Good news/Bad news - Result of my trial by jury

Well, there was a verdict by the jury on Tuesday February 24, in my case/s in Lincoln County. It makes my head spin all the stuff I was accused of! Thirteen of fourteen counts were dismissed. That's a good indication that this it is a malicious prosecution. 

I'm appealing the jury decision!!!!! Twelve of them found me guilty on stalking. The Counterman v. Colorado U.S. Supreme court case wasn't mentioned. I discovered that case on my own one night while listening to audio of legislative hearings. There was a discussion about the 2024 case State of Maine v Labbe. 

Anyway, my lawyer spent days preparing a brief. I still haven't even read it entirely, yet the jury made a decision in about an hour. I was expecting my lawyer to spend some time explaining the decisions in those cases, but that did not happen. It seems much of it got condensed; and the information flowed (or didn't) to the jury through the judge's jury instructions! 

There was no mention of the police misconduct and violations of my rights by Lewiston police officers during the 5 arrests. I sure hope the sentencing judge considers that I've suffered much distress and damages during that time from the beginning of March until November when I was finally appointed an attorney. 

"One of the reasons I could use for the appeal," I mentioned in a group that I meet with regularly "is that my lawyer was biting his pen during trial...and that could have prejudiced the jury." Someone responded "There has to be something more." I added "...biting it really hard!"

There is much more though, and I promise I'll post updates here.  

At Oyez there are audio recordings of the arguments in the 2023 United States Supreme court case Counterman v Colorado and documents from the case.  

Jury trial set for Feb 24 in Lincoln County - bail $$ returned

My attorney tells me that Judge Walker amended the counts/charges in my case. What the hell? He will contest it. 

He did ask the court to return my bail money, minus the $60 bail commissioner's fee, times two... I received it on Saturday and I'm heading to the bank now.

Thompson v Clark - 2022 Supreme Court of U.S. - malicious prosecution case

On April 4, 2022 the United States Supreme Court made a decision that gives me confidence that I could prevail in a case of malicious prosecution. 

Immediately following a decision, the Supreme Court puts out a slip opinion before final publication of the case. Here is the slip opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case where I found this: 

EMTs took the baby to the hospital where medical professionals examined her and found no signs of abuse. Meanwhile, Thompson was arrested and charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. He was detained for two days before being released. The charges against Thompson were dismissed before trial without any explanation by the prosecutor or judge. 

At the website for the The Council of State Governments regarding Thompson v Clark, I found more information about the case. Thompson was arrested in 2014 after being accused of sexually assaulting his newborn baby in New York; after examination of the baby it should have been obvious that he was not guilty. 

He resisted arrest; as with my case, in Aroostook County which was dismissed, and the pending case in Lincoln County which I go to trial for on Feb 24-26, it wasn't the original charges that landed him in jail, but his actions in what should be a right to resist arrest in relation to the bogus charges.

It wasn't until 7 years later in 2021 that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) got the case after the dismissal of his 42 U.S.C. 1983 claim was affirmed by the Second Circuit court. 

Before trial the prosecutor moved to dismiss the charges and the trial judge agreed to do so without explaining why. Thompson then sued the officers who arrested him for malicious prosecution under the Fourth Amendment. Per Second Circuit precedent a malicious prosecution case can only be brought if the prosecution ends not merely without a conviction but with some affirmative indication of innocence.

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that you do not need affirmation of innocence for a malicious prosecution case; you only need to show that the case ended without a conviction of guilt. 

After my arrest on July 10, 2024 without a warrant or probable cause, I was  incarcerated for four nights when I failed to appear to pick a jury; Judge Linthicum had denied me an attorney, in violation of my 6th amendment right to counsel and my 7th amendment right to due process. Upon my release, the charges were dismissed. So, I was punished for failing to appear to pick a jury for a trial that was never justified. 

You can go to my July 11, 2025 post to view the dismissal of the case by District Attorney Todd Collins, and the reason. 

