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District Court (N.Y.) Explains Sovereign Citizens/Redemptionist Debt Elimination Theories About as Succinctly as Possible

by Scott J. Hyman |

It was a criminal case, and it’s difficult to do, but Judge D’Agostino in Muhammad v. Smith, 2014 WL 3670609 (N.D.N.Y. 2014) layed out the redeptionist/sovereign citizen movement about as succinctly as possible. Plaintiff's assertions appear to be based, at least in part, on the “redemptionist” theory or the related “sovereign citizen” theory, which are frivolous legal theories that have… Read More

District Court (Ga.) Explains What a “Sovereign Citizen” Is

by Scott J. Hyman |

In U.S. v. Cartman, 2013 WL 2445158 (N.D.Ga. 2013), Judge Carnes tried and convicted a Defendant notwithstanding his assertion that he is a “sovereign citizen”.  Unfortunately, we know more about these Sovereigns that we’d like to, but sometimes one needs – for a Brief or for explanation – a citation for what this is all about.  Judge Carnes’ explained it:… Read More

7th Circuit Explains “Sovereign Citizens” Movement, But Says District Court Should Have Declined Jurisdiction Over the Claim

by Scott J. Hyman |

In El v. AmeriCredit Financial Services, Inc., --- F.3d ----, 2013 WL 1150210 (7th Cir. 2013), Judge Posner writing for the Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit reversed the District Court’s dealing with a plaintiff who purportedly was a member of the Sovereign Citizens movement. The plaintiff bought a used pickup truck in 2011 for $28,000 and financed the… Read More