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Search and Seizure at the Supreme Court

Pemdas writes "On March 22nd, the U.S. Supreme Court is slated to hear a case involving an arrest for lack of producing ID on the demand of a police officer. Dudley Hiibel was parked off the road, and was asked 11 times to show ID to the police officer, who gave the justification of 'investigating an investigation.' Finally, he was arrested, and eventually convicted of delaying a police officer,' and fined $250. The incident occurred in Humboldt County, Nevada; Mr. Hiibel's side of the story includes a good section on Terry stops, and has a video of the incident for download. The parallels to the previously covered Gilmore v. Ashcroft case are striking, and the ruling will be an interesting precedent on the issue of requiring ID's. The ACLU, EPIC, and EFF, among others, have filed Amicus briefs in the case."

1,636 comments

  1. Wear the yellow star by ObviousGuy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Slowly, slowly, we slide down this long road. Don't close your eyes, you'll miss the whole thing.

    --
    I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
    1. Re:Wear the yellow star by AyeFly · · Score: 5, Informative

      How the heck did the yellow star post get marked as offtopic? do you have no knowledge of 20th century history? nazis made Jews wear yellow stars to publicly identify them... and you also had to show ID whenever an SS or Stormtrooper or police officer or judge or MP or any anonymous person asked for it. The above post is saying that the US can become like the nazi state if we allow this kind of raw authority into our civilization. At least, thats my take on it... and if you dont think so all i can say is, "Sieg Heil"

      --
      Sig- http://www.dreamhost.com/rewards.cgi?ayefly
    2. Re:Wear the yellow star by fenix+down · · Score: 0, Redundant

      nazis made Jews wear yellow stars to publicly identify them... and you also had to show ID

      I weep for our species.

    3. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I weep for our species.

      I weep for those who continue to browse at threshold 1 after Taco made it the default. But I guess anonymity is something to be feared and trampled on.

    4. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What is a trolling group?

      And please let me know which group I'm affiliated with.

      OG

    5. Re:Wear the yellow star by torpor · · Score: 5, Funny

      no no, its not sig heil, its ... "whatever ..."

      --
      ; -- the corruption of government starts with its secrets. a truly free people keep no secrets. --
    6. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      If you're muslim and in the US, you already wear the yellow crescent.

    7. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      make up a disposable nickname? with a disposable email address? this is the fucking internet, identity is still disposable here.

      PS: I'm at school and don't feel like sending my password cleartext through the networking lab. I'm usually logged in.

    8. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      You know, the Nazis had pieces of Flair that they made the Jews wear.

    9. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful
      The fact that you had to point out the mis-moderation tells you how bad it already is. The dumbing-down of the youth has been going on now over 25 years. The new youth is being brought up by relatively un-educated older-youth. With the fucked-up ruling in California involving Diebold, it's, well, time ...

      for people to pay the fuck attention!

      V

    10. Re:Wear the yellow star by oliner · · Score: 1

      Funny? If I had some mod points, parent would be Insightful.

      --
      - oliner
    11. Re:Wear the yellow star by abolith · · Score: 2, Insightful
      if you read the transcription it says that there was a report of a fight.


      Well, I've got a report that there's been a fightin' going on between you two tonight.


      he had a report of a fight at that location so the officer had every right to ask for ID. If it was just some cop randomly stopping and asking for ID then it would be a different story, but it's not. This guy did it to himself, it is not a case of some cop abusign his power. when you are stopped by a cop you DO NOT have to show ID even if asked UNLESS the cop has probable cause to demand it (i.e. an investigation). in this case the cop did and Hiibel refused thus impeading a lawful invetgiation.

      --
      if you want "No More Hiroshimas" then I say "You First. No More Pearl Harbors."
    12. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      "what is a trolling group"
      A clique comprised of socially inept college-age twats who sit around irc or trolling websites such as kuro5hin.org egging each other on and sharing slashdot torlling techniques and ideas
      "And please let me know which group I'm affiliated with"
      Since you don't use cut and paste trolls that rules out the GNAA or CLIT; since your posts are not inanely pretentious that would rule out the adequacy crowd. your lack of homosexual content rules out the trollaxor crowd, so that pretty much leaves you belonging smack-dab in with the anti-slash crowd.

      Of course, since this isn't SOVIET RUSSIA, why don't YOU tell us which group you belong to?

    13. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Interesting analysis.

      Incorrect, but interesting nonetheless.

      OG

    14. Re:Wear the yellow star by mdwh2 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I set the preferences so that Anonymous Cowards appear at 1 like everyone else, and then view at threshold 1.. makes Slashdot a lot more readable imo.

    15. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is this what passes for intelligent discussion in this forum?

      Dove had probable cause to arrest for assault from the telephone report of domestic violence. The Supreme Court is going to laugh this one out of the room.

