How to Win a Political Trial
by Refuse & Resist!
How to Win a Political Trial
by Refuse & Resist!
A political trial is not an ordinary trial. It is one where the
government has a political reason for prosecuting and wants to get a
conviction, no matter what. That is, the government is out to get you
big time, and the normal tactics for criminal trials will not work (for
example, using influence to get the charges dropped or pleading
guilty to a lesser charge to get a reduced sentence.)
The following are some important principles for winning a political trial:
1.UNITY OF THE DEFENSE When there are several defendants,
there must be a united defense team applying a single defense
strategy so that the government cannot use the defendants against
each other. Normally, each attorney would concentrate just on
getting his/her client off. In a political trial that can be a disaster.
2.THE CASE IS WON OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM There must
be a good legal strategy in the courtroom, but basically political
trials are won outside the courtroom. The defendants must create a
political climate in which the people see that the prosecution is
unjust, and the government realizes that there could be serious
consequences if there is a conviction.
3.DEFENDANTS MUST CONTROL THE DEFENSE STRATEGY In a political trial, the
political issues are often more decisive than the legal issues.
Because lawyers concentrate on technical legal issues, they do not
always understand or appreciate the need for a political campaign
around the trial. Defense lawyers must respect the clients' need to
build wide public support, and adapt the legal strategy to that
purpose.
4.RELY ON THE PEOPLE You cannot rely on "friends" in
high places. In a major political trial, you have NO friends in the
government, and you cannot use slick-talking "important people" to
"help you out." But if you win thousands of ordinary people to your
side, the court will get the message. To do this requires a good
defense campaign dedicated to building popular support.
5.BE DETERMINED AND ANGRY The more you speak out and
denounce the hypocrisy of the government and the mainstream press,
the more you will inspire other people and win their support. People
like to see somebody get up in the man's face, and they will fight for
you if you do. If you are meek and apologetic, they will get
discouraged and turn away.
6.A "FAIR TRIAL" IS NOT ENOUGH A "fair trial" only means that all the
legal rules are followed as they find you guilty. If the government is out
to get you for its own racist, political reasons, the only fair trial is NO
trial.
7.TAKE SECURITY SERIOUSLY The government has the ability to listen to
everything you say. Do not discuss sensitive defense strategy in your home,
car, office, or on the phone. Be on guard against government agents
coming into your meetings. Never talk to any government or police
agent at all; refer them to your attorney.
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