have agreed to "plead out" to a single charge each of criminal mistreatment. This doesn't mean they "did it." On the contrary. They have agreed to this for three reasons:
1. To prevent any of their children being brought back to take the stand and testify against them as the Douglas County prosecutor had little Lydia do in the kidnapping trial we went through in May. When she gets older, the psychological trauma of realizing that it was her testimony that sent her parents to prison will be substantial. Even in the face of a system that has repeatedly brutalized them, the Christines have once again demonstrated what we have known all along: they are good parents.
2. Because, by preagreement, all the time the judge assessed will be "served" concurrent with the time they received in Douglas County. This means that the time sentenced is irrelevant. That they each have another felony on their record is also of little consequence, in face of what has already been done to them.
3. After their experience with the Douglas County jury, the Christines rightfully did not trust either judge or jury to treat them properly this time, either. Can't say I blame them.
Yet another example of what has become a mantra for me: the politically-incorrect cannot get justice in America today.
Are you home schooling? Are you Christian? Are you vegetarian? Are you politically conservative (no, not the neocon kind)? Do you ever spank your children? Are you barely scraping by, financially? If you have young, white children and can answer yes to one or more of the above, you are seriously at risk from the child protective services agency in your state. Right and wrong has nothing to do with it.
I got a call last Saturday afternoon as I working in my study at home from the neighbor of a friend who lives just over the border in Washington State. Seems "someone" had phoned in an "anonymous" tip to the authorities about his children (he has four, aged 2 through 7). Fortunately, nobody was home when CPS came calling in the company of a sheriff's deputy. They left cards.
This fellow had heard of what could happen and was terrified. Seems he had a bit of a dispute going with a neighbor. Do the math.
Since no court had yet acquired jurisdiction over any member of his family (that typically comes once they trump up something with which to charge the parents), I was able to tell him the following: Put your children and as many of your important possessions as you can into your station wagon and leave the state before nightfall. Never come back. Have a friend pack and send the rest or have a yard sale. Hire a real estate agent to sell your house for you. Call in Monday morning and quit your job. Start a new life elsewhere.
Extreme? Not at all. Houses, friends and jobs are easy to find. Children are irreplaceable. Once you are in the "system," you stand a very real chance of ending up like Brian and Ruth Christine. Staying out of the system is, by far, the best solution.
Once CPS comes calling, the only way to ensure you stay out of the system is to get out...right then. Usually, CPS will come by at least once before seeking any court orders. That will be your one chance to stay out of the system, by doing just what I told the hapless fellow above to do.
Once you are in the system (which can happen on the first visit, if you let them in the door), the only way out is to play by the rules. That was where Brian and Ruth went wrong.
If you are home when they come, nevernevernevernevernever let them in the door without a warrant signed by a magistrate. Make them show it to you. Never talk to them. These cases are usually constructed out of the parents' own statements. Make them stand on the porch. Show them the kid through the window to demonstrate he or she is ok. Tell them to get a warrant before they come back again. Same drill, even if a cop is standing next to them. Do not believe anything they tell you - they must have a warrant to enter your home. When they leave, take no more than two hours to pack and get out. You must leave the state altogether and forever.
Once you are served with a warrant or you or any child is taken into custody, you are in the system (because you ignored the basic rule of getting out) and your only real hope is to get a lawyer well acquainted with CPS and the child-custody courts.
Remember these basic rules and you will be able to keep your children in an increasingly hostile and tyrannical America.
Please note that the Christine kidnapping trial will be televised by CourtTV, starting July 15 ( see press release, below, for details). They tend to broadcast these as though taking place right then, but without all the boring stuff. I (and others, I expect) will be providing some live commentary as the production goes along.
Please go to
www.pclu.org and order one or more Christine trial T-shirts. We have 90 of them left, in sizes from small to extra large. We have reduced the price to $18 each, including shipping, in hopes that will clear them out. All proceeds go to defraying the cost of the pending appeal in Brian and Ruth's case.
-ed
Make a difference! The Patriot Civil Liberties Union (PCLU) needs your support to continue its work fighting for the right of Americans to be free of government tyranny at all levels and for restoration of the US Constitution as America’s guiding charter. Please mail donations to PCLU, PO Box 1255, Sagle, Idaho 83860. Credit cards: PayPal.com for
Donate@PCLU.org; or click the button to the right...
