Sarah Willner—no jail time for blockading WVDEP parking lot

Joe Hamsher and Sarah Willner block entrance to DEP headquarters.

The following is a statement prepared by Sarah Willner after her criminal case was wrapped up this past week. Also, linked below, are a few pieces from Sarah.

For the first time in my life, I have chosen to forgo a trial for a plea bargain. But, I have my priorities and I put my nephew’s wedding before my personal political desires. I have had a hard time adjusting to West Virginia’s “Judge Judy” system. I have been spoiled by federal court and National Lawyers Guild lawyers. Ask for them by name!

I walked into that court room with three charges. The opening salvo from the prosecutor was so untenable that I’ve even forgotten what it was. So my guy goes to the batters’ box and delivers the legal equivalent of a triple, after having cleared it with me because I am the manager. I expected it would take a lot of bargaining and was not surprised to see him come out so fast. I was surprised to hear that he was coming out to let me know we have a deal. I walked out of that courtroom with one charge of obstructing an officer, the most innocuous of my three charges. As to fines, all I can say is that it’s the best Channukah present I’ve ever gotten. The spectrum would have been $500 – $1500 and I have no fine. That leaves me with a suspended 30-day jail sentence as long as I stay within the bounds of my 12-month unsupervised probation which can be served anywhere in the US. So, if I don’t get arrested in West Virginia by this time next year then all I have to worry about now is getting on that train tomorrow.

May all of you have a 2011 full of such wonderful surprises.

Sarah also prepared some additional pieces which have been scanned and are linked below: