The Freshet Collective

TO RAISE, MANAGE, AND DISBURSE LEGAL DEFENSE FUNDS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN DIRECT ACTION AS PART OF LIBERATORY GRASSROOTS SOCIAL MOVEMENTS.

COURT HEARING SUPPORT - WE COMMUNICATE WITH ARRESTEES TO INFORM THEM OF THEIR CHARGES AND COURT DATES, HELP THEM FIND ATTORNEYS, AND HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE COURT SYSTEM. WE FACILITATE AND, IN SOME CASES, FUND TRAVEL AND LODGING FOR ARRESTEES RETURNING TO NORTH DAKOTA FOR COURT DATES DUE TO CRIMINAL CHARGES THEY FACE FOR INVOLVEMENT IN DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE. OVER 700 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED AND MANY LIVE OUTSIDE NORTH DAKOTA, HAVE LIMITED FUNDS, LIMITED ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION, UNSTABLE HOUSING, AND OTHER PRESSING SOCIAL PROBLEMS. MANY HAVE LIMITED KNOWLEDGE OF HOW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WORKS. FOR THESE REASONS, TRAVELING TO NORTH DAKOTA AND NAVIGATING THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS IS VERY CHALLENGING. ALL OF THIS IS EXACERBATED BY THE FACT THAT THE NORTH DAKOTA COURTS ARE OVERWHELMED BY CASE VOLUME AND A PROFOUND SHORTAGE OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS. DEFENDANT AND FAMILY SUPPORT - WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO ARRESTEES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE DEPENDENTS AS THEIR COURT PROCESSES PROCEED. IN SOME CASES, WE BUY THEM BUS OR TRAIN TICKETS, OR GIVE THEM GAS CARDS. WE ALSO MAINTAIN 5 APARTMENTS IN MANDAN WHERE WE HOUSE DEFENDANTS RETURNING FOR COURT DATES WHO CANNOT SECURE THEIR OWN HOUSING. WE PROVIDE FOOD AND BASIC LIVING ASSISTANCE TO THE ARRESTEES, INCLUDING COMMISSARY SUPPORT FOR JAILED ARRESTEES. CRIMINAL DEFENSE COORDINATION - WE WORK WITH CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN MANDAN AND BISMARCK TO HELP COORDINATE THE LEGAL DEFENSE EFFORT FOR ARRESTED WATER PROTECTORS. IN SOME CASES, WE PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ATTORNEY FEES AND EXPENSES FOR WATER PROTECTORS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO HIRE THEIR OWN LAWYERS AND/OR WHO ARE INADEQUATELY SERVED BY COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL. WE COMMUNICATE REGULARLY WITH ATTORNEYS TO ENSURE THAT WATER PROTECTORS ARE BEING SERVED WELL. WE CONTRACTED WITH THE NATIONAL JURY PROJECT TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC SURVEY THAT DOCUMENTS THE PROFOUND AND PERVASIVE DEGREE OF BIAS AMONG MORTON COUNTY AND BURLEIGH COUNTY RESIDENTS, WHICH MAKES IT ESSENTIALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO BUILD AN UNBIASED JURY IN THAT AREA, AND WORKED WITH ATTORNEYS TO USE THIS STUDY IN THE DEFENSE OF CASES. THESE ACTIVITIES BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2016, WHEN THE FIRST PROTEST CASES WERE HEARD IN COURT, AND CONTINUED WELL INTO 2018, AS THERE WERE 400 CASES STILL OUTSTANDING. THESE ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED BY FRESHET BOARD MEMBERS AND CONTRACT STAFF. IT IS CONDUCTED IN MANDAN, NORTH DAKOTA.