Attorney Aaron Martin, a shareholder in the law firm of Mette, Evans & Woodside based in Harrisburg, PA, successfully defended two political protestors in a Chester County summary trial held on March 2, 2021.

Each client had been charged with illegally protesting in the Borough of West Chester on October 28, 2020.  The non-violent protest had taken place at the height of the 2020 presidential campaign.  Mr. Martin argued to the presiding judge that his clients could not be convicted under the ordinance they were accused of violating and that the First Amendment was implicated by the ordinance under which they were charged.  After a summary trial, the judge dismissed the charges against each defendant.

Because the Constitution protects citizens against being placed in jeopardy twice for the same conduct, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is unable to take an appeal from the dismissals or file any new charges for the incident.

Mr. Martin maintains an active practice throughout Pennsylvania representing private citizens and businesses in the protection of legal and constitutional rights in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings.  He can be reached at admartin@mette.com or (717) 232-5000.