[Cboldt]

It will be messy for the courts if more than one judge hears and opines on cases involving essentially the same fact pattern. Chances of the judges being in agreement on rationales is slim, unless they coordinated their answers. I suspect Peterson got a talking to, in general terms, about the risk to the judiciary when it is perceived as inconsistent on the law.

Biker withdrawal from the case that had been scheduled for today could be the result of consultation between Broden and other lawyers, allowing Broden to take the lead and see what the state's position is going to be. The bikers who have valid civil rights claims will face a tougher battle on the civil rights claim, if their case history includes a judicial finding of probable cause.

And just to repeat my general point of view, the real reason for a judicial decision is not always "the law," and is often outcome-based. In this case, it behooves the state to find probable cause, and the judges are tools of the state, not tools of or for the accused.

[don-o]

The bikers who have valid civil rights claims will face a tougher battle on the civil rights claim, if their case history includes a judicial finding of probable cause.

But, there is still the excessive bail piece.

And just to repeat my general point of view, the real reason for a judicial decision is not always "the law," and is often outcome-based. In this case, it behooves the state to find probable cause, and the judges are tools of the state, not tools of or for the accused.

And it is good to be reminded of that. It tempers any optimism that I might start to entertain and gets me back to BOHICA.