      Where's Godwin's Law when I need it?

    16. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Just one note if you are part of the 0.0001% of Americans who occasionally travel abroad: Most other countries have laws requiring you to show ID to law officers. And in most places (Europe, for example) they can hold you for a few days until you produce some.

    17. Re:Wear the yellow star by jefe7777 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      After watching the video..I kind of sympathize with this guy..you can tell he truly believes in his right "not to be fucked with"...by anyone.

      The cop was fairly reasonable and polite. The cowboy was moderately animated, moved around a bit, and refused to show his ID. I can see how the cop would definitely have his guard up.

      It's a difficult line to draw. Both arguments seem reasonable. That's why it's "on the line".

      Note: If you are planning on civil disobedience, disobey, and if at all possible, stay calm and state your case...then go to jail. Hiibel could have done a better job, if his goal was to make a point.

      Hiibel is hoping the video will clear him. I've got to be candid and say that it's "borderline". In the video, Hiibel states: "i'm being cooperative"...but many people will look at his body language and decide that he really wasn't. Hiibel's wife isn't going to help either, she went off in the video, like a screeching hag. And nobody had touched her yet!

    18. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't forget to add +1 to "redundant", a favorite mod-down of the ignorant.

    19. Re:Wear the yellow star by operagost · · Score: 5, Interesting

      He had no right to ask for ID. What he could have done is asked the guy what his name was, first! Then if the answer was suspicious, ask for his ID. That's what is meant by being secure in one's person and PAPERS.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    20. Re:Wear the yellow star by gray+code · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Any investigation that the cop might have started on the side of the road did not require, nor would have been furthered by, Mr. Hiibel's ID. The cop had a report that there was some kind of fighting going on in a truck who's description (i assume) matched Hiibels. He would have had reasonable suspicion that something had been going on and that a he had the right people but he did not have probable cause. And since (as far as we know) the witness did not name any names ("that looked like Hiibel in that truck"), asking for Hiibel's ID was unreasonable as the cop was not looking for a specific person by name.

      If you watch the video, the cop made no attempt to even verify that a fight/crime had occurred before he demanded ID and arrested Hiibel. I think that's really the crux of the debate.

    21. Re:Wear the yellow star by duncanatlk · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Am I only one who watched the video, and thinks this guy was drunk on his ass? I can't believe he was lucky enough to dodge a DUI, and then has the gall to take this to the Supreme Court. And why is this on Slashdot?

    22. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So, you're saying that you troll independently, or did I forget to name the group you belong to? If the latter is the case, I'd appreciate your clueing me in on the missing group.

    23. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I suspect OG is an old skool inchfan (etc) troll, and if you don't know what I mean, you should back off. Keep up the good work, Obvious Guy.

    24. Re:Wear the yellow star by Tiro · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Yes standing up for freedom deserves getting modded up, but so does real perspective.

      As a student of the Politics of Local Justice, let me tell you that this kind of event is a lot more common in Humbolt Co., NV or Anytownship, USA than it is in Chicago or San Antonio. The reason is that police in rural jurisdictions are expected by the townsfolk to keep tabs on everything going on in town. If there is a stranger who isn't just passing through, it'd be good to know who he is.

      This happens for two reasons: Constitutional rulings keep getting handed down at a VERY rapid rate from the Supremes, and rural cops don't have the time or the training to keep up with them. Also remember they're less well paid and less educated in general than city cops. Second, rural cops have to deal with a lot of weird shit because of how intimately they're tied to the community. If Johnny and Tony get in a fight, cop takes them home to Mother--an extralegal response, but a lot more efficient/practical than prison.

      What you guys need to remember is that there's a big difference between policies enacted at the National level in Nazi Germany and power exercised on the "capillary" level, to use Foucault's term, power and authority exercised beyond what is precisely legally ordaned. This second type of overstepping can be called more harmful, because it happens below the radar--blacks in the South got kept down by the man way after the post Civil War constitutional amendments.

      But the way our government is set up, it doesn't lead to Naziism. Local police are subject to local constraints on their behavior, what the townsfold consider right, and that restricts them a lot more than state/fed constitution. Basically the slippery slope argument is null here, because when cops pull stunts like these [not this specific case but other similar abuses] in the Big City, judges don't buy it. Federal judges especially will tell prosecutors to fuck off, and don't come back, if they try the "drugs fell out of his pocket" routine in open court.

      But the way things work on the ground in rural America is a bit different--but it generally works out okay. If it makes you queasy, move to the city, and you'll be fine. Nevermind the Nazi FUD trolls.

    25. Re:Wear the yellow star by jay-oh-eee! · · Score: 1

      What a fitting reactionary comment. The law of having to produce ID has been on the books for awhile. Even though I also think it's kind of a BS law, why should I not be able to give my ID to an officer, should it really be for an investigation, such as questioning witnesses at a crime scene.

