A “sovereign citizen” is a term used to describe individuals or groups who adhere to a set of fringe beliefs and legal theories that reject the authority of the government and its laws. Sovereign citizens typically claim that they are not subject to the laws, regulations, or taxation of the government, and they often engage in various tactics to evade law enforcement and legal authorities. It’s important to note that these beliefs and actions are not widely recognized or accepted in mainstream legal or political circles.
Some common beliefs and characteristics associated with sovereign citizens include:
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Rejection of Government Authority: Sovereign citizens often believe that the government has no legitimate authority over them and that they are “sovereign” individuals who are exempt from government control.
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Pseudo-Legal Theories: They may rely on a variety of pseudo-legal theories and documents, such as “common law,” “freemen on the land,” or “legal name fraud,” to justify their claims of sovereignty and to challenge legal proceedings.
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Anti-Taxation: Many sovereign citizens resist paying taxes and may use frivolous arguments or file false tax returns to evade taxation.
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Paper Terrorism: Some engage in “paper terrorism” by filing baseless legal documents, liens, or lawsuits against government officials, judges, or others they perceive as their adversaries.
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Identification Documents: Sovereign citizens often refuse to carry identification, such as driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations, and may produce homemade identification documents.
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Traffic Stops and Encounters with Law Enforcement: Sovereign citizens may become confrontational during traffic stops or other encounters with law enforcement, often refusing to cooperate and questioning the authority of officers.
It’s important to emphasize that the beliefs and actions of sovereign citizens are considered illegal and unsupported by established legal principles. Law enforcement and legal authorities do not recognize these theories, and engaging in sovereign citizen activities can lead to legal consequences, including arrest and prosecution.
Related: Sovereign Citizen Gets Tased Trying To Enter Courtroom