Maine Legislature: discussion on Counterman v Colorado U.S Supreme Court (2023)

I found public testimony regarding LD 648, being heard by the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. It allows for parole for a specific population: young adults. You can view the video recording of the hearing for An Act to Expand the Supervised Community Confinement Program. Maine abolished parole in 1976. Studies have shown that until about the age of 26 certain parts of the brain that control impulses aren't fully developed. Many people, including victims of domestic violence, testified in support of LD 648, and only a few argued against it.

After most people had left, the Committee discussed other bills that are more difficult to understand. A woman lawyer who represented the state of Maine in a man's appeal of a conviction for stalking and violation of protection order spoke about the appeal of State v. Jacob Labbe. A 2023 United States Supreme Court case was mentioned. I looked it up, as it could help me. It's regarding true threats, intent (mens rea), and free speech. From page 2 of 57 in Counterman v Colorado, :

First Amendment may still demand a subjective mental-state requirement shielding some true threats from liability. That is because bans on speech have the potential to chill, or deter, speech outside their boundaries. An important tool to prevent that outcome is to condition liability on the State’s showing of a culpable mental state.

Lewiston's Public Safety Committee - Second Chance

I'm interested in knowing more about the Public Safety Committee that's being formed...specifically, how do you get chosen to be on the Committee? I tried to find out 2.5 years ago when the ad hoc Committee was formed, but each time I called city hall I could not get an answer to that, or to when and where the meetings were being held. 

Here's the agenda for the Tuesday 2-03-26 city council meeting. There will be discussion regarding formation of the new and improved Public Safety Committee...item 14. Council meetings are held every 1st and 3rd Tuesday evening at city hall @ 7 pm. An Economic Development Committee is also being formed. 

Regarding who will be on the Public Safety Committee, the mayor would just love to keep most of the former members on who want to stay on. Many of them work for the police department, or in the justice system. Some, like the mayor, are employees of Lewiston city government; one was a council member. Very few were ordinary residents of Lewiston. 

The entire council agreed during one meeting which I attended, that the former Committee accomplished virtually nothing; the mayor, however, disagreed. How much could have been accomplished by a committee which met only twice in 2.5 years? 

The ad hoc Committee was formed just prior to the mass shooting in October of 2023; and one reason was that the librarian was attacked by a homeless person. The fact that it was set up as ad hoc meant that there wasn't any reports required to be made to the council. I'm glad that's changing, but public participation will still be needed in order to bring about changes. If I attend on Tuesday, I'll make my public comment, and then leave and watch the rest of it from home, joining others in the chat room of the City's Youtube channel. 

The governor's duty to the people - The Constitution of Maine

Governor Mills has more power - or responsibility rather - to intervene in law enforcement matters than she lets on. According to the Constitution of Maine, which is 50 pages, you'll find the following on page 24:

Section 12. Shall enforce the laws. The Governor shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

I wrote to Paul LePage when he was governor and tried to get his help regarding injustices in the justice system. I've written to governors LePage, Baldacci, and Mills... and never got assistance from any of them. 

Way back while reading about the People's Veto, which is part of the Constitution of Maine, I read about the petition process. It was difficult to understand. Nothing has changed; on page 17, Section 17, 1. Proceedings for people's veto, is still a hell of a run on sentence...12 lines long!  

 

Delivery confirmed - Complaint to the Internal Affairs Division of Maine State Police, Troop F

I had help from Artificial Intelligence to draft a complaint to the Internal Affairs Division of Troop F of the Maine State Police regarding the 7-10-24 arrest without a warrant or probable cause, by Corporal Ted Martin in Saint Agatha Maine.

I received confirmation that my complaint was received on January 22, 2026 in Houlton Maine.

3:30 pm update: Docket call Lincoln County 1-27-25

My story still hasn't been reported by the media outlets in Maine or anywhere else. My court-appointed attorney sent me the information to appear by Zoom on January 27 @ 2 pm.

Paula - 

Your docket call appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at 2:00 PM. 