      I find it very amusing to see over reaction such as yours: always starting with a grim prediction of impending facism because you have to have a Blockbuster Video card to rent a game. "Wear the yellow star", I don't know whether to laugh at such an absurd comparision or to be offended for trivializing real oppression.

      Next time have something more that argumentative to start a thread. The slippery slope indeed.

      --
      Photo Aspect -- an open, free, J2EE & JBoss photoalbu
    26. Re:Wear the yellow star by slasher999 · · Score: 1

      I disagree. Based solely on the posting it seems that requesting id from this guy was a perfectly reasable thing for the officer to do once he identified himself as an officer. By not presenting id when it was requested this guy made himself look suspicious, and the officer was completely right in arresting him as far as I'm concerned.

      What if the officer had ignored this guy and later that night a family up the street was murdered? Wouldn't it have been better if the officer could have said he had identified a guy in the area earlier that night instead of that he saw some guy there but ignored him since the guy wasn't doing anything wrong at that point?

      Presenting id to an officer of the law is something anyone should be willing to do unless they have something to hide. Freedom and protection have to go hand in hand. Give a little, get a lot.

    27. Re:Wear the yellow star by NanoGator · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "But I guess anonymity is something to be feared and trampled on."

      What? Anonymous posting is a huge burden on Slashdot because 99.9% of what you anonymous chickenshits post is inflammatory garbage. The fact that a.) The threshold is even there and b.) That it's only ONE point above anonymous is not a sign that being anonymous is something to be feared, but rather something that is accepted. Only on Slashdot could the allowance of anonymous posting be turned into some attempt to keep the little people down.

      Incidently, you're still anonymous even if you register a nickname. Nobody has any NFI who you are, nickname or not. In light of that fact alone, I don't see how anybody could mod what you said as insightful.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    28. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's why 99.9999% of us don't travel to your accusatory/backwards countries. We prefer to be thought of as innocent. Of course most aren't, but we like to think it anyway.

    29. Re:Wear the yellow star by VFVTHUNTER · · Score: 3, Interesting

      If you fit the description of a suspect and are in the vicinity of a crime, I'm with you. But consider this:

      "Those who desire to give up freedom, in order to gain security, shall not have, nor do they deserve, either one." --Thomas Jefferson

      Are you any safer now than you were before 09/11/2001? Does it bother you than John Ashcroft is using chemical weapons laws to go after meth lab operators? Yes they should be in jail but that is in no way the spirit of THAT law. That's why TJ was absolutely right.

    30. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Nazi's had pieces of flair...that they made the Jews wear

    31. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      I suspect OG is an old school inchfan (etc) troll, and if you don't know what I mean
      Sounds to me like you mean "pretentious adequoid faggot", but then, IMHO spiralx was the only one of the old-timers who was worth a damn. Anyways,, thnx for the clue, OGG.
    32. Re:Wear the yellow star by forgetful · · Score: 3, Insightful

      A few years ago I was stopped by a "drug interdiction team" while coming off the desert after a week long camping trip. My young son and nephew were with me and we were detained for an hour while they brought out a little shaggy dog to sniff the tires. I was polite, but really pissed. The cops Mutt and Jeffed us the whole time. This was fairly common for a year or so until a couple was detained for four hours. They filed a $40 million civil suit, and I haven't seen one of these roadblocks since. There was never a public report of the outcome of the suit, so I assume the couple won something. I've had many friends who were cops and deputies, but there is no excuse for constitutional violations; more so if the immediate public safety is not at risk.

      --
      "...while history is usually explicable it is often irrational" --Roger Spiller
    33. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Any investigation that the cop might have started on the side of the road did not require, nor would have been furthered by, Mr. Hiibel's ID.

      Actually if his ID confirmed that he shared the same address as the alleged victim of battery/assault, then the crime could be upgraded to domestic violence battery/assault which carries harsher penalties (even though the crime didn't take place in their shared residence).

      I doubt that the cop had that on his mind though. His actions were unconstitutional but they weren't entirely unreasonable. In law school, I defended women accused of domestic violence battery because they defended themselves in a fight with their boyfriend/husband and the cop just arrested everyone in sight instead of trying to figure out what happened.

    34. Re:Wear the yellow star by stevew · · Score: 1

      I tend to agree with abolith's assessment. Further, the moderation system is truly BROKEN when someone who expresses a reasonable opinion without either slander or malice and directly on topic is moderated DOWN.

      Back to the point at hand - the cop has probable cause to stop and question them because of the report. Further, he says he is involved in an investigation which is basically saying "I've got probable cause to be talking to you, i.e. not a random molestation of a private citizen.

