The Right to Resist
William N. Grigg - it is often forgotten in police state Amerika that the police are supposed to follow strict rules about their interactions with people. If a cop enters your home without a warrant or invitation, it is your right to treat him just like any other house-breakin. He should consider himself lucky if he is able to walk away. But it doesn't usually go that way. Mr. Grigg summarizes a case in Sarasota, Florida where John Coffin defended his wife from two sheriff's deputies who broke into his garage and assaulted her. The local judge realized that Mr. Coffin was in the right, and dismissed all charges except taking one deputy's taser. It didn't say anything about the deputies being charged with assault, however, and I doubt they will be. Commentary here from J.D. Tuccille. [claire]