Hello Everyone,
I just arrived in New Hampshire Saturday afternoon (29th of May)
I had contracted to occupy a lady's summer home in Salem New Hampshire as caretaker of the property to be there as a witness to any trespassers. The ownership of the property was under dispute.
I expected to occupy the property until the "authorities" had me evicted. This would give the rightful owner some extra time to present her case in federal court. Meanwhile, I would have enough time to during the eviction process to find another place in New Hampshire to live and work. But evidently the bank or whoever the other party is that claims the property had already gone beyond the point where they needed to evict someone.
I crossed the New Hampshire border from Massachusetts at 1:02 pm having driven a full 7 days minus a few hours from Arizona. At about 15 minutes to 2 pm I met with the owner who showed me around the property, told me the history, picked some weeds,… I won't go into detail here because of the pending court case.
Anyway, at about 2:15 or 2:30, the police arrived. Evidently someone had witnessed us on the property, perhaps they had been waiting for us, I don't know, but the police arrived, started asking all sorts of questions, the owner, her daughter and a friend Virginia were there. They didn't seem to be answering many of the questions. I came clean with the reason I was there, invited by the owner to occupy and work on the property as caretaker. I told the officers what my name was and where I had come from, but when they started asking specific questions about how we entered the property and what we were doing and what the other people were doing, who came when and in what car, etc., etc. I said I felt a little uncomfortable answering those questions at this time and I'd rather remain silent until I had time to speak to a lawyer.
They weren't happy with that and arrested all of us between 2:30 and 2:45.
After processing, the owner paid the bail fee. We were all released on our own recognizance. I had to pay to get my car bailed out because it was also arrested for criminal trespass, but the owner promised to pay me back for that. She contacted a supporter of the Free State Project here who was willing to put me up on his couch until I can find a more permanent place to stay.
I figured I would eventually get arrested for some sort of civil disobedience, that was the whole point of packing up everything I own and driving to New Hampshire. I just didn't expect anything to happen so soon,… arrested within 2 hours after my arrival in New Hampshire.
Anyway, I have an arraignment on July 13 and a court date some time after that.
I imagine what I need to do at this point is, 1. find a more permanent place to stay (I'd prefer to settle in the Keene area, which is why I'm posting on this forum) 2. find some work to pay rent wherever it is I eventually settle, and 3. speak to someone who has some expertise in how to handle my case in court.
So, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
John
Awesome start dude! Welcome.
[quote author=cyberdoo78 link=topic=1032.msg9717#msg9717 date=1243902714]
Awesome start dude! Welcome.
[/quote]
Thanks, but it wasn't really my fault. I mean, I expected to get arrested some day for some meaningful civil disobedience. I just didn't expect to get arrested so soon, and wouldn't have chosen this particular issue to make my stand.
Wow that's the worst welcome to our state that I have ever heard of.
I live in Danville, about 15 miles NE of Salem. I can't offer any tangible help like a place to stay.
I think it would make sense to get a lawyer.
One thing you might want to do is look up the property to see what the status actually is.
Here is a link to the Rockingham County Registry of Deeds online search:
http://www.nhdeeds.com/rockingham/RoDisclaimer.html
If you would like to send me the person's name via pm or email, I'd be happy to search for you.
Here is a link to NH's criminal code section on unauthorized entries:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/LXII/635/635-mrg.htm
The most relevant part is RSA 635:2, Criminal Trespass, but there are some references to related laws.
I think the important issues would be:
– The legal ownership of the premises at the time
– Did you enter the house or just stay in the yard
– Was it reasonable for you to rely on the woman's representations that she still had the right to have you occupy the property as her tenant/agent/employee, or were there indications to the contrary, such as signs or entry via unusual means, such as picking a lock.
I'm not asking you to divulge that info in a public forum.
[quote author=curt link=topic=1032.msg9724#msg9724 date=1243909825]
Wow that's the worst welcome to our state that I have ever heard of.
[/quote]agreed!! Welcome home, but sorry for the welcoming!
[quote author=curt link=topic=1032.msg9724#msg9724 date=1243909825]-- Was it reasonable for you to rely on the woman's representations that she still had the right to have you occupy the property as her tenant/agent/employee, or were there indications to the contrary, such as signs or entry via unusual means, such as picking a lock.
[/quote]I think this will be key in your defense
[quote author=curt link=topic=1032.msg9724#msg9724 date=1243909825]
I'm not asking you to divulge that info in a public forum.
[/quote]agreed!!!
[quote author=desertrat link=topic=1032.msg9715#msg9715 date=1243898081]
I just arrived in New Hampshire Saturday afternoon (29th of May)
[/quote]
Date fail.
Just saying
[quote author=Coconut link=topic=1032.msg9729#msg9729 date=1243915266]
[quote author=desertrat link=topic=1032.msg9715#msg9715 date=1243898081]
I just arrived in New Hampshire Saturday afternoon (29th of May)
[/quote]
Date fail.
Just saying
[/quote]
Right. It was a Friday when I arrived. Saturday was a bit confusing. I think I lost most of it. Then there was a Sunday in there somewhere, and I think it's Tuesday already.
Welcome, desertrat! It might have been a turbulent entry, but you'll have a smooth landing once you befriend some supporters. Like us!
Are you going to Porcfest or Burning Porc?