      Next consider this from the officer's point of view (really -try placing yourself in his position for a minute.) He's come upon a guy who is acting hinky. You want to know who you are dealing with for your own safety! You're going to take the guys ID and find out if he's dangerous to you, wanted for some reason, etc. Again - the officer already has stepped over the first hurdle of probable cause because he's responding to a call, and this fellow meets the general description of what he's looking for. For that matter - the guy IS who the officer is looking for! The report may have been inaccurate as to what was really transpiring, but a concerned citizen was doing what we would all hope they would do if we were suffering from spousal abuse, or some other such.

      --
      Have you compiled your kernel today??
    35. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll actually be wearing a purple triangle, thank you. That would've identified me as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in a Nazi camp.

      Oddly enough, though few in number, the Witnesses were persecuted even more than many Jews. How? Because they had the option to sign a paper renouncing their faith, yet refused in almost every case. Hitler actually considered a firing squad too humane a death for Jehovah's Witnesses. He had most of the ones executed killed by guillotine.

      And trust me, you won't miss a thing. The next conflict won't be so obvious until you're neck deep in it.

    36. Re:Wear the yellow star by qtp · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I can't believe he was lucky enough to dodge a DUI

      He wasn't driving, and nowhere in the charges against him is he accused of having been drunk.

      and then has the gall to take this to the Supreme Court.

      That's the court you want your case to go to when your Fourth Amendment rights are being violated.

      And why is this on Slashdot?

      Because search and seizure is a serious topic for geeks old enough to remember the late 1980s and early 1990s.

      --
      Read, L
    37. Re:Wear the yellow star by bonkedproducer · · Score: 1

      "Those who desire to give up freedom, in order to gain security, shall not have, nor do they deserve, either one." --Thomas Jefferson (WRONG!)

      Hate to nit-pick here - but that's Ben Franklin. Jefferson said more interesting quotes to get you on the FBI watchlists like:

      "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure." -- Thomas Jefferson

      --
      Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society - M. Twain
    38. Re:Wear the yellow star by VFVTHUNTER · · Score: 2, Funny

      Thanks for the correction - I always get their wigs confused :)

    39. Re:Wear the yellow star by Katharine · · Score: 5, Informative

      duncanatlk wrote: I can't believe he was lucky enough to dodge a DUI . . .

      No luck involved. His daughter had been driving the truck.

      As for why it's on Slashdot, I've noticed that the folks here have a fondness for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Here's the amicus brief the EFF filed in support of Mr. Hiibel.

    40. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      You're going to take the guys ID and find out if he's dangerous to you, wanted for some reason, etc.
      So I'm allowed to ask anyone I encounter for their ID to verify that they aren't dangerous to me if they act "hinky"?
    41. Re:Wear the yellow star by tftp · · Score: 1
      How exactly would you produce an ID while sitting in jail (assuming that you really have no ID with you)?

      I easily may not have any ID with me when I walk to the street corner to buy something [half-]edible. That is still legal, I hope...

    42. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      well actually the guy asked several time "why" and even made some statment that he hasn't and didn't do anythign wrong. he even stated that he didn't know anything about what he was talking about when the cop mentioned that they had a report there was fighting between them.

      this would lead a sain person to believe that he honestly didn't know he was doing anythign wrong and the courts even backed that up. when he asked why, the cops should have more apropriatly told him they were investagating a complaint about demestic violence at this location and he fit the description.

      i bet if he was responded with a sane answer thaT actually had merit, id would have either been produced or he would have stated it is at home (or were ever it was). i guess this is more or less picking on the profesionalism of the officers but i wouls have reacted in a simular way if i thouhgt the cop was senslessly harrasing me. (note that this is the impresion this guy give durring almost the entire video).

      when as why, "i'm investigating" or "investigating an investagation" apears have been the turning point were this guy goes crazy with not producing his id. don't you have a right to know what your being acused of? anyways if i'm part of an investigation i want to know so my answers won't incriminate me (not lie but not incriminate myself) and i belive to some extent you do have that right.

    43. Re: Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's from "Office Space"

    44. Re: Wear the yellow star by bezuwork's+friend · · Score: 4, Insightful
      So I'm allowed to ask anyone I encounter for their ID to verify that they aren't dangerous to me if they act "hinky"?

      Of course you are allowed to ask this. That doesn't mean anyone has to comply. Just don't impersonate a police officer when you ask, now that'd be illegal.

      A police officer is able to legally ask anything that an ordinary citizen can ask. The thing I don't like is that because police officers have a visual authority and act and use a voice which conveys that they have the authority to ask what they ask, they get alot of people to comply with their requests to the detriment of the people when the police don't have the legal authority to enforce compliance.

      The repeat offenders, the dangerous criminals, are not the ones likely to get caught like this. The ones who get caught are likely the younger ones, the high schoolers out drinking and such.

    45. Re:Wear the yellow star by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · · Score: 2

      Point of order. Just because a law is "on the books" does not ipso facto make it constitutional. That is why it's before the Supremes.