The Zoom meeting ID is 921-3895-0273

The pass code is 052459

Update to yesterday's post: 

1-27-26 It's 3:30 pm. I waited 50 minutes but Judge Daniel Billings did not conference me into my own hearing. 

My lawyer just called. I told him that I will not change my mind. If the prosecutor doesn't dismiss all of the charges I want a trial by jury. He did the same thing on November 3, 2025 when I was arraigned, met with the judge and the prosecutor without me. I'm going to ask for transcripts of the discussions they had. 

Vlad's 2012 story / prosecutorial misconduct

Thought I'd bring this case to your attention. Though this is reportedly the only case that the State of Maine has ever settled regarding malicious prosecution, that doesn't mean it isn't happening. From a Sun Journal story on 12-12-12 here are Filler's comments: 

“I believe we all have an absolute moral and constitutional obligation to fight abuse of officials who now wield almost absolute power to destroy our lives and undermine the administration of justice”  ~Vladek Filler

“What my children and I were put through is inexcusable, and I urge the Law Court to review all the evidence I have documented and provided to the Bar Counsel and act accordingly to defend our civil rights.”

And here's a story at Maine Public that mentions Filler's 2015 civil lawsuit. And a summary at Boston.com which states that AFA Mary Kellett only received a 30 day suspension...not enough.

Immunity of goverment officials - Public Safety meeting at noon today

I found this in some notes in my file cabinet today; it's 15 United States Code, Section 1122, regarding immunity. It's judge-made, not legitimate.

There's a meeting today at noon, regarding public safety in Lewiston. I wonder if the Safety Committee, the new one that's supposedly being or been created, will be made up of the same members that were on the former Ad Hoc Safety Committee.  

The Committee was comprised mostly of city council, and city employees (the mayor), and others who work in the justice system such as Lewiston police, the district attorney and county commissioner. 

The Safety Committee only met twice in over two years and did not accomplish it's goals...wait did it have any?

My public comments, recorded on City of Lewiston's Youtube channel

I'm reposting the video of the 7-15-25 city council meeting at the city of Lewiston's Youtube channel. I start speaking at about 2 hours 41 minutes in. I made a complaint, handed it to the former chief of police, David St. Pierre, during the meeting, after I spoke. And this was just weeks before he announced he was retiring.

St. Pierre is not retiring rom law enforcement, just from his position as chief. He's applied to be the next United States Marshal for Maine, and has the support of Senator Collins apparently. 

On August 26, 2025 I spoke again during public comment, and mentioned my complaint which has been ignored. I start speaking at about 10 minutes in. Police departments throughout Maine have been failing to investigate claims of misconduct and blatant violations of rights by it's officers. There is virtually no meaningful oversight of many Maine government employees. 

The Maine Wire speaks with Attorney Randazza regarding Shawn McBreairty, a Maine man who committed suicide. He was the father of a teenaged daughter. He spoke out against school transgender policies, and became the subject of a lawsuit by Maine law firm Drummond Woodsum. I don't know if Shawn realized that he suffered from a condition called Legal Abuse Syndrome.

Former legislator, Jeffrey Evangelos - and video regarding ACLU lawsuit for violations of 6th amendment

It was mentioned this morning in the MPAC meeting that Jeff is not doing well. I've never met Jeff, but I've read about his work. 

At the Beacon there are stories which mention the former legislator who was on the Judiciary Committee. The stories are from 2022 and most were written before the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the MCPDS that spring for failing to provide counsel. 

Here's a video from Carol Garvan of the ACLU, regarding the right to counsel, class action lawsuit Robbins v MCPDS, which the state has argued it should not be a party in. 

Not surprising, Maine's jail costs are rising!

While researching jail costs, I read this story at Maine Public, which mentions the Maine County Corrections Professional Standards Council. So I went to their website. It looks like the Council is going to meet at 11:00 today. I think I'll try to watch through zoom. 

Well the zoom meeting mentioned above lasted only one half hour. I had other questions...maybe next time. So here's a summary of what I took away from today's meeting of the Maine County Corrections Professional Standards Council.

