Ethical Questions Surround Ammon Bundy’s Legal Team

[Egnever]

http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/legal-ethics-ammon-bundy-lawyer-oregon-refuge-occupation/

While Ammon Bundy was teaching others about his interpretation of the Constitution, lawyers were schooling him about potential violations of federal laws as the militant leader led the occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

On Jan. 14, Ammon Bundy confirmed he met with lawyers over the previous weekend; however, he didn’t name them. “I did, and they had their suggestions, but look, we’re not breaking any laws,” Bundy said. “They made a list and shared it with us and we’ll keep that in mind, but again, the federal government has no authority on this land.”

Bundy retained the Arnold Law Firm. That retention could potentially be a violation of Oregon State Bar guidelines.

That action could potentially violate Oregon bar rules, specifically, section 7.3. Portland criminal attorney Janet Hoffman said that the rule prohibits attorneys from soliciting clients by phone, electronic contact or in person.

So these lawyers saw a juicy case coming and ran up to see them. While they were there they gave them a list of all the laws they were probably violating and told them things they should try to avoid doing. Which makes this next part make these Bundy clowns even more despicable if that is even possible.

Militant Leaders Ordered Young, New Recruits to Break Laws

Two of the last holdouts on the refuge — David Fry and Sandy Anderson — confirmed to OPB that they, too, saw militant leaders order those outside the inner circle to break laws, like using government computers, driving federal vehicles, or plowing new roads on the refuge.

There is more at the article but basically the guys running the show went out of their way to avoid doing stuff they knew to be illegal while at the same time ordering the lackeys to do it.

The ambulance chasers they have representing themselves now apparently told them how to go about it

Looks like Ammonds lawyer might be the next one indicted LOL

The part I like the best though is this

As of Friday, Feb. 5, that page had raised about $27,000 of its $100,000 goal.

The go fund me is not go funding so much. Sure they are a good portion of the way there, but with all the supposed support one would think that would be overflowing already. Waitresses with crappy comments for tips have done better in days. These guys have had almost a week already.

For 25 days this thing was painful to watch but it has been pure comedy gold since the feds showed up(aside from a man dying over it).

The four holdouts are still there, sadly they are now down to an FBI provided cell phone with limited communication in and out. I am sure the world is missing out on some great yallqeuda antics because of that, but it will likely be over sooner because of it. A tiny part of my heart will be sad when those last four are lead off in cuffs.

[Democat]

1. The Oregon law sounds unconstitutional?

If a lawyer finds out about someone who needs legal help, the lawyer cannot contact that person and offer help?

For example, if a lawyer watched a video of an innocent man being shot by police, that lawyer could not contact that man (or his family) and offer legal help?

What about an animal rights lawyer offering to help a cause they believe in?

Isn't stopping a lawyer from offering to help a political cause a violation of the first amendment?

[tencats]

2. Oh my, it gets more crazy

I love this from the article:

"An OPB reporter also witnessed Ammon Bundy telling television journalists that he would not drive federally owned vehicles, use federal computers, or engage in other illegal activities that other, rank-and-file, militants had done."

"Ryan Bundy was asked about his brother’s comments, and acknowledged militant leaders would not engage in those visible crimes, because younger militants and newer recruits were less likely to be prosecuted."

Isn't this similar to what a lot of inner city gangs do. Have the youngest gang members commit the most serious crimes. The reasoning being that they're not as likely to be prosecuted. Of course, wouldn't conspiracy laws still make the other members of the conspiracy fully liable here.

And now, to make it much worse, these Oregon attorneys are now saying they weren't retained as Bundy's lawyers until the morning of the arraignments. Which means all those conversations at the refuge weren't privileged. Which means they are at best potentially witnesses against their own client, or co-conspirators in crimes committed.