      --
      "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
    46. Re:Wear the yellow star by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 5, Insightful
      The cowboy was moderately animated, moved around a bit, and refused to show his ID. I can see how the cop would definitely have his guard up.
      "Having your guard up" is not the same as having probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed.
      It's a difficult line to draw. Both arguments seem reasonable.

      It's not and they don't. Police can detain a citizen only when there are specific and articulable facts supporting reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed, and can make an arrest only based on probable cause. "I don't want to show you my papers, and I don't want to talk to you" is basis for neither.

      If you are planning on civil disobedience...

      Civil disobedience means breaking the law. It does not include standing up for your legal rights. The only law breaking going on here was the actions of the police.

      In the video, Hiibel states: "i'm being cooperative"...but many people will look at his body language and decide that he really wasn't.

      Body language is not probable cause for arrest.

      --
      Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
      You cannot wash away blood with blood
    47. Re:Wear the yellow star by bonkedproducer · · Score: 1

      Not a problem - hey what's this clicking on my phone?

      --
      Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society - M. Twain
    48. Re: Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Lighten up.










      Kike.

    49. Re:Wear the yellow star by PaK_Phoenix · · Score: 1

      The problem is he couldn't ask for ID, untill he had probable cause that 1) a crime had indeed occured & 2) these people, him in particular, was infact the guily party.

      From what I gather the officer had neither, and therefore after detaining him for the stop-frisk, would have to release him

      --
      This space intentionally left blank.
    50. Re:Wear the yellow star by jwkane · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      Except he was responding to a _possible_ crime. A father and his daughter arguing while she drove. So like responsible citizens they pull over and cool off rather than endangering the rest of us.

      Then along comes the pig. He's heard there might be something going on. So his oinks into a situation as an entirely unwanted third party. In his ignorance he demands ID when no crime is evident. When it's not forthcoming he starts arresting people.

      It was a blatent abuse of power. Yes, there are rational _reasons_ for the officers actions. But they have to be good reasons that can be applied in every case.

      If an acceptable cause for a required ID check is a possible connection to a possible crime then we've just been transported to Berlin 35'

    51. Re:Wear the yellow star by Greyfox · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      So the thread ended on the first post? Ow...

      --

      I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

    52. Re:Wear the yellow star by lavaface · · Score: 1
      Hiibel's wife isn't going to help either, she went off in the video, like a screeching hag.

      It wasn't his wife. It was his daughter.

    53. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How interesting, ObviousGuy that you only reply to this OT thread as an AC. Yes, we know that it's you.

      I'm not replying as myself because you don't know me, and I prefer it that way. You seem to be all too adriot at manipulating ignorant moderators who don't know of your tactics...

      You are, however, registered with the Troll Blacklist. You will be delt with accordingly.

    54. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just to be fair, I have seen folks flip drugs out of their pockets (to try and get rid of them).

      Sadly, I can also believe that a very small minority of dirty cops might have planted drugs on certain suspects they were "sure" were guilty of something... (especially those who they knew to have priors...)

    55. Re:Wear the yellow star by instarx · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What he could have done is asked the guy what his name was, first

      No. The police officer did NOT have the right to ask his name. His name had no bearing on determining if a crime had been committed or even if there was probable cause. How is it better for your Constitutional rights to have the police demand your identity by voice rather than by paper? The whole point is that you do not have to identify yourself to the police simply because they want to know who you are.

      Then if the answer was suspicious, ask for his ID

      Suspicious? How can giving or not giving you name be suspicious? Is "Donald Duck" a suspicious name - or is what Mr. Hiibel answered ("Why?") suspicious enough?

    56. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Presenting id to an officer of the law is something anyone should be willing to do unless they have something to hide. Freedom and protection have to go hand in hand. Give a little, get a lot"

      ha, i have a few blakc friends that refuse to come over to my house anymore after one of the local cops spoted them "circleing the block in a suspicious vehicle with out of county plates"
      after they finally found a parking space and walk upto the proch, rang my doorbell and i answered, the cop decided to stop them. even with me telling them that they werent suspicious they were trying to find a parking place to visit me, the cops continued to question them. they did this fore over an hour and a half on my front lawn with every neibor watching. after they questioned them ran thier licens numbers and one guy social because he didn't have id on him, they insisted on searching the car they drove. after that the cops wanted to search my house. i refused to let them in stating if they had a reason other than to nibshit around they would have already obtained a warent or did it out of probabal cause.

      that pretty much ended the episode but my 4 friends were afraid to drive out of the nieborhood later that night. the whole ordeal took aroung 3 hours total and every one of my neibors asked me for several weeks what really happend.

      they had no reason to do this even under your liberal "once he identified himself as an officer"

      but i guess there is nothing wrong with this is there? and i'm hiding somethign because i told them no.. seems they werent woried about me as umuch (maybe because i'm not black or because i didn't give in to thier shit)

    57. Re: Wear the yellow star by jadavis · · Score: 1

      Well, they gotta learn sometime. I don't think it's good that stupid people can be exploited. Unfortunately, since their stupidity is given, no policy in place could possibly protect them. So, I don't like it either, but what do we do? I think the greater question is what can we do to change the incentives away from police picking on kids for BS crimes, and give them more incentives to prevent worse crimes?

