Jim Johnson, Imprisoned Indefinitely, Moved to Population

July 13, 2011 by Ian
Filed under: Issues, Jailed Activist, Update

Jim Update on Jim Johnson’s case from his wife Lauren Canario: She reports that Jim has been moved out of segregation after two weeks of being held in a small room for 23 hours per day. Jim is now in “D block” where he is able to interact with other human beings, exercise, as well as access a commissary account. Additionally, you can now visit him any day of the week between 8a-12p, 1-3:30p, and 6-10p. His new address is:

Jim Johnson
Cheshire County D.O.C.
D block
825 Marlboro Road
Keene, NH 03431

Jim is being held at the whim of robed man John P. Arnold of the Cheshire superior court. Arnold caged Jim because Jim refused to fill out a court form. Arnold calls it “contempt”. There is no date of release for Jim. There is no way that I am aware of to hold “judge” Arnold accountable for his actions.

Rance!

One important correction: Jim isn't jailed for not filling out a form, it's contempt because he didn't pay the fine. The jailing to pay off a fine is only an option for those with financial hardships, and requires filling out the affidavit. So the judge is giving him the option of paying the fine, proving he's unable to pay with the affidavit, or being held in contempt indefinitely.

He is not being jailed for refusing to fill out a form.

Bradley Jardis

So the judge is giving him the option of paying the fine, proving he’s unable to pay with the affidavit, or being held in contempt indefinitely.

Which violates the 5th Amendment, unless the judge by default puts him into the $50/day routine.

SuJin

Has anyone heard whether or not he HAS filled out the financial affidavit. Not saying that is why he's being jailed currently… I can't wait til he gets out. I miss him. If he isn't out by the time I get back up to NH I'll be going to visit him.
david-keene

I appreciate the comments here ,thy were illuminating
david-keene

I hoping to hear in court someday soon,when the judge says "if you yada yada yada ONE MORE TIME you will he held in contempt!" and the response "i do have contempt for this court" ….lol that would be cool
Bradley Jardis

There is no way that I am aware of to hold “judge” Arnold accountable for his actions.

A website similar to mail-to-jail which has the home addresses of judges so that people can send them letters at home which express displeasure with their tyrannical acts?

Considering their "official" acts bear large consequence on the private lives of others, they shouldn't object to having their own private lives interrupted with letters expressing displeasure.

Best idea I can come up with.
http://freetalklive.com/ Ian Freeman

Incorrect, Rance. The jailing in lieu of a fine is for people who don't pay. People have gone to jail without filling out these affidavits in the past.
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Tom Sawyer

Just to put this whole bullshit episode in context…

The same asshole in a robe was holding Russell Kanning in Cheshire County Jail indefinitely on contempt for not being able to pay the child support demands. While in Van Wickler's jail Russell was held in solitary confinement and was denied the right to bath, in order to try and torture him into "cooperating" with his tormentors.

We went to the jail to show our support for our friend who was being abused. Due to some signage that was later changed to cover up a misrepresentation (better know as a lie). They claimed that it was criminal trespass.

Of the 12 folks arrested that day, who were arrested because they stopped walking to insure that some people were able to safely getting into their cars and leave, some were found guilty in District court and payed fines, some got community service, some were found not guilty. All for the same behavior.

Now Jim Johnson, a good and principled man, is to be held until his tormentors can break him.

How many reading this would stand by their principles and not give in to the torture of isolation and the horribly uncomfortable "mattress" that has been causing him medical damage to his back?
david-keene

I think Ian should get some props-if i have it right- he spoke to rip vanwinkles to expedite jim being out into gen pop..is that right…if so,cool….
Rance!

Ian, they have allowed it in the past, but they really aren't supposed to. I remember Burke explaining it in one of the trial videos. He probably just didn't want to deal with holding people in contempt, so he's giving them "a break". You are wrong, it is intended for people who legitimately can't afford the fine, not someone who refuses to pay the fine. Ask one of your smart legalese speaking activists, they'll explain it.
Richard Bauman

Ian is right. Rance! is not.

NH RSA Section 618:9

618:9 Committal for Nonpayment; Term. – Whenever a person is committed to a county correctional facility in default of payment of a fine imposed by a justice of a municipal court or a district court, he or she shall be discharged from custody by the superintendent thereof at the expiration of a number of days after the date of his or her commitment equal to one day for each $50 of the fine so imposed. The superintendent shall keep a record of all discharges made under the provisions of this section.
Rance!

"imposed by a justice of a municipal court or a district court"

This was imposed in superior court, not municipal or district.

Bradley Jardis

“imposed by a justice of a municipal court or a district court”

This was imposed in superior court, not municipal or district.

Rance is indeed correct. Superior court judges have legal powers that circuit court judges do not. There hasn't been municipal courts in New Hampshire for over a decade and there are no district courts anymore either. That law needs to be updated.

I think the legal argument in support of the judge doing this is that Jim holds the key to his cell in that all he has to do is either pay the fine or prove he doesn't have the funds to do so. This violates the 5th Amendment.

Tom Sawyer

Frickin' apologist for the state…

"Well it is the law, you have to wear your yellow star."

"Well the negro man did step on the shadow of a white man, it's a violation of the law."

Morality trumps what the jackasses can get away with legally.

The more you are exposed to the abuses of the "Justice System" the more you will realize it is a one way processes.

During the trial the asshole bailiff, fully known to and by default encouraged by the robed one, attempted to prevent the "lawful" video recording of the judge in the Jim's "hearing".
outsider

That jew being roasted is not because he's a Jew.

But simply because being Jewish is in violation of the law dammit!
http://nhjury,.com Bob Constantine

…what Tom Sawyer said. Jim Johnson is a good man, not many like him.

This is a travesty.
Confused

Bob, Why don't many people like Jim if he is a good man?
MaineShark

"Many" people /do/ like Jim.

Those who don't… well, evil men often dislike good men.