Aside from his landmark supreme court case, very few biographical details are known about Lawson, a man described by the Los Angeles Times as "mysterious, even secretive".
Between 1975 and 1977, while living in San Diego, Lawson was arrested fifteen times for violating a California law which made illegal "wander[ing] upon the streets" and failing to provide identity when prompted by a peace officer.
This case is of historical importance not only because the California statute was voided, but also because it is one of the few examples of an ordinary citizen successfully representing himself all the way through a U.S. District Court.
By the time the case arrived at the Supreme Court, he was represented by attorney Robert H. Lynn, through the American Civil Liberties Union.
[2] Lawson received political support at the time from prominent Black leaders including Jesse Jackson, activist/comedian Dick Gregory, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters D-Los Angeles, U.S.