Understanding the Fee Schedule: A Guide: This is my own post that supplements the main one on our mother website here. Information on the mother website always takes priority over forum posts, of course. However, I am adding this sticky post to help promote conversation and social interaction about the subject in the Freeman Movement Forum. Indeed, you can submit your own experiences any time.
Introduction to the Freeman Movement
The Freeman on the Land movement, often simply referred to as the Freeman movement, is a loosely organized group of individuals who assert that they are bound primarily by statute law only if they consent to those statutes. This belief extends to interactions with governmental agencies, including law enforcement. One of the key tools advocated by the Freeman movement is the use of a "fee schedule," particularly in dealings with police forces in the UK and Commonwealth countries.
The Concept of a Fee Schedule
A fee schedule is a document that a Freeman on the Land may use to declare the monetary value of their time and services. The premise is that by placing a monetary value on their time and interactions with law enforcement, Freemen assert their autonomy and demand compensation for any perceived violations of their rights. The fee schedule is intended to act as a deterrent against unnecessary or unlawful interactions.
Key Components of a Fee Schedule
- Hourly Rates: Freemen often set an hourly rate for their time, which can be charged to law enforcement for detaining or questioning them.
- Specific Charges: Additional fees may be listed for specific actions such as stopping without apparent cause, handcuffing, detaining, or being locked in a cell.
In the UK and Commonwealth, the implementation of a fee schedule typically involves the following steps:
- Drafting the Fee Schedule: The Freeman prepares a document detailing the fees they intend to charge for various interactions. This might include:
- Hourly rate: £1000 per hour
- Stopping without apparent reason: £500
- Detention: £1000 per hour
- Handcuffing: £1000
- Locking in a cell: £1000 per hour
- Informing the Police: The Freeman should serve the fee schedule to the police during or immediately after an interaction. This can be done in person, by providing a physical copy of the document, or through registered mail following the interaction.
- Demanding Payment: After the interaction, the Freeman may send a formal invoice to the police department, demanding payment based on the fee schedule. This invoice should be sent via recorded delivery to ensure proof of receipt.
It is crucial to note that the legal enforceability of a fee schedule is highly contentious and largely unrecognized by courts in the UK and Commonwealth. Law enforcement agencies and judicial systems do not generally acknowledge the legitimacy of fee schedules, and attempting to enforce one may lead to further legal complications or charges such as obstruction of justice.
Differences in America
In the United States, the Freeman movement and the concept of a fee schedule operate similarly but with some notable differences:
- Legal Context: The legal landscape in the U.S. is slightly more fragmented, with different states having varying levels of recognition and enforcement of statutes. This can lead to differing levels of success or failure when attempting to use a fee schedule.
- Implementation: The steps for implementing a fee schedule in the U.S. are essentially the same as in the UK and Commonwealth:
- Drafting the schedule with specific fees (e.g., hourly rate: $100, stopping without cause: $50, detention: $100 per hour, handcuffing: $50, locking in a cell: $200 per hour) (Sample rates to adjust).
- Serving the schedule to law enforcement.
- Sending an invoice demanding payment.
- Legal Challenges: Similar to the UK, the legal enforceability of fee schedules in the U.S. is not recognized by law enforcement or the courts. Attempting to impose such fees can lead to legal repercussions, including charges of obstruction or fraud.
Once you have interacted with the police, and they have ceased detaining you, the following steps can be taken to impose your fee schedule:
- Drafting and Serving the Fee Schedule: Ensure that your fee schedule is clearly written and includes all relevant charges. Serve it to the police either during the interaction or immediately afterward.
- Sending the Invoice: After the interaction, send a detailed invoice to the police department. This should include:
- A reference to the fee schedule served.
- A breakdown of the charges incurred during the interaction.
- The total amount due.
- A deadline for payment, usually within 30 days.
- Following Up: If payment is not received within the specified timeframe, follow up with additional correspondence, potentially escalating to legal action (though this is not typically recommended due to the lack of legal recognition of fee schedules).
While the Freeman on the Land movement and the use of fee schedules are rooted in a desire for autonomy and accountability, it is essential to understand the legal risks involved. The fee schedule is not recognized by law enforcement or judicial systems in the UK, Commonwealth, or the U.S., and attempting to enforce it can lead to further legal issues. Always consider consulting with a legal professional before engaging in such activities to fully understand the potential consequences.
For those committed to the Freeman ideology, using a fee schedule is a strategic tool to assert their rights and demand accountability. However, it must be approached with caution and a clear understanding of the legal landscape.
