Sovereign Citizens: Above The Law Or Delusional?

The sovereign citizen movement is a loose group of anti-government activists, litigants, tax protesters, financial scammers, and conspiracy theorists. Sovereign citizens have their own pseudo-legal belief system based on misinterpretations of common law and claim to not be subject to any government statutes unless they consent to them. They believe that the government is the illegitimate product of a conspiracy that subverted the original, lawful government. Sovereign citizens claim that people can take steps to divorce themselves from the illegitimate government, after which it has no authority or jurisdiction over them. They are known for their pseudo-legal arguments, as well as unusual behaviours, such as inserting gratuitous punctuation marks in their names or flouting motor vehicle regulations while proclaiming they are “travellers,” not “drivers.”.

Sovereign citizens believe they are free people and therefore not subject to local laws

This belief system is pseudolegal, based on misinterpretations of common law and a rejection of government statutes. Sovereign citizens claim that the current legal system is illegitimate and that they are only subject to God's law or common law, which they believe existed before the conspiracy. They argue that the conspiracy offered privileges such as Social Security and driver's licenses, which are actually contracts designed to ensnare people and make them subjects of the illegitimate government.

By declaring themselves sovereign citizens, individuals assert that they are no longer under the jurisdiction of the government and its laws. They believe that they can ignore laws, regulations, court orders, and taxes. Sovereign citizens often use abstruse pseudo-legal arguments and engage in unusual behaviours, such as inserting gratuitous punctuation in their names or refusing to comply with motor vehicle regulations.

While most sovereign citizens are not violent, their methods are illegal and can lead to criminal activity, including harassment, scams, fraud, and, in some cases, violence. Sovereign citizens may also create their own pseudolegal documents, such as false passports, license plates, or birth certificates, to support their claims of sovereignty.

They claim to be travellers not drivers, and so do not need a driving licence

Sovereign citizens are a loose group of anti-government activists, litigants, tax protesters, financial scammers, and conspiracy theorists. They have a pseudolegal belief system based on misinterpretations of common law and claim to not be subject to any government statutes unless they consent to them.

Sovereign citizens believe that they do not need driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, or car insurance. They claim to be travellers, not drivers, and therefore do not need a driving license. They believe that the right to travel is a fundamental right that does not require a license. However, this argument has no basis in law and has never been successful in any court.

The right to travel, as defined by the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the US Constitution, means that citizens are entitled to the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. This right to freedom of movement means that the government cannot prevent citizens from travelling within the US, living where they choose, or working where they choose.

However, this does not equate to a right to drive a motor vehicle without a license. Driving a car is not the same as travelling. The right to travel means that citizens can use other forms of transportation, such as walking, biking, or using public transport. Driving a car is a privilege, not a right, and requires a license.

The Supreme Court has ruled on several cases that affect what the right to travel includes. For example, in Hendrick v. State of Maryland, the Court explained the basic relationship between local driving laws and the right to travel. In Shapiro v. Thompson, the Court considered whether waiting periods for state welfare benefits deter interstate travel. And in Sáenz v. Roe, the Court evaluated how the right to travel impacts equal treatment between states.

These Supreme Court decisions make it clear that the right to travel does not include the right to drive a motor vehicle without a license. States can require motorists to have a valid driver's license, and driving without a license can result in significant charges.

They believe speeding is not a crime as there is no injured party

Sovereign citizens are a loose group of anti-government extremists, including activists, litigants, tax protesters, financial scammers, and conspiracy theorists. They have their own pseudo-legal belief system based on misinterpretations of common law and claim that they are not subject to any government statutes unless they consent to them.

Sovereign citizens believe that speeding is not a crime, as there is no injured party. They believe that ordinance violations are not valid because there is no victim. However, they fail to understand that there are different levels of legal violations. For example, in Wisconsin, most traffic and other minor violations are ordinance violations, which are civil forfeitures and not criminal matters. Therefore, no "injured party" is needed.