There were only a handful of individuals present, but a quorum. There might be some 4% increase to some budget or item. A report indicating specific mandates must be into the legislature by January 15. For 2025 I believe, about 26,000 people taken in, and 25,500 released. 

There was some discussion regarding that physicals are required to be made within 14 days of intake. It wasn't clear to me exactly what the issue was but I think doctor pay, maybe how to reduce hours, or the number of hours which should be like alloted to each physical. At this point, I enabled my video, then audio, and asked how individuals who arrive with obvious drug addiction are treated. Sent to the hospital within the first 8 hours, I think that's sort of what someone replied. 

I asked if the Council has taken a position on LD 1962 regarding the Ombudsman position. They haven't submitted testimony, and didn't really indicate either for or against. I told them there was still time to put in testimony, and that I had submitted testimony in favor of the bill but that I would like the county jails included; one who spoke in favor thought MDOC employees might need protection from or need to file a complaint regarding a prisoner/s, and that they could benefit from such an Ombudsman position.  

I did insert this comment into the chat room: So too many hours might be being spent by jail employees on processing an individual who is being released. And that was after it was suggested by one of the Council that perhaps there are too many hours being spent, or too many individuals involved in the process. There was not much activity in the chat except for that; and once it was determined there were no questions, the meeting was adjourned. 

Jan 7 @ 2 pm Criminal Justice and Public Safety

It looks like the public hearing is about to begin They've starting late. They are talking about immunity regarding if someone is overdosing, they can call for help to save someone's life without worrying about being charged with a crime. They are talking about adding training for law enforcement regarding this Good Samaritan Law. 

There's public testimony scheduled for LD 1962 to create an Ombudsman for the Maine Department of Corrections but yet I don't see it on the list. 

Public safety UNofficials

Well, I'm listening to yesterday's meeting in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. I just clicked around 1:59:00 and a few minutes in, Mike Sauschuck is talking. He's in charge of public safety. I spoke with him last spring, at the free screening of the documentary about homelessness in Portland, called Under the Bridge. I told him about the wrongful arrest in Aroostook County in July of 2024. He offered no help, none. The Maine Criminal Justice Academy rarely penalizes law enforcement in Maine, I don't care what Sauschuck says.

Here’s something from a News Center Maine story about the meeting. Sauschuk wouldn’t answer a legislator's question regarding Justin Savage who is suing the state for $100 million after being beaten while in handcuffs.

Representative Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, brought up Savage’s arrest during the committee meeting, “I was hopeful that I would get some kind of appropriate response about why the officer in question was promoted while being the subject of an investigation.” 

My public comments: link to the videos at Lewiston's Youtube page

The following was posted on 8-21-25, though the 8-26-25 meeting had yet to happen. The reason for that is that I started a post on that day intending to insert the meeting minutes from July 15, but they weren't approved until September 2. Then I went back to that blank post and wrote about the meeting of 8-26-25. 

I've been arrested two more times since then, on September 2 and October 8. The last warrant was sealed; and when I tried to resist, police called my landlord and he gave them access. I recently posted the list of the charges I am facing which were recently sent to me by the attorney who was court-appointed to me after the district attorney, Kent Murdick, wanted to jail me for about a month for violations of bail conditions which were an unlawful violation of my right to free speech. 

On 8-26-25 a special meeting was held to discuss the hiring of a new police chief. I spoke at about 10 minutes, 52 minutes, and 1 hour 23 minutes in. The 8-26-25 meeting was streamed and you can view it here. 

I spoke at council meeting on April 1 also, just two days after Lewiston officers breached my door. Here is a link to the meeting minutes, in which I'm mentioned on page 1 and 3. 

On July 15, I made public comment, and I handed the chief of police, David St. Pierre, my complaint. The new city administrator, Bryan Kaenrath, is a former legislator and was mayor of Waterville. He said the meeting on July 15 lasted 8 hours and that was why it was taking so long to approve and post the minutes. 

