The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, has announced that it will be demonstrating and preaching its “gospel” at the Baltimore County Circuit Court on January 2, 2013. The purpose of this demonstration is to announce divine damnation on Maryland and the United States for its passage of the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which will go into effect January 1, 2013 and under which court clerks are issuing marriage licenses presently (20 Dec 2012).
I will not be participating in the counter-demonstration because to do so would likely disqualify me from representing anyone charged criminally arising out of any such counter-demonstration.
The Law Office of Bruce Godfrey, located in Baltimore County, will represent any person charged with a misdemeanor in the state courts of Maryland arising out of the January 2, 2013 counter-demonstration or related organized effort against the Westboro Baptist Church at no legal fee pro bono publico, and will reduce its fees dramatically in any other case if it accepts that case. This offer is CONDITIONED by the Law Office’s ethical duties under the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct, including the duty of competence; if it appears that representation by the Law Office, even pro bono publico, would be unethical or otherwise against the interest of a prospective client, this offer would not apply. Non-fee costs (filing fees, process servers, etc.) may apply.
The purpose of this offer is not to promote illegal activity but to preserve the civil rights of counter-demonstrators including the right of due process and effective assistance of counsel, pursuant to MLRPC 6.1(a) and related rules.
Not in our town, folks.
God bless you Bruce for making this offer. Sending best wishes for a great Christmas with the two young men in your family. I cannot understand the hate that Westboro has for so many of God’s children.