Cissell Gets Probation, Suspended Jail Time, in False Statement Case (video)
(Crystal A. Proxmire, April 8, 2014)
Andrew Cissell, who was convicted of making a false statement on an initiative petition in connection with the Nov. 2013 ballot initiative to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana under Ferndale ordinance, was sentenced in 43rd District Court in Hazel Park today. The 26-year-old Oak Park resident was given a 75-day jail sentence that was suspended on the condition that he meet the requirements of 18 months’ probation, including over $1,800 in fines and court costs, 200 hours of community service, and a class on responsibility.
“Read this every day. Stay in full compliance. Don’t take matters into your own hands. If you have a question, call your lawyer. Stay on top of this thing. Keep it a priority in your life,” said Judge Charles Goedert, who presided over the case.
Oakland County Prosecutors presented evidence that Cissell had used his father’s address in Ferndale when certifying the petition, though it was not his primary address. Cissell and Attorney Lisa Dwyer argued that Cissell had considered that his primary address. However a jury found that not to be the case.
Cissell is active in the marijuana decriminalization movement, working on petitioning campaigns in several cities including Oak Park, along with the group Safer Michigan. He is also running for State Representative for the 27th District, which includes Oak Park, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Berkley, Huntington Woods and Royal Oak Township.
His legal woes do not end there though. Cissell is facing various manufacturing and distributing of marijuana charges in connection with an undercover Narcotics Enforcement Team bust in August 2013. After selling marijuana to an informant in Detroit, Oakland County NET officers pulled Cissell over and confiscated marijuana from his vehicle and two homes. Cissell is a registered patient and caregiver in Michigan, though the informant whom he sold to was not one of his registered patients.
The trial will proceed in May in Oakland County Circuit Court.
“I feel confident that some of those charges will be dropped and reduced,” Cissell said. “I am glad the judge agreed to the recommendation of probation, because I have a lot of campaigning to do. Even if I am in jail, I am still going to be on the ballot for State Representative, and I am still going to do all I can to work towards legalizing marijuana.”
For previous stories about Cissell, and the decriminalization movement in Oakland County, see:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/02/04/cissell-found-guilty-of-false-address-on-petition/
For previous stories, see:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/01/31/looking-at-the-elements-in-the-andrew-cissell-petition-trial-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/11/16/cissell-case-moves-forward-sheriff-says-not-political/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/10/16/cissell-charged-with-voter-fraud/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/10/28/collins-and-covey-debate-ferndale-marijuana-proposal/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/investigation-into-possible-voter-fraud-in-marijuana-petition/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/09/14/marijuana-ordinance-petitioner-arrested-on-drug-charges//
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/09/11/clinical-relief-case-continues-charges-reinstated-by-court-of-appeals/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/12/marijuana-ordinance-goes-to-nov-5-ballot
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/11/council-to-vote-on-marijuana-ordinance-monday-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/09/board-of-appeals-hears-clinical-relief-case/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/29/ferndale-voters-could-decide-on-pot-decriminalization/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/30/cissell-and-covey-turn-in-pro-pot-petition-for-ferndale-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/05/15/straight-talk-on-medical-marijuana-laws-proposed-changes/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/07/22/council-imposes-distance/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/01/12/clinical-relief-drug-charges-dismissed/
http://ferndale115.com/20100826clinic.html – Ferndale Clinic Still Open After Raid
http://www.ferndale115.com/20100629medicalm.html – Ferndale Places Moratorium on Medical Marijuana Based Businesses.