As there was a warrant for my arrest at the time, I left immediately after I gave St. Pierre my complaint. Today I found the Youtube video of the 7-15-25 meeting. I speak at 2 hours 41 minutes into the meeting; we were there longer but the council had gone into executive session prior to that and recording was stopped. 

In my complaint, I claim that Lewiston police on March 24 and 30 of 2025 acted on warrants that were based on false claims. Nonetheless, the next morning, July 16 St. Pierre sent officers to my apartment building to arrest me. I wasn't home; Pete called to tell me, and I turned myself in the next afternoon...my freedom costing $560. 

The arrest warrant in Lincoln County was issued on June 12 after I failed to appear for my arraignment; I'm being charged with stalking and violation of a protection order. I called the court on June 11 to report that I was unable to appear due to an obstruction in my eye that happened while Pete and I were removing a bush at our property in Saint Agatha. Also eye drops that I had started using two weeks earlier had caused much irritation in both eyes.

At the meeting I mentioned the threat I had received from a tenant in Aroostook County last summer, and how Lewiston officers did not consider the message to be a threat when it clearly was. Finally I asked for accountability, and new ways to handle protection from abuse orders. I mentioned that alienation of good people from children's lives may be contributing to child abuse and neglect in Maine.

Charges in Lincoln County - 2nd malicious prosecution against me

These are the charges that led to my 5 arrests. I cannot mention my accuser/abuser's name as that could result in a 6th arrest. Judge John Martin has placed conditions on me which are in violation of my first amendment right of free speech; speech that doesn't harm is protected.  

 

Proportionate penalty - crime research paper

A person, whether rich or poor, can easily lose everything after just a few days in jail. I was so sure I had read an old Supreme Court case in which punishment for a crime shouldn't interfere with a man's livelihood. I just couldn't find it again, until I found a research paper at the George Mason University:

To be sure, with respect to minor offenses, the proportionate penalty could be one that is in accordance with the offense's gravity and leaves the offender with, at a minimum, his livelihood. 

It was on page 17 of a 2015ish George Mason University School of Law paper by Craig S. Lerner about the 800 something year-old Magna Carta...ahhh.

Failure to Appear (FTA) and how your state treats it

Here'a a good article at Prison Policy Initiative regarding failure to appear (FTA) and there's a link to a chart where you can find how your state treats it.

Nearly every jurisdiction permits additional charges to be brought against someone who misses court, including the imposition of fines and imprisonment, with the exception of two states: Illinois and Mississippi. Four states — Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, and South Dakota — treat failure to appear as a strict liability offense, meaning no evidence of intent is required to hold defendants criminally responsible for nonappearance.

Of course, Maine, at the bottom. Cash bail is supposed to be an incentive for you to show up, or they get to keep the money put up. It's also another way to extract money from the innocent who've been wrongly arrested. 

Maine Commission for Public Defense Services (MCPDS) letter

I asked my court-appointed attorney for the letter that I heard the executive director of the MCPDS sent to the 8 district attorneys in Maine, and Attorney General Frey. He sent me a PDF and I tried to link it here, but it came up as blocked; in the address line was about:blank#blocked. 

I printed out the letter, and photographed it. I'm hoping that when I change the ink cartridge, the smear will disappear.  

If you are being maliciously prosecuted, send this to the DA to remind her/him they work for the people of Maine, not the person who signs their paycheck. 

Sworn statement signed months after arrest in Disorderly Conduct case

I was arrested on July 10, 2024. The officer signed the sworn statement months later, on February 10, 2025. The officer lied; I didn't use fireworks, plus they aren't illegal.   

Corporal Ted Martin failed to make a report or even issue a warning to the man who threatened me by text on June 6, 2024 after lying about being shot! He locked Pete and I out on July 8, 2024 and yelled violently at his brother and I on July 10, 2024. Officer Martin responded to both calls...and I was arrested for a slight argument with Pete on July 10, 2024. I've made a complaint to Officer Christopher Tupper, but absolutely nothing is being done to investigate Martin. 

