The search warrant itself, signed Tuesday by a Municipal Court judge, and related paperwork, including the police affidavit outlining probable cause for the search, are under seal, barred from public inspection. A judge sealed the file Tuesday at the request of the district attorney. All were charged with misdemeanors. It's not a question of national security, or anything that requires ongoing investigation since these demonstrations are at an end. Once arrested, many suspects spent long hours in prison.
Court rules give police up to two days to hold suspects before a bail hearing.
And Timoney said many of those held for long periods had only themselves to blame. By refusing to identify themselves, some protesters slowed down the whole process, he said. Philadelphia lawyer David Rudovsky, who specializes in civil-rights cases and is representing some of the protesters, said some of the arraignments definitely took too long. I think that's completely unfair. Ohlbaum said long waits between arrest and release are common.