The Legal Light Justin Stack Sovereign citizen gobbledygook never wins They tell the cop who pulled them over that they're not the driver, they're a traveller in a vehicle. They tell the judge they're not the "legal person" who was charged, but they're really a "living person" who is immune from laws. They argue they don't have to pay their tax bill or fine, because governments and legal systems are illegitimate, due to the Magna Carta. Welcome to the bizarre world of the sovereign citizen, a disparate group of people who have adopted mantras of "pseudolaw", which is being spread by self-proclaimed gurus who are cashing in from those who pay to hear and follow their anti- government tirades. They could be regarded as harmless eccentrics who annoy police and court officials with their incessant gobbledygook arguments, challenging the authority of law, police and governments. But Geoff Baldwin, senior business lawyer at Stacks Law Firm, warns there are growing numbers of sovereign citizens who are clogging up courts, representing themselves and parroting spurious pseudolaw arguments. "Studies have concluded they are now beyond a nuisance and, some warn, are escalating into a national security challenge for many countries around the world, including Australia," Mr Baldwin said. "But the most important thing and I'll put this in capital letters, as they often do in their pseudolaw papers - SOVEREIGN CITIZEN ARGUMENTS DON'T WIN IN COURT AND MIGHT LAND YOU IN JAIL. "The reality is that if you are in legal strife, you need a real lawyer." The Lowy Institute investigated the movement and found sovereign citizens view police and courts as agents of illegitimate governments. Defiance of police and courts is regarded as legitimate resistance to what they call "the tyranny of state control". Some are associated with far-right extremists, fringe Christian groups, anti-vaxxers and men's rights groups. Some are ardent believers in conspiracy theories. Some resort to guns. Dezi Freeman was a sovereign citizen who allegedly murdered two police officers. The Lowy report found one in four NSW judges has received death threats. Threats against the judiciary in Victoria increased fourfold between 2023 and 2025. The report urged the government to list sovereign citizen groups as designated terrorist entities and create a global database to monitor their leaders and influencers. University of NSW law professor Harry Hobbs trawled through legal cases and found that no pseudolegal argument had ever won in Australia, the United States, Canada, New Zealand or the UK. "Pseudolaw does not work. It makes things worse for those who try it," Hobbs said. A follower who challenged a $90 parking fine ended up with a conviction, a court fine and costs totalling $5085. STACKS LAW FIRM Taylor Kennedy Lawyer 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life The Legal Light Justin Stack Sovereign citizen gobbledygook never wins They tell the cop who pulled them over that they're not the driver , they're a traveller in a vehicle . They tell the judge they're not the " legal person " who was charged , but they're really a " living person " who is immune from laws . They argue they don't have to pay their tax bill or fine , because governments and legal systems are illegitimate , due to the Magna Carta . Welcome to the bizarre world of the sovereign citizen , a disparate group of people who have adopted mantras of " pseudolaw " , which is being spread by self - proclaimed gurus who are cashing in from those who pay to hear and follow their anti- government tirades . They could be regarded as harmless eccentrics who annoy police and court officials with their incessant gobbledygook arguments , challenging the authority of law , police and governments . But Geoff Baldwin , senior business lawyer at Stacks Law Firm , warns there are growing numbers of sovereign citizens who are clogging up courts , representing themselves and parroting spurious pseudolaw arguments . " Studies have concluded they are now beyond a nuisance and , some warn , are escalating into a national security challenge for many countries around the world , including Australia , " Mr Baldwin said . " But the most important thing and I'll put this in capital letters , as they often do in their pseudolaw papers - SOVEREIGN CITIZEN ARGUMENTS DON'T WIN IN COURT AND MIGHT LAND YOU IN JAIL . " The reality is that if you are in legal strife , you need a real lawyer . " The Lowy Institute investigated the movement and found sovereign citizens view police and courts as agents of illegitimate governments . Defiance of police and courts is regarded as legitimate resistance to what they call " the tyranny of state control " . Some are associated with far - right extremists , fringe Christian groups , anti - vaxxers and men's rights groups . Some are ardent believers in conspiracy theories . Some resort to guns . Dezi Freeman was a sovereign citizen who allegedly murdered two police officers . The Lowy report found one in four NSW judges has received death threats . Threats against the judiciary in Victoria increased fourfold between 2023 and 2025. The report urged the government to list sovereign citizen groups as designated terrorist entities and create a global database to monitor their leaders and influencers . University of NSW law professor Harry Hobbs trawled through legal cases and found that no pseudolegal argument had ever won in Australia , the United States , Canada , New Zealand or the UK . " Pseudolaw does not work . It makes things worse for those who try it , " Hobbs said . A follower who challenged a $ 90 parking fine ended up with a conviction , a court fine and costs totalling $ 5085 . STACKS LAW FIRM Taylor Kennedy Lawyer 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life