The case has since been dismissed, because the DA felt that I'd been punished enough (four nights) for failing to appear to pick a jury after I was denied an attorney. The officer, district attorney, and judge are all guilty of violating my right to due process and maliciously prosecuting me. 

Case # AROCD 2024-20209 

District Attorney: Todd Collins  

https://aroostook.me.us/appointed-elected/district-attorney/

Arresting officer: Maine State Corporal Ted Martin, Troop F

https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/find-local-troop/troop-f

Presiding Judge: Stephen Nelson Superior Court Aroostook County, Maine

https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/superior/aroostook-caribou-sc.html

 

Resisting arrest: 1982 U.S. V. Danehy (11th circuit case)

It's usually not smart to forcibly resist an arrest, because law enforcement has more power than the average individual; and from my own experience, once they make a decision to arrest, officers rarely change their mind, or rarely question the validity of a warrant, or authority of a judge...no matter how nicely you ask.

I found information about resisting arrest at Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association in Texas. Mentioned was a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court case, U.S. v Danehy. There were a few other issued discussed, so I won't try to summarize the case. What I didn't expect was this reference to a case from 6 years earlier:

Speaking for the court in United States v. Johnson, 542 F.2d 230, 233 (5th Cir. 1976), Judge Morgan evaluated the current vitality of the common law right to forcibly resist unlawful arrest. He concluded that old Fifth Circuit case law on the subject had been "sapped of its precedential value" by the persuasive authority of decisions from the other courts of appeals. Those decisions recognize that the common law right to resist an arrest that is not based upon probable cause, suited though it may have been to a past era, has no significant role to play in our own society where ready access to the courts is available to redress such police misconduct. 

Huh? Ready access to the courts is a fallacy. Immunity from prosecution is a judge-made rule. The decision in United States Supreme Court case, Stump v. Sparkman, in 1971 made it quite difficult to get a judge held accountable for violations of rights. And soon a similar immunity was granted to law enforcement.  

There's a whole bunch of cases mentioned at the website Casemine which were cited in United States v. Danehy...many of them from the 1970's. 

Added our Short-term rental!

On the Home page, I just added the link to our Air BnB listing: GOT GEAR? Stay here!  Text Paula at 2074365111 if you have questions about booking.

Letter sent to Judge Nelson, DA Collins, Sargeant Harris

Just in case you haven't yet, you should read my 1-06-25 and 12-24-24 posts. I was prohibited by bail conditions to be at my own property after being threatened and wrongly arrested in July of 2024. I posted the actual threat and showed who i sent copies of it to. 

1. The court in Caribou (presided over by Judge Stephen Nelson) where I was being prosecuted

2. District Attorney (Todd Collins and assistant Jon Engles) who were prosecuting me, but have since dismissed the case. 

3. Sargeant (Brian Harris) of the troop which the corporal (Ted Martin) who arrested me belongs to. Nobody replied.    

Links to 4 reels about my arrests...it's dirty work

Today I went to my reels at Facebook, and found how to get the links to them. Here are the ones in which I tell a little about the multiple arrests and the malicious prosecutions against me...starting with the most recent. 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1414077543138478/?s=fb_shorts_profile&stack_idx=0   July 17 2025 part 1 of 2 On this day, I'm at a friend's house and decided to turn myself in; but $1500 is what Officer Clemenski had said was my bail amount.  

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1555072065465933/?s=fb_shorts_profile&stack_idx=0  July 17 2025 part 2 of 2 After I was wrongly quoted $1500, the clerk of court is reading the case numbers in Lincoln County and confirming it's $500 bail, plus $60 to the bail commissioner.  

https://www.facebook.com/reel/4099216030357185/?s=fb_shorts_profile&stack_idx=0  March 31, 2025 I arrive back home after being gone all day trying to get my phone back or get a new one. I can't open my door after it was breached by five officers the night before and the maintenance man somewhat fixed it.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1210034270748395 February of 2025 I receive a letter from DA Todd Collins, dropping the charge of attempted disorderly conduct in Aroostook County...but adding one for disorderly conduct.

