Orlando, Florida police held a man 18 days without bail for chalking

Timothy Osmar, 25 years old, was arrested and spent 18 days in jail without bond for writing such things as "Justice Equals Liberty" on sidewalks.  In this case, the law is a misdemeanor municipal ordinance against "Advertising Matter".  It turns out, though, that Mr. Osmar WASN'T even CONVICTED!  Finally, after 18 days, the city prosecutor dropped the charges.  


http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-01-12/news/os-scott-maxwell-chalk-arrest-011312-20120112_1_chalk-arrest-orange-county-jail
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-01-11/news/os-tim-osmar-chalk-writer-occupy-orlando-20120111_1_chalk-protester-sidewalk

Though city officials dropped the charges, City Attorney Mayanne Downs said that was because they felt Osmar had spent enough time in jail. Anyone who "defaces" the sidewalk or other property, even with chalk, still could be arrested, she said.


http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-01-11/news/os-tim-osmar-chalk-writer-occupy-orlando-20120111_1_chalk-protester-sidewalk




Chalk-protest arrest proves costly for Orlando taxpayers

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002945438
Cost of a 15-pack of Crayola sidewalk chalk: $4. Cost to Orlando taxpayers for arresting chalk protester: $196,363. 

After losing a federal lawsuit filed by a man wrongly jailed for chalking protest messages in front of City Hall, Orlando has now settled all its legal bills and damages. 

Chalk protester Timothy Osmar, who sued the city after his arrest, was paid $6,000 in damages, and the three First Amendment attorneys who took his case split $35,000. 

But the biggest expense was the two high-powered law firms hired by City Hall: Akerman Senterfitt was paid $83,293, and King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth was paid $72,070.

As soon as he was released, he was back at it again, chalking in front of City Hall until he ran out of chalk - a unrepentant chalker, just like me.