Liberal Activist Arrested For Fighting With Police Makes First Court Appearance – Activist Attorney Fails Attempt To Dismiss Charges

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Joel Trudell (43) of Kenosha and ACLU President Attorney William Sulton
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Joel Trudell (43) of Kenosha, appeared today in Kenosha County Circuit Court. He has been charged with two misdemeanors, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. According to the criminal complaint, Trudell was disruptive during a County Board meeting on June 21, 2022. Deputies noted in their report that Trudell was heckling speakers that he didn’t agree with during the citizen’s comments portion of the meeting. The anti-police activist also blew kisses to the deputies at one point to taunt them. He had been given several warnings from County Board Chairman Gabe Nudo. Finally, Nudo ended Trudell’s speech after Trudell failed to follow the rules and started yelling. Trudell refused to leave the podium, even after being asked by police. He eventually started to yell profanities and physically resist the two deputies. They arrested him and took him to jail.

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Trudell Resisting Arrest on 6/21/2022
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Trudell was charged by the Walworth County DA’s office after Kenosha DA Michael Graveley (D) recused himself to reduce any political damage. He told KCE he would be taking the case, but after a coordinated email campaign from the Democratic Party of Kenosha, he kicked the case out of Kenosha.

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Joel Trudell (43) of Kenosha and ALCU President Attorney William Sulton
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Trudell hired William Sulton, a far-left activist who is the current president of the Wisconsin ACLU. His Bio reads in part:

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“[Sulton] is passionate about the ACLU’s leading issues, including enforcing voting rights, reforming policing and criminal justice, and stamping out discrimination in the workplace and in schools….In addition to his legal career, Mr. Sulton serves as a Life Member of……the NAACP. He is a Past President of the Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers and the Center for Self Sufficiency.”

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In court today, Sulton unsuccessfully made a motion to dismiss all charges against Trudell saying, “I’m asking the court to dismiss the complaint for a lack of probable cause. Um… The complaint quite frankly describes clearly established first amendment activity…..Um and this complaint does not establish probable cause for either of the charges.

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Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Loren Keating
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Sulton then said that Trudell was speaking at a public forum at a public space so disorderly conduct isn’t applicable. Keating is a veteran jurist and retired police officer. Keating seemed to take issue with the statement asking Sulton “Alright, well let me ask you this. Speaking at a public forum, you believe it’s unbridled discourse that can occur from someone speaking at a public forum?” Sulton responded “I would say no your honor, but that’s not what’s described in the criminal complaint.” Keating then read from the complaint that clearly stated probable cause. He then denied Trudell and his lawyer’s motion to dismiss. Trudell then entered “not guilty” pleas.

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Trudell is due back in court on December 14, 2022 at 10:30am.

Trudell’s Mugshot
Kenosha County Video of Arrest
Bystander Video of Arrest
Body Cam Footage of Arrest


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    1. Joel is disturbing at all levels. Ever see his page? Or his comments on KPD page? Hard to believe he’s married with how embarrassing and nuts he is

  1. Ladies and gentlemen the face of the Kenosha county Democratic Party !!

    Liberals reacting in violence and verbal beat down to anyone who does not agree with the liberal agenda. In this case the county board . The evidences speaks for itself!

  2. His Facebook name is Joel Paul. He obviously thinks getting arrested is his life’s high point because he’s using it as his profile pic. It’s funny because his whole page is just him posting stuff like he’s talking to crowd but there’s never more than 4 likes. Well… more sad then funny.
    Protip:have some followers if you’re going to try and lead.
    He’s a total tool.

    1. Well, he thinks it’s the highlight yet he puts his middle name (which is the number 1 sign that whoever has that Facebook page has a record).

  3. Dude is literally a clown. Starts his posts with pro tip. Lol then no one responds so he responds to his own posts. Talk about someone trying to be relevant. The funny part is the riots made all these “activist” come to light. And slowly they are all becoming nothing and has beens. Joel ur one of them, keep living the fake life ya troll

  4. Joel Trudell needs to get off Facebook. What a embarrassing clown he is. The Kenosha police department comment section is riddled with his im a loser and hate police comments. Talk about a guy un hinged. Someone needs to get him help for mental illness and being a unfit member of society

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