      Well, that again is in the eye of the beholder: some people consider selling drugs to be like murder.

      --
      Social scientists are inspired by theories; scientists are humbled by facts.
    58. Re:Wear the yellow star by nacturation · · Score: 1

      Hiibel's wife isn't going to help either, she went off in the video, like a screeching hag.

      You mean he married his daughter??

      --
      Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
    59. Re:Wear the yellow star by Fjandr · · Score: 5, Informative

      Brown v. Texas, 443 U.S. 47 (1979) (USSC+)

      Two police officers, while cruising near noon in a patrol car, observed appellant and another man walking away from one another in an alley in an area with a high incidence of drug traffic. They stopped and asked appellant to identify himself and explain what he was doing. One officer testified that he stopped appellant because the situation "looked suspicious, and we had never seen that subject in that area before." The officers did not claim to suspect appellant of any specific misconduct, nor did they have any reason to believe that he was armed. When appellant refused to identify himself, he was arrested for violation of a Texas statute which makes it a criminal act for a person to refuse to give his name and address to an officer "who has lawfully stopped him and requested the information." Appellant's motion to set aside an information charging him with violation of the statute on the ground that the statute violated the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments was denied, and he was convicted and fined.

      Held: The application of the Texas statute to detain appellant and require him to identify himself violated the Fourth Amendment because the officers lacked any reasonable suspicion to believe that appellant was engaged or had engaged in criminal conduct. Detaining appellant to require him to identify himself constituted a seizure of his person subject to the requirement of the Fourth Amendment that the seizure be "reasonable." Cf. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 ; United States v. Brignoni-Ponce, 422 U.S. 873. The Fourth Amendment requires that such a seizure be based on specific, objective facts indicating that society's legitimate interests require such action, or that the seizure be carried out pursuant to a plan embodying explicit, neutral limitations on the conduct of individual officers. Delaware v. Prouse, 440 U.S. 648 . Here, the State does not contend that appellant was stopped pursuant to a practice embodying neutral criteria, and the officers' actions were not justified on the ground that they had a reasonable suspicion, based on objective facts, that he was involved in criminal activity. Absent any basis for suspecting appellant of misconduct, the balance between the public interest in crime prevention and appellant's right to personal [p*48] security and privacy tilts in favor of freedom from police interference.

    60. Re:Wear the yellow star by fatgeekuk · · Score: 1

      Folks,
      this was on Kuro5hin yesterday and very thoroughly covered.

      What the guy does not tell you is...

      1) The officer NEVER said "investigating an investigation"
      2) The "investigation" was a call related to a disturbance (the guy was arguing LOADLY with his daughter) while parked in the vehicle and a local householder phoned it in fearing for the girls safety.
      3) he was not asked for ID, it did not get that far, he was asked to identify himself.

      This sort of knee jerk reaction to a headline is why the K5 folk look down on /.

      However, their coverage of most of this was exactly the same as here. but eventually the above information came out.

    61. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I live in europe, and we ARE NOT required to carry any ID. In fact, the only ID everybody has is a fragile plastic card with no picture, and carrying it in your pocket is considered intentional destruction (yes, apparently it is that fragile), and you'll have to pay for a replacement. So, unless you run around with a hand bag (only women do that), the card is located in a drawer in the bedroom.

      Other european countries may be different.

    62. Re:Wear the yellow star by other_things_to_do · · Score: 1
      Am I only one who watched the video, and thinks this guy was drunk on his ass?
      Since when does appearing drunk imply that one has, or is about to, commit a crime?

      the gall?
      King George's very thoughts.

      And why is this on Slashdot?
      It should be everywhere, everyone should know about this case. If Slashdot hadn't posted this item I wouldn't have seen it since I haven't read anything about it through my traditional news channels. Thank you Slashdot!
    63. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hiibel's wife isn't going to help either, she went off in the video, like a screeching hag.

      And I thought *I* had a low opinion of the legal system. You think that he's going to get convicted for failing to show his ID (!) because his daughter was "screeching like a hag"? This is stupid.

    64. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the gall?
      King George's very thoughts.


      If King George had accused anyone of having gall, it would probably have been a tree. Mr Hiibet is not accused of being a tree.

