Pubdate: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 Source: Racine Journal Times, The (WI) Copyright: 2002, The Racine Journal Times Contact: http://www.journaltimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1659 Authors: Dustin Block and Marci Laehr Tenuta Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raves.htm (Raves) FINES FOR RAVE TO BE REDUCED TO $100 RACINE -- People cited for participating in an alleged rave earlier this month will have their $968 tickets cut to $100 if they plead guilty or no contest in municipal court, city officials said Friday. The adjusted fines were meant as both a deal to the 445 people fined on Nov. 2 for participating in the dance party, and an admission by the city that it couldn't prosecute all of the cases, said Racine City Attorney Daniel Wright. "We simply don't have the capacity to try 445 cases," Wright said. "All in all, we believe this is a reasonable agreement." Lower fines will be given to people who appear in court. Party-goers who do not attend their hearings, which are scheduled to begin on Dec. 2, will have their fines reduced to between $250 and $300, Wright said. People can also choose to contest their tickets. If convicted, they could be subject to the full fine plus court costs. Anyone who has already paid their $968 fine is eligible for a refund, Wright said. Sgt. William Macemon of the Racine Police Department said the department agreed with the reduced fines. "We all discussed the plea bargaining," he said. "This is a collaboration between the (police) department and the city attorney's office." Also Friday, the legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union said the organization has received about 200 complaints from people who were ticketed during a police raid of the party. However, Legal Director Micabil Diaz would not comment on whether the ACLU would assist the party-goers with their case. "When any decision is made we first notify the parties involved, then we send out a press release," he said. Neither has happened yet. Racine police broke up the alleged rave based on a tip from a U.S. Customs Service agent. Undercover officers went to the party and bought Ecstasy and ketamine from one of the party-goers, and saw others using drugs. Police shut down the gathering, wouldn't allow anyone in or out, and ticketed everyone. Three people were also arrested on drug charges. Most of those attending were between 17 and 25 years old. Many had traveled from Milwaukee and Chicago for the party, which had been advertised on the Internet and on widely distributed flyers. Organizers of the party, speaking through their Web site at www.hauntedhouseparty.com, are attempting to mount a legal defense for those cited in the bust. They assert the event was a fund-raiser for a non-profit organization trying to refurbish the theater, not a drug party. Appearances in Racine Municipal Court for those who were cited will be on Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Party organizers, who say police violated their civil rights, are encouraging those who were ticketed to file a complaint with the ACLU. The form is available on their Web site. Organizers are also seeking information from anyone who attended the party, including photos, videos or stories of the night. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh