The arraignment for Rich Paul, an activist arrested twice at the daily 420 rallies in Keene for marijuana possession (RSA 318-B), took place on 2009-11-02 at 09:00 in Keene District Court.

Rich remains free on bail. He was first arrested at the daily 420 rally on 2009-09-26, where he was cited and released on $1000 personal-recognizance bail. He was again arrested, along with five other people, at the rally on 2009-10-17, the day of the yearly Keene Pumpkin Festival, and again cited and released.

The case is being prosecuted by Keene’s police prosecutor, Eliezer Rivera, and presided over by notorious judge Edward J. Burke.

The prosecution has lowered both charges to B misdemeanors, meaning Rich isn’t facing a jail sentence. However, Rich plans to refuse on principle to pay any fines meted out, and per RSA 618:8, will thus be required to serve a jail sentence at the rate of $50/day. The reduction to a B misdemeanor also bars him from requesting a de novo trial in Superior Court in front of a jury, and from requesting a public defender to assist in his defense.

The trial for both charges is scheduled for 2010-02-24 at 10:00.

Eight to ten activists showed up at the arraignment. Thanks to Ian Freeman for providing us with most of the details in this report.