    65. Re:Wear the yellow star by LizardKing · · Score: 2, Insightful

      in most places (Europe, for example) they can hold you for a few days until you produce some

      United Kingdom: no
      France: no
      Germany: no
      Italy: no

      Well, that covers over half the European population. Get your facts straight next time.

      Chris

    66. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If he wasn't driving, why'd he keep asking if his truck was parked legally?

    67. Re:Wear the yellow star by pyrotic · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Where I come from (UK), the police can ask to see your driving licence if you are in charge of a car. As his daughter was driving, I can't see why he should have to have ID. However, it sounds odd (to European ears) that people are freaked out that they need to show ID to police. In France it is illegal not to have ID with you, anywhere. Period.

    68. Re:Wear the yellow star by adamh · · Score: 2, Insightful

      They can certainly ask for it - but you're not required to have it with you.

      If you don't have it with you they can ask you to produce your Driving license, registration, insurance, and MOT certificates at a police station within a week or so.

      Adam
    69. Re:Wear the yellow star by Oddly_Drac · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "Hiibel's wife isn't going to help either, she went off in the video, like a screeching hag. And nobody had touched her yet!"

      Daughter. At least have the decency to deal with facts rather than assumptions.

      She was a seventeen year old girl watching her father get cuffed for an argument that she was having with him. It's bound to be a little stressful, and you have to wonder whether a heavily armed man really needs to sit on a girl to 'restrain her'.

      "I can see how the cop would definitely have his guard up."

      That's because he was prepared to make an arrest before he was prepared to find out what the situation was. Start confrontational, no matter how polite, and things will remain confrontational, especially where one party is armed and twitchy because they don't know if the other party is armed. Fear isn't a good thing to take into any discussion.

      Instead of smiling and trying to find out what the situation was, he did that ludicrously polite demanding that has more in common with a four year old than a trained officer of the law. After being told once that he couldn't see ID is when a decision should be made, but he should have made at least some effort to see if a crime had actually been committed.

      Firstly, the statutes tend to deal with innocence before guilt. Secondly, a dangerous precedence is being set up by 'resisting arrest' being the only reason that someone should be arrested.

      The main problem is that events like these only serve to reduce the faith that people have in the body that is supposed to be protecting them, and trying to whitewash the incident or dodge the culpability only makes matters worse.

      --
      Oddly Draconis
      Too cynical to live, too stubborn to die.
    70. Re:Wear the yellow star by Eunuchswear · · Score: 1
      In France it is illegal not to have ID with you, anywhere. Period.

      Rubbish.

      You can be picked up for being a vagrant if you don't have ID or a small sum of money (was 50 FRF, don't know how much now) in a public place.

      If a cop asks you for ID and you don't have it you'll have to present yourself at a police station within a few days with the ID.

      French people don't even have to change their papers when the change address any more. (Us foreign scum still do though).

      --
      Watch this Heartland Institute video
    71. Re:Wear the yellow star by JohnFluxx · · Score: 1, Insightful

      or it could be that people are fed up of having this stupid case being compared to nazi germany.

      Read kuro5hin for why this is a stupid case.

    72. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because he is wondering why the cop is there?

    73. Re:Wear the yellow star by aerique · · Score: 4, Informative
      However, it sounds odd (to European ears) that people are freaked out that they need to show ID to police.

      Bull.. it doesn't sound odd at all to my Dutch ears.

      We didn't have to show any ID nor have any on our person until about ten years back here in the Netherlands. Since then, the powers that be have slowly eroded those freedoms and they are pushing for an obligation to carry and show an ID everywhere. (See the press release and open letter from Privacy International to the Dutch government.)

      Just about all of the reasons for obligatory ID are unfounded or shown misguided yet they are still pushing for it and the majority of the government supports it.

      The mind wonders :-(

    74. Re: Wear the yellow star by dave420-2 · · Score: 1

      You're wrong on one key point there - a police officer isn't allowed to ask everything a normal citizen can. Special Orders, as they're called, can be enforced which prohibit members of the law enforcement community from asking certain things. For example, the LAPD have "Special Order 50", which stops them from asking about someone's immigration status. Sounds funny, but there was a huge amount of LAPD officers threatening latinos with deportation unless they "helped" them in their investigations, which is hardly fair on anyone.

    75. Re: Wear the yellow star by Lumpy · · Score: 2, Informative

      Let's add to this that police officers generall have the attitude that they are above the law.

      most of the time they are breaking the law themselves in the police car by not obeying traffic laws, and then they break it wildly after work knowing they wont even get pulled over for smoking the tires through a red light if they are in their own turf. (I know 3 cops, yes this is absolutely true... an officer will get written up for writing a ticket to another officer by the union and the station)

      the police need to be held to a higher standard... officer crumb was caught speeding? FIRED. officer dan acted in a non professional manner? FIRED.

