Hamilton Oneshots (2)

ACLU (Heggy)

Peggy had contacted everybody she could, everybody she could think of to free her husband. She knew he hadn't done anything wrong, he'd been with her when the break-in he was charged with happened but her alibi didn't count as she was his wife. She pulled at her hair and grabbed her computer, looking up people who might specialize in this.

Google led her to ACLU and she called them, fixing her ponytail as she felt hopeful again. It took a few minutes before the call got picked up but she was okay with that if they could really help her and Hercules. When it did get picked up a woman with a kind voice asked, "Hello? You've called ACLU's hotline how may I help you?"

Peggy bit her lip and tried to speak, "Well I-uh-well my husband was arrested unfairly. Well, maybe it was fair. I don't know but-but he didn't do the crime they're telling us he did. We were at Waffle House but they won't even look into it and-and they won't take my word at all." She refused to start crying as she explained even though her eyes burned, "Is there any way to help him?" She asked.

"Well that depends ma'am," The woman spoke up and Peggy listened intently, "Where was he apprehended? And what is your name and the name of your husband?" She asked calmly.

"O-Oh I'm Margarita Mulligan and his name is Hercules Mulligan and the police officers just came into our house when we were watching TV and said he was under arrest for breaking and entering earlier that day." She explained quietly.

"Did you hear any of the officers assisting in the arrest say the following; '"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning'?" The woman asked.

Peggy thought back and realized that those words were never spoken. She bit her lip before answering, "No they didn't say that at all." She answered honestly.

"That's good, for Mr Mulligan, now did they serve you?" She asked and when Peggy didn't answer she explained further, "Did they give you a document that was officiated by a court official saying they could enter your home. A warrant. Did they give you that?" She asked.

"No..." Peggy slowly began to realize just how little she really knew about the American legal and justice system, "They just kicked the door down and said he was under arrest and he told me not to worry but I can't stop."

"Mrs Mulligan you and your husband have been assaulted by the police force and might be in for financial compensation for your mental strain," The woman said and Peggy had to sit down to keep herself from bursting into hysterics, "You live in New York City, correct? And your husband is being detained at the New York City Police Department?"

Peggy got up, "Y-Yes. He is." She headed to the kitchen and got a glass of water, drinking it slowly as she listened.

"We at ACLU take these cases seriously. Can we contact your lawyer and your husband to loop them in on these illegal actions?" Peggy told her she could of course and exchanged the phone number information she needed to call the current lawyer on their case, "One more question, Miss. What is the ethnicity of you and your husband?"

Peggy knew why she phrased the question like that, she wanted to know if either of them were black. She had never had to deal with police racially filing her or Hercules before but I guess there's a first time for everything, "Um well I'm mixed, my father's black and my mother's white, and my husband's black." She answered.

"I see, that's all. Do you mind if I take this number down for contact information?" The woman asked and Peggy said she didn't. Soon the call ended and she sat in silence, sliding into a chair again. Did this mean she'd get Herc back sooner? She wanted him back as soon as possible.

The next day Peggy found herself in a courtroom with Herc next to her, her hand in his as he testified against the police officers who apprehended Hercules on circumstantial evidence. Even some Waffle House employees were here! Peggy leaned into Herc and tried to smile, squeezing his hand gently.

"It's alright, love," He mumbled as the last person spoke for them. She smiled softly and looked up at him, "You're amazing, you know?" He mumbled quietly and she blushed, "I didn't know you were calling people to try and get me released."

"Well, you didn't do it. There's security tape evidence showing that you were eating waffles when the so-called break-in happened. Instead of breaking the law to arrest a man who obviously didn't do it they should step back and try and find the real culprit. They're wasting our time and their resources," Peggy replied and kissed his cheek.

After a short deliberation of the jury, they marched back in and sat down, "We the jury find Hercules Mulligan innocent of all crimes by a vote of 1-8." One man said and Peggy squealed jumping on Herc with a hug as they continued, "And we find Officers Regara and Lace guilty of assault, unlawful arrest, and unconstitutional conduct."

"Assault?" Peggy repeated and looked at Hercules who shrugged and lifted his shirt to show a rather large bruise. Peggy gasped, "Wh-What the hell?! Why'd they do that?!" She asked and glared at the two men being marched off in cuffs.

"I wouldn't confess," Hercules answered and shrugged. He got up and held Peggy's hands, "Come on. We don't have to worry about that right now, in fact, we don't have to worry at all. Come on, let's go celebrate with Waffle House!" He smirked and Peggy managed to smile however shakily it was.

"You're lucky I love you," She giggled and took his hand, "Come on. Let's get going." She's just glad she had him back and swung their hands as she headed to the restaurant which had saved their asses in their unfair treatment by the police.