Is this a legal protest?

[jdog]

This is something I want to do, but my husband thinks they will arrest me if they catch me. I don't really want to go to jail, but I don't think it's that big of a deal. I told him I'd put this on DU and see if anyone has an opinion.

Here's a sticker I want to put on ATM's and drive-thru's - anywhere someone would expect a receipt:



In honor of the presidential election, and the
voting machines used therein,

THERE MAY BE NO RECEIPT GIVEN for your transaction.

We sincerely hope you will not have any questions
about your balance (even if errors are consistently
to our benefit).

Now please, move on!



Please tell me (my husband) my little personal protest won't land me in the clinker? What do you think?

jdog
edited for typos

[kslib]

1. Good Stuff!

but I think that you MIGHT get in trouble for defacing property.

[Cowboy Joe2k]

32. Here is the one most important thing you can do to save the human race.

Demand your right as a comunity to vote yes or no on the issue of WAR!

we can fix all the rest of this crap later. just Stop us from killing ourselves please!!

[Branjor]

2. I have no idea

if it will land you in the clinker. But, great idea. That might get through to a few numbskulls where nothing else has!

[bemis12]

3. Well...

... it wouldn't be enough to get you thrown into the clinker.

But it's wrong to harm other people's property, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to to so. It's funny for sure. But wrong.

[smartvoter]

6. Why? They'd peel right off...

[bemis12]

13. Same reason

that putting a Bush bumper sticker on your vehicle would be wrong.

After all, it peels right off, right?

[Eloriel]

4. I can't imagine we're talking jail time here --

and IMO (not a legal one) it doesn't even rise to the level of graffiti since they're removable (unless you put them on paper somewhere) -- and WILL be removed, promptly.

I say go for it. I personally like it a lot. :D

Edited to add: If I were you I'd get some language in there specifically linking your message to voting machines -- "Just as with voting, you may not get a receipt..." or similar. Some folks may not understand otherwise.

[roseBudd]

27. ATMs have cameras

I did a lot of flyer glueing before Nov. 2, but I only did it in neighborhoods where poor man's advertsing (flyers on utility poles) is the norm. Definitely illegal but not prosecuted in inner city neighborhoods.

[smartvoter]

5. No idea, but it's a fantastic idea.

Maybe we could get people all over to do this on an organized weekend...???

[SaintAnne]

7. don't get caught

that's what I say. they'll probably think it is some snot nosed kid, anyway. people place stickers all over the place, any of them get arrested, probably not.

[Truman01]

8. It is very unlikely........

It is technically vandalism though I can't see anyone having you arrested and thrown into jail over it. Further, just catching you would be difficult. No police department is going to assign a detective to come find you.

Go for it.

TC


Personal opinion
***Not to be construed as legal advice from an attorney****

[K to the YLE]

18. It's not gonna take a detective to figure out who did it...

...ATMs have cameras, Gas pumps that issue receipts are very often video taped to prevent drive offs, any machine that issues a receipt is likely to have some sort of monitoring, whether human or mechanical. I love the idea, but be prepared to deal with the cops if someone wants to make a fuss about it. Will you go to jail, doubtful, but I am not a lawyer either. If you do end up in the big house you could potentially get a lot of press though. It's a clever idea though. I'd look into it more though before you do it...I dunno if there is some sorta odd federal law protecting ATMs...and federal shit is a whole different ballgame than the local fuzz...

[Truman01]

21. Unless you live in a town of 20 people.......

I doubt a picture from an ATM camera is going to get you caught. No one is going to be distributing this to local tv stations to see who knows you. Like I said, it is minor civil disobedience. If you want to do it, go for it.

[jdog]

29. Gas pumps would be just as good! Thanks n/t

[bones_7672]

9. most people won't get it, and ...

... if you get caught by the bank they may not treat you nicely.

[genieroze]

10. Wear a disguise and don't get caught, be real sneeky

I don't know if you wouid get arrested, especially if you use the stickers that are easy to remove. You could get a nasty ticket though.
Look over your spelling before you print them. lol

[nmoliver]

11. sounds ok

It sounds legal to me. Great idea.

[kitp]

12. don't do this

yes, this would be illegal. ATM's are privately owned, you are basically saying that they are fraudulent, and that is not good.

I like the idea, but you will not be questioning the outcome of the election but the legality of the machine handling people's money and they will come looking for you and arrest you.

Sorry. It's a great idea.

[cabbage08]

14. Might be in the gray area

Make sure you don't get caught

[intheflow]

15. Wear your ski mask if doing this.

The cameras are everywhere, especially at ATMs.

[Truman01]

22. DO NOT WEAR A MASK...............

Wearing a Mask around a bank IS a felony in many states. This is a prank. Don't be too annoying with it, like putting the sticker back numerous times when it has been removed, and no one is going to do anything.

TC

[intheflow]

24. Good post!

Good response. I stand humbly corrected. Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Truman01]

28. Thanks................

As a lawyer, legal advice posts scare the hell out of me!!!!

I know everyone means well, but it just has so many pitfalls....

TC

[bear425]

16. There are cameras that tape all users of ATM's n/t

[yourout]

17. Cameras in or around almost all ATMS so...

be carefull.

[RubyCat]

19. They will catch you on a surveillance camera.

On the drive-through ATM machine that I use, there's a little camera in the front of the machine, between and above the screen and keypad. I don't know if it's meant to be hidden, but it's not obvious at a casual glance.

[AllegroRondo]

20. Nice idea, but no

Ive heard that posting things on an ATM is actually a federal offense.

[Doremus]

23. I like your idea...

...but think that the wording (if not the sticker itself) may get you in hot water. The "there may be no receipt given" may lead someone in a hurry to think the bank (or whatever) wasn't giving receipts anymore and prompt complaints to management.

Better wording would solve that. Something along the lines of:

You get a receipt when you use this machine...
but not when you vote. WHY?

or

Isn't your vote as valuable as your money?
Then why don't you get a receipt for voting?

or

No receipt?
No vote!

Short, simple, easy to read and remember.

I like your idea; it's like leafleting. It increases awareness of the problem and, so long as the sticker is removable, it's harmless. Thanks for the suggestion!

[witchhazl]

25. Are we all aware that Diebold MAKES the damn ATMs

that can give all those receipts and keep all those bank balances so perfectly? -- but somehow can't manage to do that with their voting machinges?
http://www.diebold.com/solutions/atms/default.htm

Also: http://www.diebold.com/nasadmk/inside/identify.htm

[RaleighNCDUer]

26. Don't forget -- ATMs are equipped with cameras. n/t

ON EDIT

Of course, you could wear a * halloween mask as you do it.

Hehehe

[skippythwndrdog]

30. Vandalism...don't do it.

Don't deface other's property to make a point. It is criminal and wrong.

[proudtobeadem]

31. I have my own question; Is it legal to write on dollar bills?

That' a lot of free advertising.

[njnop]

33. ATM posting

If you use gummed postit notes that peeloff easily I doubt that it would get you in hot water. We post them everywhere with " HE'S Not OUR President" or MANDATE?? HELL NO!!