Bush Lawyer

In general there are four different strategies that can be employed when defending a cannabis charge:

1. Roaring Lion idea: Fuck this law - I don't recognise it

NORML says: The ROARING LION is proud, and staunch with it. The Lion resists every step of the way, making the police and court work for a conviction. First appearance: enter “no plea” and seek legal advice. Second Appearance: “No plea” again. Say you refuse to recognise the charge, because you don’t think you’ve committed a crime. Third Appearance: this is your chance to tell the judge exactly why you think the law stinks, in the politest possible way. Then tell the judge that you will not pay a fine, or do PD. If the court is determined to punish you, it will have to send you to jail, putting strain on an already full up prison system. The more we clog up their system, the less it will be able to cope.

2. Stubborn Mule idea: Fuck this law but don't send me to jail

NORML says: The Stubborn Mule also resists every step of the way, similar to the Roaring Lion strategy, except not taking the defiance quite as far and accepting any sentence imposed to stay out of jail. The penalty for the Mule is not going to be more than for someone who offers no resistance (see Dumb Lamb below), and often will be less, but you cost the system heaps and kept your self-respect.

3. Slippery Eel idea: Technically I am not guilty/should not be convicted of this crime

NORML says: The Slippery Eel avoids conviction by exploiting technicalities and procedural errors in the Police process. Not quite as staunch and principled as the Lion or the Mule, but often can result in the charge being dropped, a not-guilty verdict or no conviction, outcomes which are generally highly expensive and embarrassing for the Police. You won't have addressed the injustice of the current cannabis laws, but you will have clogged the courts and cost the system money, discouraging future prosecutions. Employing the Slippery Eel strategy usually requires expert legal advice.

4. Dumb Lamb idea: I'm guilty make me do your bidding

NORML says: The Dumb Lamb meekly offers their throat to the butcher’s knife, mindlessly going where directed and doing like the police say and pleads “guilty” to get it over and done with. It’s you that’s getting done, while the police get a nice easy conviction.