Wow Shelly, that's really messed up! Good for you retaining the number, and thanks for the warning! I agree about leaving the ad up. The citation was for solicitation for prostitution? I hope you decline to pay it and opt for a trial, as it sounds like they have no evidence and a charge would not stick. It is very ironic that they are still doing this, since Craigslist has just bent over backward to cooperate with the authorities by starting to charge people for ads. I wonder if it is indeed a stepped-up "payback" campaign against us for having the temerity to try to decriminalize sex work. Was there a fine or other penalty specified on the ticket? If you opt for a trial they will in all likelihood try to "traffick" you to community court. My advice is simply refuse that option, and most likely nothing further will happen and you won't have to pay a dime.
I just did precisely that in a non-prostitution case where I was charged with a misdemeanor that arose from trying to visit a friend in the hospital after hours -- long story. Charges were dropped, but then I got a letter in the mail from the D.A.'s office saying I was being referred to community court. But all I had to do was call them and tell them I wasn't interested, and the ball is back in their court if they want to file charges, which they have a year to do. I don't think they will, because the charges were total B.S. to begin with, and I just got the UCSF police report which is full of falsehoods and inconsistencies I don't think the officers would want to perjure themselves over in court.
Anyway, you might also want to call the community court rep, Paula Bulllock, at (415) 865-2522 and request an application packet to serve on community court yourself. I just got my packet, and it has some useful info in it if you ever are sent there, whether or not you decide to serve. But I think lots of us should try to serve, and see that justice is done in some of these cases that get sent there. If nothing else, it's 26 pages of photocopies plus mailing costs out of their budget -- one small bit less money with which to fund the criminalization of poverty. I encourage everyone to phone in their requests!
If anybody else is targeted, do try to get officer names and badge numbers if possible -- photos or video would of course be awesome too, if you have an opportunity to take them (standing outside your building, or whatever).
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))