James Traficant: “if Joe Q. Citizen lied in a civil trial, he would be sued for every…”

On the recordSeptember 15, 1998

if Joe Q. Citizen lied in a civil trial, he would be sued for every penny. If Joe Q. Citizen lied to a Grand Jury, he would go to jail. Lying is perjury. Perjury is a crime. Now, having said that, what is going on here, Mr. Speaker? Does America now have two legal standards, one for you, one for me; one for he, one for she; one for generals, one for soldiers; one for Presidents, one for residents? Let us tell it like it is. Joe Q. Citizen cannot apologize, Joe Q. Citizen is not censured, Joe Q. Citizen is prosecuted. And let me warn Congress: An America with two legal standards is an America with no legal standards. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of the lives of all of the soldiers that gave their lives fighting to preserve our freedom.

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James Traficant

Ohio

Source

govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Addressing perceived inequalities in the legal system during a speech in Congress.

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James Traficant: “if Joe Q. Citizen lied in a civil trial, he would be sued for every penny. If Joe Q. Citizen lied to a Grand Jury, he…”

Editor's note · Context