Not Guilty – Christians Acquitted After Bible Reading at DMV

I did a search and did not see this information posted on ATS. If mods want to move it, please do so, but I thought this the best forum to post this information. Free speech is no longer free for people despite this happening on public property:

Late Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Timothy Freer found two men “not guilty” after they were charged and tried for reading the Bible aloud in front of a line of people waiting to enter the DMV in Hemet, California. One of them is Pastor Brett Coronado of Reconciled Christian Fellowship in Hemet, California and the other is an elder of the church.

he prosecution needed to prove that the men were required to obtain a permit before engaging in their expressive activity of reading the Bible. After the prosecution rested, the defense team made a motion for directed verdict and Judge Freer entered a verdict of “not guilty” before the defense was required to present its own witnesses and evidence.

Robert Tyler, one of the defense attorneys and General Counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom stated, “The prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof that our clients committed a crime when they read the Bible aloud in front of a line of people.”

Nic Cocis, defense attorney and co-counsel, remarked, “These men were exercising their First Amendment right of Free Speech. They were simply sharing their faith on public property and the criminal charges should never have been filed.”

In order for the prosecution to prove that a permit was required under Title 13, Section 1860 of the California Administrative Code, it was required to prove that the defendants were engaged in a “demonstration or gathering” as defined in Section 1851. Judge Freer ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the men conducted either a “demonstration or gathering.” Both definitions require that the conduct of defendants was such that it had “the effect, intent or propensity to draw a crowd or onlookers” and the prosecution couldn’t prove that to be the case.

Source

Police Arrest Preacher for reading the bible outloud:

Originally posted by UnifiedSerenity
I did a search and did not see this information posted on ATS. If mods want to move it, please do so, but I thought this the best forum to post this information. Free speech is no longer free for people despite this happening on public property:

Late Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Timothy Freer found two men “not guilty” after they were charged and tried for reading the Bible aloud in front of a line of people waiting to enter the DMV in Hemet, California. One of them is Pastor Brett Coronado of Reconciled Christian Fellowship in Hemet, California and the other is an elder of the church.

.

Robert Tyler, one of the defense attorneys and General Counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom stated, “The prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof that our clients committed a crime when they read the Bible aloud in front of a line of people.”

Nic Cocis, defense attorney and co-counsel, remarked, “These men were exercising their First Amendment right of Free Speech. They were simply sharing their faith on public property and the criminal charges should never have been filed.”

In order for the prosecution to prove that a permit was required under Title 13, Section 1860 of the California Administrative Code, it was required to prove that the defendants were engaged in a “demonstration or gathering” as defined in Section 1851. Judge Freer ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the men conducted either a “demonstration or gathering.” Both definitions require that the conduct of defendants was such that it had “the effect, intent or propensity to draw a crowd or onlookers” and the prosecution couldn’t prove that to be the case.

So its simply a case of improper application of Title 13,section 1860. By the way this is not technically a case of a 1st amendment exercise as well.

There are laws on the books dealing with interfering with a crowd already assembled for any other reason and interfering with ect. A legal case could have been made against solicitation of sorts ect. In other words whatever you are on about, to be totally free from possible applications, you should gather your own crowd ect ect.

reply to post by Logarock


Apparently, the judge disagreed with you! Reading a bible is not interfering with anyone. This is simply police harassment.

As Christians we are commanded to share the truth as revealed through Yeshua ha Mashiach / Jesus Christ. I find many are so afraid of the spirit of men they won't stand up for truth even though 80% of Americans profess to be Christians! Where were they when this man was reading from the bible and getting arrested?

I admit there is a difference in what this man was doing and someone screaming at people in public. This man was simply reading the bible aloud in a public place. I can even see if this were a private business the owner having a right to ask him to stop and if he does not, then he can have him arrested for trespassing.

The problem I have it that this was a public office and you should be able to say whatever you want to say. It's called Freedom of Speech!

Mar 16:15 And he (Yeshua) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

reply to post by UnifiedSerenity
What are you talking about? I just said as much.....there was no case to make under the tile. Maybe they were just charged with the wrong section.

reply to post by UnifiedSerenity


They were charged for "reading the bible"??? That is ridiculously sensational don't you think? I am under the impression they were charged for not having the proper permit for a demonstration type activity that could cause a stir in public. Weather they were found innocent or not, they were not charged for reading a bible. Come on now.

Originally posted by UnifiedSerenity


I admit there is a difference in what this man was doing and someone screaming at people in public. This man was simply reading the bible aloud in a public place. I can even see if this were a private business the owner having a right to ask him to stop and if he does not, then he can have him arrested for trespassing.

The problem I have it that this was a public office and you should be able to say whatever you want to say. It's called Freedom of Speech!

Well how is the state not going to be questioned then for allowing a promotion of religion? They have as much right to stop all non related activity going on at the DMV as the private business owner.