I've been posting stories, but they disappear in 24 hours. I also posted videos, and some have gotten nearly 1000 views. I'd like to hire a little help with all this technical stuff, like monetizing, podcasts and social media! If you want to discuss this with me, text me at 207 436-5111. 

If I get enough interest I'll do a podcast or zoom meeting. I already picked a name: Dirty Work...because civilians are doing the dirty work our elected officials should be doing to hold those who work in the justice system accountable when they violate our rights. 

Don't forget I have a search bar at the top left corner of the home page. If you are reading on your mobile device you might not see it. You can search for topics or people I may have written about.

Civil rights lawyer wanted...NEEDED!

I am trying to raise money to hire a civil rights attorney by auctioning this storage bench that I built. I made a ten minute video explaining. And the bidding will start at $10,000...that's what I've been quoted by one attorney as a retainer to take the case! 

Hey maybe he'll accept the bench as a retainer. Someday it may be valuable, as this is my Rosa Parks moment; I just wish the media would do a story and report the many violations of my rights. 

I will continue to resist arrests that I know to be without probable cause. I only do it from behind closed doors however, because to do otherwise could end with me being injured or killed. We do have the right to resist an unlawful arrest, but that right has been eroded over the years, due to officers and others who work in the justice system having immunity. They do not have immunity however when they act under color of law.  

Here's a link regarding 42 USC Section 1983 Civil Action for Deprivation of Rights. 

Another arrest - now totaling 7 in 15 months

Yes, seven arrests regarding two cases: the one in Aroostook County has since been dismissed.

The warrant which was sealed, was in violation of my 1st amendment right of free speech. It could be unsealed now that it's been executed. I've already written about yesterday's arrest, on facebook today, 10-09-25. Go there to read about it. 

https://www.facebook.com/paula.jeanne.michaud 

My email to the ACLU regarding excessive force and cruel and unusual punishment

There is a case pending in Maine Supreme Court, filed by the ACLU regarding warrantless arrests. You can read about Gaul v York County here.

The plaintiff, Caleb Gaul, claims he received a payout from law enforcement. On July 14, 2025 I posted a link to his facebook post, but just checked it and apparently he removed the video. 

Regarding the right to counsel, the ACLU filed a lawsuit over 3 years ago, on behalf of defendants facing jail time who were not appointed attorneys; Robbins v State of Maine has been certified as a class action lawsuit.  

Below is my email of 8-30-25 to the ACLU, and it includes my complaint to the Chief of Police of Lewiston, David St. Pierre, who announced his retirement soon after I handed the complaint to him at council meeting on 7-15-25. Despite that I notified him that the warrants were obtained without good reason, and asked Chief St. Pierre to investigate, he sent officers to arrest me the following day! I wasn't home and later turned myself in on July 17, paying the $560 "pay not to stay" fee called bail. 

On 8-30-25 I wrote to the ACLU (info@ACLUMaine.org) regarding the multiple arrests of me, based on false claims. 

Paula Michaud <paulajmichaud@gmail.com>

10:51 AM 

You have a case pending in Maine Supreme Court regarding warrantless arrests. I was arrested last summer after my family and I were threatened by a tenant. No warning was given to the tenant, but I was arrested without probable cause or a warrant, based on nothing but the guy's lies. I was charged with disorderly conduct. The police officer never made a report of the threat that I had received through text message. I spent 4 nights and 4 days in Aroostook County jail over Memorial Day weekend for failing to appear to pick a jury for this malicious prosecution.

In Aroostook County jail, I was thrown in the hole and left there for 18 hours for not complying with processing; I failed to tell where I was born. In the hole I had a hole in the floor for a toilet, and I was being choked by the vapors from my urine until finally a guard pushed the flush button after I complained. I did not get to make a phone call until Tuesday afternoon just before my release. The D.A. dismissed the charges saying that I'd suffered the consequences for failing to appear. 

