For everyone who's been concerned by the level of tolerance for FMotL antics in British courts lately, I present this (unverified) tale from the Reddit "Am I Being Detained" forum.
https://www.reddit.com/r/amibeingdetain ... _my_first/
I have been observing a courtroom as park of my ongoing training and had the pleasure of witnessing first hand some of the tactics used by FotL, I'll describe it briefly for anyone who is interested! (Names changed)
NB the charge was failure to pay taxes
TL;DR at the bottom
The defendant was called into the court, and immediately began reading loudly from a large binder, proclaiming himself exempt from the proceedings of the "ship" etc etc. He was eventually shouted down by the district judge who was overseeing the case, and a friend who had come in with him began whispering to him while the judge made clear she wouldn't stand for this shit. She ordered the friend to pipe down, and tried to work out what was going on.
DJ - District Judge Def - Defendant FoD - friend of defendant
DJ: Can you please tell the court your full name
FoD: whispers to defendant
DJ: okay you, who are you? Why are you talking in my courtroom?
FoD: Mame I will be acting as a McKenzie Friend today
(A McKenzie Friend is a usually non-qualified individual who may sit with an unrepresented defendant to offer advice and support. They can be prosecuted for giving misleading advic. It is generally assumed that if someone wants a McKenzie Friend they should be allowed to stay)
DJ: okay so who are you?
FoD: Mame I do not have a name, but have a calling and am commonly referred to as Hugh Jones.
DJ: okay Mr Jones we need to-
FoD: Mame that is not my title. I do not have a name but am commonly known as Hugh Jones.
DJ: do not interrupt me in my court. Is your name Hugh Jones
FoD: no mame.
DJ: okay so what is your name?
FoD: Mame I do not have a name, but have a calling and am commonly referred to as Hugh Jones.
this goes on for some time
DJ: Okay look, for me to determine whether or not you are suitable to be a McKenzie Friend I first need to know who you are. Are you refusing to tell me who you are?
FoD: Mame I have told you who I am. I do not have a name, but have a calling and am commonly referred to as Hugh Jones.
DJ: Okay on that basis I reject your application to be a McKenzie Friend and order you to leave the court.
FoD kicks up a fuss and is shepherded out by the security staff
DJ to Def: okay now I want you to listen to this very closely. I am about to ask you whether you are defendant's name or not. If you give any answer other than "Yes.", I am going to be forced to consider that you are NOT the defendant in this case. As such, you would be asked to leave this courthouse and the trial will continue in your absence. Have I made that all very clear? Good. So, can you please confirm that you are defendants name?
court goes silent, 10 second pause, all eyes on defendant
...
Def: Mame I have no name, I am commonly referred to as Defendant's Name.
DJ: you were warned, Mr Name, please leave the court.
Def shouts about his rights, accuses security of assaulting him as they manoeuvre him to the door etc.
DJ, after he's gone: Right so it seems to me that our defendant has failed to show up in court today. I will be issuing a warrant for his arrest for failure to attend court, and the trial will proceed in his absence.
Virtually as he stepped out of the courtroom he was arrested and remanded in the cells below the court while the trial took place. He was found guilty, and will be sentenced in a few weeks.
TL;DR Freeman of the Land refuses to give his name in court. It is decided he can't be allowed to stay if the court isn't sure he's the defendant. He is removed from the courtroom and a warrant issued for his arrest for failure to attend court. He is arrested and found guilty in his absence.