> it's been reported that the NYPD consistently instructs people in stop-and-frisk situations to remove any drugs from their pocket and present it for inspection prior to frisking, making it publicly displayed.
That's really interesting. Are you saying that if an officer finds marijuana, instructs you to remove it, and you refuse, you can't be arrested because you didn't display it publicly?
From my understanding, it is against the law to disobey a lawful order. I have been told that the way out is to ask explicitly 'Is that an order?', as you can not be charged due to following a lawful order. Maybe someone can confirm this, as at best, I have hearsay.
Either way, 'you can beat the rap but not the ride'.
Judges don't always stand for stuff like this, though I assume most of the people caught in this manner are leaned on until they plea bargain.
A while ago a family was flying out to visit their home in Africa and carrying a large amount of cash. When asked how much they had they said something like "About $4,000" and the agent they were talking to said that the estimate was fine and instructed them to write that down. When they got further in, though, another agent insisted that the money be counted and when it came out a bit higher than was written down used this as an excuse to seize the money. After a lengthy court battle, though, the family got the money back.
You probably know this already, but The Agitator has been doing a bunch of posts about seizing money recently. The vast majority are taken from minorities, and sometimes the cops threaten to take any children you are travelling with away from you if the money isn't forfeited on the spot. I'm probably getting some details wrong so check on him for details.
Exactly. On top of that, police are not required to tell you the truth, so they can claim they will only ticket you and so forth in an attempt to you get the drugs out in the open.
I'd accept getting the shit beaten out of me (really!) for the resulting multimillion dollar payout. A few minutes of pain in exchange for being financially secure the rest of my life? Sign me up.
I had that same opportunity and I passed on it. It's dirty money. I prefer to earn the money I have. It gives me satisfaction when I use it.
With the government, you know that money came from some hardworking individual who paid his taxes ... and the only reason you have it is because some corrupt piece of garbage was drawing a salary on that money and you ended up being his victim.
Not how I want to live my life and certainly not something I want to be reminded of every time I take out my wallet.
So why not take the money, then use it to stop police brutality? The mere loss of the money will teach the government a lesson, plus you can use it for the cause you care about.
My point was: if you're carrying illegal drugs and are selected for a random search, don't consent. If you're not carrying illegal drugs, it's really up to you.
The police are accountable to elected representatives. Therefore the taxpayers are responsible for their police dept., and owe money to the victims when their police go astray. I chose my town in part because of its professional police dept., which in turn implies smart voters.
The thing about those beatings is that while they are occurring you don't know whether it's going to stop at a point that still allows you to enjoy that financial security.
That's really interesting. Are you saying that if an officer finds marijuana, instructs you to remove it, and you refuse, you can't be arrested because you didn't display it publicly?