No attorney could be appointed to me, the judge in Fort Kent District Court said at my initial appearance, because the state wasn't asking for jail time. The appointment should be based on whether the charges could result in jail time; obviously I did spend time in jail, so can I get an attorney appointed now? I never gave up my right to a jury trial, which cannot be withdrawn without the consent of both parties, MRCP 38 e. Furthermore, most people even if they can initially afford a retainer fee will be poor by the time a case is concluded.  

I am now being prosecuted based on other false claims; and the Lewiston police have arrested my three times due to the false claims. One of those arrests resulted in breaching of my door for failing to comply with what is another false arrest and malicious prosecution.

I would like the ACLU's assistance. 

Jailed over Memorial Day weekend / and another warrant since issued for my arrest!

I was jailed over Memorial Day weekend for failing to appear to pick a jury regarding phony charges in Aroostook County for which I was arrested on July 10 by Corporal Ted Martin. I had telephoned Maine State Police to make a complaint about a tenant who had yelled quite violently at his brother and I as we stood in the driveway attempting a conversation. 

Two nights earlier we had called police when the guy locked us out of the home he shared with Pete; and on June 6 he'd sent us disturbing texts and telephoned us at 2:30 a.m. claiming to have been shot by so-called friends of our oldest son. The officer didn't even look at the texts I told him about, or interview the guy's brother regarding my claim on July 10 that Kevin was being disorderly. Below is a text he sent to Aaron. I had called police and confirmed there'd been no reports of gunfire in the small town of Saint Agatha; Kevin was lying. He knew Aaron was severely beaten by gang members in Lewiston in October of 2022.

Martin spent about a half hour speaking with Kevin while Pete and I waited in the garage. Meanwhile we had a slight argument, and it's for that I was arrested and charged with attempted disorderly conduct!?!? The district attorney, Todd Collins, dropped that charge, saying the wrong subsection had been cited...but added one for disorderly conduct! We started the eviction process, but Kevin moved out before we got very far with it.

In his report, Corporal Martin lied... said I was intoxicated on July 8. I was not and can prove it; I recorded audio and I am speaking clearly, not slurring my speech as he claimed. I requested trial by jury and was scheduled to pick one on May 5; however I forgot to add the date to my calendar. I received notices regarding two other court dates in Lincoln County around the same time; it's more false claims, another malicious prosecution!

Pete and I left Lewiston for Northern Maine on April 25, and I didn't bring the notices with us and I missed the hearing to pick a jury in Aroostook County. It was during the eviction of yet another tenant, Michael Morgan (AKA Goldilocks), on May 23 in Fort Kent District Court that I was arrested for the failure to appear. Judge Nelson was presiding over that case too, and he recognized me. 

I spent the first 18 hours of my confinement in Aroostook County jail in "the hole" because during processing I didn't answer the question "Where were you born?" I wasn't given a phone call until Tuesday afternoon just before my release. And here's the status of my case now. 

D.A. Todd Collins dismissed the charges. He should be indicted for malicious prosection and Corporal Ted Martin for the false arrest, and his failure to issue at least a warning to Kevin Thibeault regarding the threats and intimidation. As stated in the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding the right to a trial by jury, it cannot be withdrawn without the consent of both parties. I want a trial by jury trial and an attorney appointed to me, despite that the charges against me have been dismissed. 

Caleb Gaul says he received a settlement from Maine cops

I read about a case of warrantless arrest a while back, like 4 or 5 years ago. Since then I've been wondering its status. Caleb Gaul had the assistance of the ACLU of Maine to sue law enforcement after he was arrested in his yard. 

Well, I found him on Facebook recently and friended him. He put out a short video. Apparently, his ex is keeping him from his children. He says so at the very beginning of the video when he lights up paperwork regarding the guardian ad litem. 

Then he says he was paid off by the cops and will eventually be paid off by the judges in Maine. He's no longer in Maine by the way. Here's the video. 

Taxpayers are the ones paying the cost of settlements when State of Maine employees misbehave. Maybe Caleb is under an obligation not to discuss or disclose the terms of a settlement; but Maine taxpayers have the right to know how our money gets spent...to know how much the misdeeds of law enforcement cost us.