Police Harrassment

[purgoose10]

Knowing your rights does not make one a lawyer. In fact, if you don't know your rights, you don't have any rights.

I'm sorry, maybe I should have put "LOL" behind my comment. It was supposed to be a funny.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

I'm sorry, maybe I should have put "LOL" behind my comment. It was supposed to be a funny.

It's all good.

 

[cheri1122]

I would think that after ninety minutes of having his vehicle turned inside out and the officers found nothing, it might have been a wee bit premature to call the guy a "bad guy" anyway. Around my neck of the woods, you're supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, and the story as written here fails to establish that the guy who was pulled over did anything wrong-- except drive through Springfield while these officers were looking to stir up some trouble.

As it happens, I drove through Springfield--- two of them, as a matter of fact, one in Missouri and the other here in Illinois-- this week, outbound and back, and had no trouble. Whether the cops in question here were on duty when I came through town or not I wouldn't be knowing. I just got back home this morning and opened this up to see this discussion.

As it happens, I drove through Springfield, Il today too - even more carefully than normal, mostly because of a billboard I saw downstate. I didn't catch the sponsors, but it said "Going to Springfield? Don't forget, Illinois is still broke!"
I managed to squeak through without any trouble too. Whew!

 

[JimmyB]

Made a personal decision not to let this stuff get to me after some prayer and reflection. But what do you do to protect yourself in that situation? Has anyone ran into this before?

This is a tricky question to answer, because you must be aware of the laws in whatever state you are in, and can pose to be a very difficult task for OTR drivers.

Almost every cell phone to date has some sort of voice recorder in it. If you are not in a state that considers that "wire tapping" or other like crime, you should always turn that on.

I saw someone make the statement of it doesn't matter because the cops will just claim "probable cause" The officer must be able to state what the probable cause is. In order for an officer to enter your vehicle he must be able to see something in plane sight, smell something (such as marijuana) or have a dog that signals for drugs / explosives what have you. I know your thinking, Well a cop can say he smelled anything.... but if he does say that, Enters your vehicle against your wishes and finds nothing, he may be in a heap load of trouble if you decide to take it that far. The problem is that 99% of American Citizens do not KNOW their rights and WAIVE their rights without even realizing it.

For the following information, IANAL and this is to be taken for your own personal education and you have the choice to follow some of these directions or not.


It has been ruled in the supreme court that officers can LIE to you to get what they want. Inform yourself so you do not fall for those Lies. Carry a voice recorder for proof down the road if your civil liberties are violated (only where legally permitted to do so) and do not be afraid to challenge the officer.

You have civil rights and you have miranda rights. You have the RIGHT to remain silent - Do not give an officer any information other than legally required (Drivers ID, Proof of Insurance, Vehicle Registration and permits etc.) These are documents which do not require you to open your mouth! If you are ordered out of your vehicle, Lock your doors behind you. If he requests to search your vehicle, Refuse! You have the RIGHT to be protected against illegal search and seizure. NEVER argue with an officer or show disrespect. If he gives you an ORDER... follow it.. this is for your own safety.

Do NOT fall for compound sentences in which cause you to unknowingly wave your rights...
Example: Do you mind if I search your vehicle, you have nothing to hide right? If you just say NO..and he enters your vehicle... you just waived your rights. Your answer should be more along the lines of "I do not consent to a search" The END...

I urge everyone to watch the following series on youtube:
Don't Talk to Cops, Part 1 - YouTube

 

[JimmyB]

YES I AM OFFENDED! Ok so you have a dog in your truck. So do I however that obviously doesn't make me an expert in dog behavior!

And yes I did ask him if I was correct in if the canine alerted that it gave probable cause for a search and he said yes!

I have to agree with Yesteryear. Although I do not agree with the decision, canine sniffs have been ruled "Not an illegal search" and "do give probable cause when the dog alerts"

Personally I believe the above is gross violation of our constitutional rights! It has been found in studies that the Majority of dog alerts end up being wrong!

I also find Checkpoints within our borders to be a violation of our rights also. Whether it is that Border Patrol Checkpoint (Not on the border) or a random DUI checkpoint. I agree they can help, but I think there is a bigger picture here. We are so easy to give up our rights in the name of "Security" If were not careful will will Secure ourselves into Socialist Republic.

 

[MCGohio1985]

Probable cause what dose this mean ? If u have more then one or two air freshners that's probable cause as long as the officer had a reason to stop you in the 1st place I was stopped on I 10 between san Antonio and huston a few weeks ago for a plate light that was visable less then 50 feet that a judgement call on the officers

Sent from my PC36100 using EO Forums

 

[Tennesseahawk]

JimmyB... I posted that video a couple of years ago. It's about time it was posted again. Thanx!

 

[bobwg]

Seems to be alot of wanna be lawyers out here driving trucks and expediters I hate lawyers but I will take their advice before i take anything i hear or read in the trucking/expedite grape vine

 

[tenntrucker]

Here's a better use of their time.

Sent from my DROID X2

 

[AMonger]

If were not careful will will Secure ourselves into Socialist Republic.

That ship has sailed, long ago.
--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

 

[AMonger]

Keep in mind I had a 10 minute conversation about a 90 minute event, wrote this post at 3am in a Denny's 8-10 hours after my conversation with my friend. Wrote down as much as I could remember. Don't think I "enhanced" anything but I am sure there is much that my friend could add. Maybe he will do that some day...

Ooops, there's a problem, right there. Any time you consume anything in a Denny's, your mind is definitely not right for a good 6-8 hours. Denny's is a full step below Waffle House.

--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

 

[AMonger]

Apparently, the Maryland Attorney General weighed in on the topic of recording traffic stops; and he is on the side of the public.

Maryland Attorney General Upholds Right to Video Traffic Stops

Ah, yes, I do remember hearing that. Unfortunately, when the cops are wrong, an innocent man frequently spends weeks, months, or years behind bars until it's all sorted out. Then the cops and prosecutor sigh, "Oh, well..." while the innocent man has to put his life back together. It took people getting arrested and sitting in jail cells for Maryland to eventually reach this conclusion.

--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

 

[cheri1122]

I have to agree with Yesteryear. Although I do not agree with the decision, canine sniffs have been ruled "Not an illegal search" and "do give probable cause when the dog alerts"

Personally I believe the above is gross violation of our constitutional rights! It has been found in studies that the Majority of dog alerts end up being wrong!

I don't know if I believe a 'majority', but there was a flap a few years ago in Ohio over the drug dogs damaging vehicles owned by prison employees. If the dog was wrong, the Troopers [in charge of the narc K9s] had to pay to repair the damage - and they were paying for a LOT of it.

I also find Checkpoints within our borders to be a violation of our rights also. Whether it is that Border Patrol Checkpoint (Not on the border) or a random DUI checkpoint. I agree they can help, but I think there is a bigger picture here. We are so easy to give up our rights in the name of "Security" If were not careful will will Secure ourselves into Socialist Republic.