Arizona sovereign citizen destroys innocent motorist's car, blames police for it

[grossproffit]

2. Sovereign citizens background for those interested:

Many self-proclaimed sovereigns believe that county sheriffs are the only legitimate law-enforcement authority — a belief that seems to stem from long-running claims made by other anti-government groups that see federal law enforcement as a violation of the Bill of Rights. Others claim that supposed historical international treaties grant them authority to govern themselves. Newer organized groups have the stated purpose of preparing to replace the current — and supposedly illegitimate — Congress and other agencies.

Other beliefs are even more unusual: Some sovereigns claim their names printed on government documents do not represent them but a "straw man," an imaginary person created in their stead.

According to experts, there are generally three types of people drawn to sovereign ideology: those who are experiencing financial hardship, people who are angry at or hate the government, and old-fashioned con artists.

While many self-proclaimed sovereigns go no further than espousing their beliefs, experts say, some file streams of paperwork with officials, such as county recorders, "declaring" their sovereign status.

<snipped>

Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit organization that tracks hate groups, said one of the reasons the sovereign movement is growing is that it essentially promises people something for nothing.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/life/az-narratives/2014/04/12/sovereign-citizens-challenge-authority-law/7633147/