Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

April 22, 2008

If Eric Bryant weren?t an attorney, he probably wouldn?t have been aware of an Oregon state statute permitting citizens to ?commence a violation proceeding? against people who violate traffic laws. And it?s also likely that if Bryant weren?t a lawyer, he wouldn?t have had the nerve to do so against a police officer.

Bryant, a resident of Portland, Oregon, saw police officer Chad Stensgaard pull up in front of a Japanese restaurant and park in a clearly defined No Parking zone. When he complained to Stensgaard, the police officer nonchalantly described his violation as a perk of his profession.

So Bryant filed four separate complaints against Officer Stensgaard carrying potential total fines of $540. Multnomah County has honored Bryant?s complaints, issuing a summons to the police officer to appear in court on May 23.

As Bryant correctly observes, citizens should be concerned when police officers use their status to justify breaking the law.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.