Not sure participating in Prohibition project is a good idea?
We're trying to collect stories, not evidence. With that in mind, remember that the 5th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States grants every American the right to refuse to be called as witness against his- or herself.
Take advantage of that before you get arrested, rather than after you're on the stand. Be smart, stay safe, and try to understand a few important facts before you get started telling stories on the Lost Coast Oral History Project.
This website is open to everyone, including officers of virtually any law enforcement agency. If your story involves any kind of criminal activity, that information could be could be used against you in an investigation.
Even though medical marijuana is legal under California state law, growing and possessing marijuana is still a federal offense. Some types of stories are more likely to attract the attention of federal law enforcement agencies than others. A short list of things you should probably keep to yourself might include:
For federal crimes, that's 5 years. California's statute of limitations for violations of the state penal code vary, typically ranging from 3-6 years. There is no statute of limitations on homicide.
If you're already under investigation, however, any statements you make here can be used against you by investigators.
Finally, and this is important, if you're the kind of person who already has a defense attorney on retainer you might want to call your counselor before participating in the Lost Coast Oral History Project.
(The guidelines above are based on a consultation with criminal defense attorney Ed Denson, of Garberville, California, November 2013.)
Take advantage of that before you get arrested, rather than after you're on the stand. Be smart, stay safe, and try to understand a few important facts before you get started telling stories on the Lost Coast Oral History Project.
This website is open to everyone, including officers of virtually any law enforcement agency. If your story involves any kind of criminal activity, that information could be could be used against you in an investigation.
Even though medical marijuana is legal under California state law, growing and possessing marijuana is still a federal offense. Some types of stories are more likely to attract the attention of federal law enforcement agencies than others. A short list of things you should probably keep to yourself might include:
- Extremely profitable operations -- You don't necessarily need to mention large stacks of cash.
- Interstate trafficking -- If the weed was headed out of state, you might want to leave that part out of your story unless all of your felonies have passed the statute of limitations.
- Growing on federal lands -- If you use this public forum to tell a story about growing marijuana in national forests or other federal lands, it might get the attention of federal law enforcement.
- Large scale operations -- We'd love to hear first hand accounts of what it's like to work on a mega-grow, but be advised that these operations are a top priority for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
- Anything involving minors -- Authorities have been aggressively targeting indoor marijuana grows where children are present, often charging the parents with child endangerment. Stories about exposing children to illegal drugs could also be relevant in custody proceedings, if that's a factor in your life.
For federal crimes, that's 5 years. California's statute of limitations for violations of the state penal code vary, typically ranging from 3-6 years. There is no statute of limitations on homicide.
If you're already under investigation, however, any statements you make here can be used against you by investigators.
Finally, and this is important, if you're the kind of person who already has a defense attorney on retainer you might want to call your counselor before participating in the Lost Coast Oral History Project.
(The guidelines above are based on a consultation with criminal defense attorney Ed Denson, of Garberville, California, November 2013.)
Ground Rules for participation
Ground rules: There are a few matters of taste that you should consider before posting a story.
1) This is not an appropriate forum in which to "out" someone who may or may not have something to hide. Tell your own story, rather than that of your neighbor, former partner or ex.
2) Slanderous and\or libelous statements may be deleted at the discretion of the site admin.3) It doesn't necessarily have to be about pot. There's a lot more to living here than the grow scene.
Privacy statement
This website will strive to maintain a high degree of transparency, but this working parts of this project are powered by Google Apps. Google has had numerous privacy issues over the years, and you should consider that before participating. Electronic records and digital forensic data is probably available to a variety of law enforcement agencies with or without the cooperation of FarWest.FM or The Lost Coast Oral History Project.
All the information retained about each entry on this website is publicly visible, and subject to subpoena. Your anonymity is not protected by journalistic privilege.
As such, participants are advised to take all reasonable precautions to safeguard their identity and other personal information. Consider calling from a "burner phone," pay-phone, or otherwise secure number rather than calling from a home phone or cell phone registered to you or one of your associates. Visitors to this website may also wish to consider browsing it anonymously.
Still interested? Check out our guide to getting a good quality recording. It's important, if you want people to listen.
