The Sovereign Citizen Phenomena

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Beverly O’Connor’
6 years ago
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1 The Sovereign Citizen Phenomena Click to add speaker information

2 I object to the court continuing to identify me as a subject of corporate United States of America, I ask the court to cease and desist this, and acknowledge I am a sovereign citizen with State and Federal constitutional rights and protections of law. - Shawna Cox in her response to the Federal charges related to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge takeover, February 17, 2016

3 Today s Objectives Who are the sovereign citizens? What is their origin? What do they believe? How do you identify a sovereign citizen? What tactics do they use? How can we protect ourselves? Are you ready to know more?

4 Who are the sovereign citizens? The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines the Sovereign Citizen s Movement in the United States as comprised of U.S. citizens who openly reject their citizenship status and claim to exist beyond the realm of government authority.

5 The Department of Homeland Security further defines the sovereign citizen as Extremists: groups or individuals who facilitate or engage in acts of violence directed at public officials, financial institutions Believe the legitimacy of US citizenship should be rejected Believe almost all forms of established government, authority, and institutions are illegitimate Believe they are immune from all federal, state, and local laws.

6 Who might be a sovereign? citizem? Answer: Anyone Efforts to pigeonhole people or groups who ascribe to the sovereign ideology defy categorization Sovereigns cannot be categorized in terms of: Race Gender Political Religion

7 Historical Perspective History of far-right groups and individuals in the United States - Posse Comitatus 1960 s - Timothy Mc Veigh 1995 Groups share an anti- government focus Some white-supremacist elements May engage in violent confrontations with Government officials May engage solely in paper terrorism. May act alone or as part of a group

8 What do they believe? The government operates outside of its jurisdiction. Because of this belief, they do not recognize federal, state, or local laws, policies, or regulations They are sovereign unto themselves, and do not believe themselves subject to governmental authority Redemption allows them to remove themselves from citizenship via notice to the government Redemption frees them from the responsibility to comply with laws and allows them to access their strawman account

9 Violence Continuum Extremist Violent armed Criminal Sovereignsengage in paper terrorism mostly non violent Non- violent; may identify with anti-government ideology

10 Identifying Sovereign Citizens

11 Can you identify a sovereign citizen A sovereign citizen does not have certain look or sound. They are able to carry on intelligent conversation, make jokes, and hold a job. Only when the topic of law and or government arise, or charged with a crime, do their reveal their true beliefs and affiliation.

12 Sovereign Signs It s all in the name JOHN SMITH Do not recognize names in caps All capital letters signifies a corporate shell of a person not a flesh and blood person Birth Certificates Driver License What you may see or hear Smith:John or Smith-Family of John May add Freeman after name House of Smith John-Smith or john-smith I am a agent of John Smith

13 Mail International Postage rates maybe applied for domestic mailings Postage applied upside-down Using registered mail Documents are notarized even if not required Documents may contain phrase Accepted for Value Zip codes May be excluded Placed in brackets [12345]

14 Documents Signatures Followed by SLS Sovereign Living Soul Signing under duress Signature copyright Thumb or Fingerprint shows the uniqueness of the person Blue ink or red ink On or near a signature or seal Blood represents flesh and blood person Use Caution when handling papers in case of biological hazards

15 Documents Indicators Sovereign citizens often produce documents that contain peculiar or out-of-place language. In some cases, they speak their own language or will write only in certain colors, such as in red crayon.

16 Indicators continued Outdated case law Site the 1215 Magna Carta Treaties with foreign governments Use phrase with UCC Uniform Commercial Code Diplomatic Status Admiralty Law Common Law Refer to themselves as American national Site Jurisdiction

17 Indicators continued Many buzzwords are legitimate legal terms when used in the proper jurisdiction Most cases these words are meaningless in the way they are used by sovereign citizens Example They will cite Uniform Commercial Code UCC in child support matters or municipal court issues.

18 Use Of Buzzwords Aboriginal/indigenous Strawman Oath of Office Common Law Man on the land Non-resident alien Free Man El Bey In admiralty UCC

19 Tactics Challenge Jurisdiction Will ask for the Judges Oath of Office May file motions that don t make any legal sense to the court. Appear with advisor who is not an attorney Could appear with a hired court reporter or stenographer OR Will record or video record the proceeding with hidden device

20 Tactics continued May refuse to identify themselves May state they are a diplomat State they are not subject to federal state or local government laws Claim not to be a Fourteenth Amendment citizen Will show a lack of respect to all court staff, law enforcement, and Judges

21 Paper Terrorism Creation of false documents Misrepresentation of identity Frivolous Lawsuits Phony documents including indictments and arrest warrants Liens - Mechanics liens - Construction Liens Fraudulent Use of IRS Forms

22 How Can We Protect Ourselves? Training Staff Staff need to recognize the tactics Harass and intimidate Do not Debate policies or procedures Become aggressive Sign any documents without reading first filed by a sovereign citizen

23 How Can We Protect Ourselves? Courtroom, Hearing Room and or Conference Room Review all motions filed May have a legitimate argument Be Nonreactive you can not debate them Give a defined time for response May isolate them to a location away from public Do not touch them; may file assault charges Understand there may be future backlash

24 How Can We Protect Ourselves? Physical Safety Know your policies Searching a party before entering for weapons or hidden recording devices Have backup or law enforcement present Be prepared to protect against violent behavior Create a team within the state to share information between courts and state agencies to report Sovereign citizens activity

25 How Can We Protect Ourselves? Financial Safety Monitor your credit report Search for Liens Additional 1099 filings against you Professional Safety File complaint with the Bar What to do if you find something Know to whom you refer the matter in your state or office

26 What We Have Learned Who are the sovereign citizens? What is their origin? What do they believe? How do you identify a sovereign citizen? What tactics do they use? How can we protect ourselves?

Sovereign Citizens & Managing the Paper Flow. New Clerk Academy 5/8/2018

Sovereign Citizens & Managing the Paper Flow New Clerk Academy 5/8/2018 1 Meeting Objectives The purpose of the session is to discuss the ideologies of the Sovereign Citizen Movement (SCM) and the best