Self-Appointed Courts, Officials Targets Of Bill

New laws are in the works to punish people who impersonate a public official.

On Wednesday, the attorney general’s office won the support of the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee for legislation making it a crime to impersonate a public authority. The measure is aimed at so-called common law courts and other groups that attempt to arrest people or take action against people or property.

Last year, self-appointed enforcers tried unsuccessfully to arrest certain public officials, including Gov. Phil Batt.

The bill, SB1020, now goes to the full Senate for a vote. If it passes there, it will be considered in the House.

, DataTimes