By the way the 1st amendment has to do with repressing political speech in public and repressing the right to redress the government by way of public assembly and press. It has nothing to do with reading the bible or Shakespeare at the DMV.

I wanna know how Christians would react if a brown Muslim was in a public office and spouting off texts from the Quaran instead. Think they would have been acquitted for not having a proper permit?

I would call the nut house to pick them up.

i wish they would stop throwing their religion in our face, i'm fine if you want to practice it in your own home but parading around flamboyantly with your religion, not in my America!

this is what i encounter in countless topic regarding homosexuality, see how absurd it sounds?

everyone has the right to their own freedoms

Originally posted by Hollie
I wanna know how Christians would react if a brown Muslim was in a public office and spouting off texts from the Quaran instead. Think they would have been acquitted for not having a proper permit?

I don't want to go to the DMV and hear anyone reading anything that's not related to why I am there and the DMV is there. If I want to hear a Muslim I will go down to the Mosque.

reply to post by Logarock


It's called freedom of speech. I go lots of places and don't want to hear the crap music spewing it's anger and hatred, and yet I have to put up with it. No one if forcing you to take part. I bet you challenge everyone around you who says stuff you don't like right? No? Why not? We know why not, it's called freedom of speech!

reply to post by Hollie


Obviously, you don't get the fact the case was thrown out so they were perfectly within their right to do what they did!

Originally posted by UnifiedSerenity
reply to post by Hollie

 

Obviously, you don't get the fact the case was thrown out so they were perfectly within their right to do what they did!

Or could it be that you don't get the fact that they were not being convicted of "reading the bible". That isn't even why they were in court. You throw in your Christian antics to proclaim freedom of speech. This was about assembly in front of a biz, not reading the bible.

Originally posted by UnifiedSerenity
Police Arrest Preacher for reading the bible outloud:

This is a LIE. You posted a lie!

They were cited for violating California Penal Code Section 602.1(b)

Originally posted by UnifiedSerenity
I did a search and did not see this information posted on ATS. If mods want to move it, please do so, but I thought this the best forum to post this information. Free speech is no longer free for people despite this happening on public property:

Late Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Timothy Freer found two men “not guilty” after they were charged and tried for reading the Bible aloud in front of a line of people waiting to enter the DMV in Hemet, California. One of them is Pastor Brett Coronado of Reconciled Christian Fellowship in Hemet, California and the other is an elder of the church.

he prosecution needed to prove that the men were required to obtain a permit before engaging in their expressive activity of reading the Bible. After the prosecution rested, the defense team made a motion for directed verdict and Judge Freer entered a verdict of “not guilty” before the defense was required to present its own witnesses and evidence.

Robert Tyler, one of the defense attorneys and General Counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom stated, “The prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof that our clients committed a crime when they read the Bible aloud in front of a line of people.”

Nic Cocis, defense attorney and co-counsel, remarked, “These men were exercising their First Amendment right of Free Speech. They were simply sharing their faith on public property and the criminal charges should never have been filed.”

In order for the prosecution to prove that a permit was required under Title 13, Section 1860 of the California Administrative Code, it was required to prove that the defendants were engaged in a “demonstration or gathering” as defined in Section 1851. Judge Freer ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the men conducted either a “demonstration or gathering.” Both definitions require that the conduct of defendants was such that it had “the effect, intent or propensity to draw a crowd or onlookers” and the prosecution couldn’t prove that to be the case.

Source

Police Arrest Preacher for reading the bible outloud:

I live in that area. They're still a pain in the butt. They also congregate outside the courthouse and spew their religious stuff. And i hate when they block my way and get in my face spewing their Psalms and what have you. Thankfully they're not around as much any more. Maybe they drummed up enough business for their church.

Do they deserve to get arrested? No. Like i said, they're more of a pain in the butt than anything.

could you supply some proof that these people are getting in other people's faces or blocking their way? I can understand why people would find them annoying, but as I said, I find a lot of things annoying in public, but I don't expect people to be harassed for it or arrested.

Originally posted by UnifiedSerenity
could you supply some proof that these people are getting in other people's faces or blocking their way? I can understand why people would find them annoying, but as I said, I find a lot of things annoying in public, but I don't expect people to be harassed for it or arrested.

LOL so Christians need proof all of a sudden? That is the funniest thing I have read all day. Anyway, stop sensationalizing stuff. It doesn't do anything for your cause. Good day.

Originally posted by UnifiedSerenity
I can understand why people would find them annoying, but as I said, I find a lot of things annoying in public, but I don't expect people to be harassed for it or arrested.

You're right. And if this crap continues it will bring back Boom boxes to drown them out.

reply to post by Hollie


You're smart a***** comment does not address anything other than you don't like what I asked. He/she is the one who said they are getting in people's faces. I'd like to see some proof of that rather than just a story. Surely, someone has a camera phone handy when this happens.

Breitbart would call people on their accusations and it equally pissed them off. I guess you fall into that category too.