Your Voice is Your Power. We Protect It.
The First Amendment guarantees your right to speak, assemble, and petition the government for redress. If you have been silenced, arrested, or retaliated against for exercising these rights, Saffold Law fights back.
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The First Amendment is Not Optional
In a democracy, dissent is patriotic. Yet, law enforcement often treats peaceful protest as a crime. From mass arrests at demonstrations to the intimidation of journalists, the government frequently oversteps its bounds in the name of “order.”
At Saffold Law, we are staunch defenders of the Constitution. We represent activists, whistleblowers, and ordinary citizens who have been targeted by the state for what they said or what they believe. We don’t just defend you in criminal court; we file civil rights lawsuits to hold the government accountable for suppressing your speech.
Areas of Free Speech We Defend
1. Protest Defense & Unlawful Assembly
Police often use vague charges like “Disorderly Conduct,” “Obstructing a Highway,” or “Failure to Disperse” to break up legal protests.
- Mass Arrests: We represent groups of protesters who were kettled or arrested without individual probable cause.
- Excessive Force: If you were tear-gassed or shot with rubber bullets while peacefully assembling, we sue for civil rights violations.
2. Recording the Police
You have a clearly established First Amendment right to film police officers performing their duties in public.
- Illegal Confiscation: Police cannot take your phone or delete your footage without a warrant.
- Retaliatory Arrest: If you were arrested for “Interfering” simply because you were filming from a safe distance, we fight to dismiss the charges and sue the department.
3. Journalist & Press Rights
Reporters are the watchdogs of society. We defend journalists who are:
- Arrested while covering protests.
- Denied access to public press conferences or government meetings.
- Forced to reveal confidential sources (Shield Law defense).
4. Online Speech & Social Media
While private companies (like Facebook) can ban you, the government cannot.
- Government Blocking: Public officials (like Mayors or Sheriffs) generally cannot block critics from their official social media pages.
- Retaliation: Public employees cannot be fired solely for posting political opinions on their private time.
The "Time, Place, and Manner" Trap
The government is allowed to place “reasonable” restrictions on protests (e.g., you can’t use a megaphone at 3 AM in a neighborhood). However, they often abuse this power.
We challenge restrictions that are:
- Content-Based: Allowing a pro-government parade but banning a protest because they don’t like the message.
- Vague: Rules that are so unclear that police can enforce them arbitrarily against people they dislike.
What We Fight For
When the state tries to silence you, we amplify your voice.
- Criminal Dismissal: Getting charges dropped for protesters so they don’t have a permanent record.
- Injunctions: Court orders stopping the government from enforcing unconstitutional laws.
- Civil Damages: Recovering money for unlawful imprisonment and violation of civil rights.
How We Build Your Strategy
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1. The Video Review
In protest cases, video is everything. We analyze Body Cam, news footage, and bystander video to prove you were peaceful and complying with orders when arrested.
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2. The Constitutional Challenge
We file motions arguing that the law you were charged under (e.g., a Noise Ordinance) is unconstitutional on its face.
3. The Civil Suit
After clearing your name in criminal court, we pivot to federal court to sue the agency responsible for the violation.
Silence is Not an Option.
If the government has tried to shut you up, you need a legal team that speaks up. Contact Saffold Law to defend your First Amendment rights.
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