An Ohio official was arrested for speaking at her own meeting. Her rights were violated, judge says

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

An Ohio official was arrested for speaking at her own meeting. Her rights were violated, judge says

BY MICHAEL RUBINKAM
Updated 5:54 PM EST, January 16, 2024

An Ohio elected official’s constitutional rights were violated when her colleagues on a county board of commissioners had her arrested for criticizing the sheriff during a public meeting, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

Niki Frenchko, the lone Republican on the three-member Trumbull County Board of Commissioners, was placed in handcuffs by sheriff’s deputies at the commissioners’ meeting on July 7, 2022, and charged under an Ohio law that makes it a misdemeanor to “prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting.” The law prohibits obstructive conduct or speech that “outrages the sensibilities of the group.” The charge was later dropped,

Frenchko — who livestreamed her arrest on Facebook — subsequently filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, saying she was ordered to leave the meeting and placed under arrest for exercising her First Amendment right to free speech, and that the sheriff’s department lacked probable cause to charge her.

U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese agreed.

“Here in America, we do not arrest our political opponents,” the judge wrote. “This case tests that longstanding norm as well as our Constitution’s robust protections for free speech that allow us to criticize our representatives and public officials.”

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/ohio-official-livestream-arrest-lawsuit-83ae3db51134025ea9fcb65cbf9ad11a

[getagrip_already]

1. so the sherrif says "my bad" and thats that?

No sanctions? No penlties?

So her rights were violated and thats it? Don't do that again? Not even legal fees?

Doesn't seem right.....

[Bludogdem]

3. Damages yet to be determined

“ Calabrese ruled that the sheriff, two deputies, and both county commissioners named in the suit — one of whom has since left the board — are personally liable for damages. A hearing on damages will be scheduled later.”

[getagrip_already]

4. ahh, missed that, sorry

didn't see that in the article.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Court rules on Frenchko lawsuit

Court rules on Frenchko lawsuit

Both sides granted summary judgment on some claims

LOCAL NEWS
JAN 17, 2024

MASON COLE
Reporter
[e-mail]

WARREN — A ruling from Judge J. Philip Calabrese states that Trumbull County Commissioner Niki Frenchko suffered a “false arrest” and was potentially subjected to several other underlying, unlawful acts detailed in her federal lawsuit against the county, the sheriff’s department, the sheriff, a county commissioner and a former commissioner stemming from her July 7, 2022, arrest.

{snip}

[3Hotdogs]

5. "Here in America, we do not arrest our political opponents,"

At lest, not until January, 2025.

[rubbersole]

7. 'Lock her, him, them and they up'...

[sop]

10. We do, however, arrest top secret-stealing, election overturning, insurrectionist, bank defrauding tax cheats.

[AllaN01Bear]

6. this .ding.

“Here in America, we do not arrest our political opponents,” the judge wrote. “This case tests that longstanding norm as well as our Constitution’s robust protections for free speech that allow us to criticize our representatives and public officials.” so there too. and that includes t,,,,,

[progressoid]

8. One of Frenchko's attorneys, David John Betras, a former Democratic Party chairman

One of Frenchko’s attorneys, David John Betras, a former Democratic Party chairman of a neighboring county in northeastern Ohio, said he represented the Republican official in court because the case has “nothing to do with politics.”

“We can’t arrest each other because you disagree with them politically. Once you start down that slope, it’s bad news for all of us,” Betras said. “Who arrests someone for disturbing their own meeting?”

[multigraincracker]

9. Is there a Federal law?

Violation of a Citizen’s Constitutional Rights under color of law.
Not a lawyer, but like to hear from one.