Why does this matter?

American democracy was designed to protect our citizens from arbitrary authority. A fundamental tenet of our republic is due process of law, the notion that the government can not deprive a citizen of life, liberty, or property without procedural fairness, the ability for the affected citizen to be heard, have a fair trial, etc.

When I was banned from Heritage Park, I learned first-hand about the existance of, and what I believe to be the unlawful nature of "trespass warnings." In researching my case I am finding that the Washington State Patrol and General Administration department have very little information related to trespass warnings and, so far, nothing that actually authorizes their use. It's not surprising, then, that there is also nothing written about the appeals process for these banishments. With no authority to ban people from parks and an unknown appeals process, there is very little, if any, due process of law in these instances of liberty deprivation.

I believe these trespass warnings are issued mostly to homeless people, very few of whom have the resources to challenge them, or to challenge the overall illegality of trespass warnings. As far as I can tell, one's only recourse is to file a lawsuit, which is beyond the means and/or tenacity of most folks. I believe this is why General Administration and Washington State Patrol get away with this unlawful practice unquestioned, and I hope to change that.