Sovereign citizens often use flawed or invented legal arguments to justify their actions. They may also use irregular documents, such as homemade license plates with terms like "US Constitutional Plate" or "Exempt: Sovereign Neutral Non-Combatant," to avoid paying for their licenses. They argue that they have the right to free movement and do not need a license to travel. However, law enforcement officers are trained to not take sovereign citizens lightly, as some have shown a willingness and ability to be violent.

Sovereign citizens make their own licence plates, believing they are exempt from car ownership taxes

The sovereign citizen movement is a loose group of anti-government activists, litigants, tax protesters, financial scammers, and conspiracy theorists. Sovereign citizens have their own pseudolegal belief system based on misinterpretations of common law and claim to not be subject to any government statutes unless they consent to them. They believe that courts have no jurisdiction over people and that the use of certain procedures and loopholes can make one immune to government laws and regulations. They also regard most forms of taxation as illegitimate and reject driver's licenses, vehicle registration, and Social Security numbers.

Sovereign citizens believe that the right to free movement means they do not need a driver's license or license plates. They feel that they are free to travel by foot, bike, or horse, but that a car is a complex machine that requires training and licensure to operate. Sovereign citizens often make their own license plates for their cars, displaying terms like "US Constitutional Plate," "Exempt: Sovereign Neutral Non-Combatant," or "Sovereign Christian Citizen." They feel exempt from the 'illegal' tax on car ownership.

These homemade license plates and bumper stickers featuring sovereign slogans serve an unintended purpose: they give police officers a warning about how the people in the vehicle might react to law enforcement. Most interactions of sovereign citizens with law enforcement take place during traffic stops. Sovereign citizens consistently violate traffic laws by refusing to use driver's licenses, valid license plates, and to register or insure their vehicles.

The sovereign citizen movement is only gaining strength, tapping into paranoia and distrust of the federal government. It has expanded beyond its original white nationalist environment to people of all backgrounds, including a significant number of African Americans.

They ask Am I being detained? as they believe this is the same as an arrest

Sovereign citizens are a loose group of anti-government activists, litigants, tax protesters, financial scammers, and conspiracy theorists. They have their own pseudolegal belief system based on misinterpretations of common law and claim to not be subject to any government statutes unless they consent to them. The movement appeared in the United States in the early 1970s and has since expanded to other countries.

Sovereign citizens believe that courts have no jurisdiction over people and that the use of certain procedures and loopholes can make them immune to government laws and regulations. They also regard most forms of taxation as illegitimate and reject Social Security numbers, driver's licenses, and vehicle registration. The movement may appeal to people facing financial or legal difficulties or wishing to resist perceived government oppression.

One of the most common ways for police officers to encounter sovereign citizens is during traffic stops. Sovereign citizens often refuse to use driver's licenses, valid license plates, or to register or insure their vehicles. They feel that the right to free movement means they do not need a license. However, they fail to grasp that while they are free to travel by foot, bike, or horse, a car is a complex machine that requires training and licensure to operate.

When dealing with law enforcement, sovereign citizens often ask, "Am I being detained?" They believe that being detained is the same as being arrested. This question is part of their strategy to confuse police officers and cause them to end the encounter. Sovereign citizens may also ask, "Am I free to go?" or make statements like, "I do not consent to being searched." They believe that by not giving their consent, they can negate the authority of the police officer.

It is important for law enforcement officers to be aware of the tactics and beliefs of sovereign citizens, especially during traffic stops. While most sovereign citizens are not violent, some have shown a willingness and ability to be violent. Officers should remain calm and professional, avoid arguing with sovereign citizens, and call for backup if necessary.

In summary, sovereign citizens ask, "Am I being detained?" because they believe that detention is the same as an arrest. They use this question as a strategy to confuse police officers and assert their perceived rights. It is crucial for law enforcement to be informed about sovereign citizens' beliefs and tactics to effectively handle encounters with them.

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