      I'm sick of the cops being populated by the power trip asshats and guys that are generally jerks. police academies need to be re-opened, you should be REQUIRED to prove that you are worthy of being a cop.

      unbfortunately today, all it takes is a little college education and a red neck. and in michigan now, no college is needed anymore in several cities....

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    76. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Maybe you brit would talk for yourself instead of other Europeans..

      In the Netherlands it has just become mandatory to be able to show an ID on request from the police, and they can only ask for it in very specific cases.

      That it took 58 years from the second world war to re-introduce this is very telling, people are VERY suspicious about such a thing. For those who compare this kind of requirement to Nazi Germany, it is simple, it is the people here who lived under Nazi occupation who strongly oppose this for the reason that they have seen it at work and know what it will do.
      THEY seem to feel it is similar, who do those US dipwits think they are when saying that it has nothing to do with it?

      The problem is twofold:

      1. The requirement to carry an ID actually results in more crime, ID cards arew rather favoirite among criminals since it allows them to 'rpove' a false identity. Since the introduction of the requirement to carry an id, robbery and theft explicitly aimed at obtaining ID cards has exploded (since a criminal can be reasonably sure that loot will include an UD card)

      2. It does not prevent any crimes, at best it makes it easier to indentify those who happen to be present at a crime, but there are other ways to achieve this, and the ONE AND ONLY reason for arresting someone is whatever the person did, not whatever ID the person happens to have.

      Bottomline, such ID requirements are counter productive and cause oppression by giving police a way to randomly harrass people (and that is no theory, it happens daily)

    77. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So what's Diana Ross got to say about it then?

    78. Re:Wear the yellow star by iainf · · Score: 1

      I'm from the UK too. We don't have to pony up our papers to the cops just because they ask.

      Even if they stop you when driving, and ask to see your driving licence etc, you don't have to produce it on the spot, nor can they haul you in for not having it with you - you have a full 7 days to present it at any police station in the UK.

      Yes, I'd be freaked if we suddely had to start carrying papers, and producing them whenever J Random Cop wanted to see them. But I suspect that Blunkett would rather like them to have those powers, so I'm expecting a fight pretty soon.

    79. Re:Wear the yellow star by Threni · · Score: 1

      > if you read the transcription it says that there was a report of a fight.

      Yeah, like whenever I get stopped by the police (in the UK) they always say `you match a description of someone reported as loitering/committed a burglary`. Which means `I'm bored`.

    80. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the moderation system is truly BROKEN when someone who expresses a reasonable opinion without either slander or malice and directly on topic is moderated DOWN.

      I'd like to see an admin or Slashcode maintainer justify the Overrated moderation. So far as I can tell it is only abused.

    81. Re:Wear the yellow star by ratamacue · · Score: 1
      How the heck did the yellow star post get marked as offtopic?

      There is a particularly pathetic breed of troll on Slashdot: the moderation troll. Instead of actually debating the issue, the moderation troll attempts to manipulate a post's moderation points in his favor. Because the moderation troll doesn't posess the capacity to debate on an intelligent level, he must resort to this pathetic solution. It's his only source of expression.

      The moderation troll seems to lust for power, the power to suppress a person's words so that others won't have the opportunity to consider those words. It gives him a feeling of superiority. Sad, but true.

      On the upside, the moderation troll will never win -- he doesn't realize he is fighting an uphill battle. For every moderation troll, there are hundreds of responsible moderators.

    82. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Incidently, you're still anonymous even if you register a nickname. Nobody has any NFI who you are, nickname or not.

      Brian Pace, of Portland, Oregon, it would appear. So much for anonymity.

    83. Re:Wear the yellow star by SoTuA · · Score: 1
      In Chile, not having your driver's licence when driving a car is subject of a hefty fine, and I think they take you in too, as you can't drive with it.

      Not having your ID card with you results in being taken in. That's right. You must have your ID card or a slip of paper from the cops wich they give you when you report your ID card stolen. (Stolen ID cards are not funny stuff, people use the here for fraudulent loans and the guy whose ID was used for it has a hard time getting all that debt cleared.)

    84. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The police do have a right to ask questions of anyone.... just like anyone else. Citizens have the right to *not* answer and/or walk away.

      That is the point. Citizens have the right not to answer questions posed by police officers who have less than probable cause.

      Read the ACLU brief. Learn your rights.

    85. Re:Wear the yellow star by merky1 · · Score: 1
      Does it bother you than John Ashcroft is using chemical weapons laws to go after meth lab operators?

      Not really... Tweakers are horrible people, so I can actually agree with this one. Don't like the enforcement, switch a mellower illegal substance.

      --
      --WooooHoooo--
    86. Re:Wear the yellow star by Stephen+Maturin · · Score: 5, Informative
      Actually, they had pieces of 'flair' for lots of groups in society they wanted to keep tabs on.

      Homosexuals had a pink triangle

      Communists had a red triangle

      Criminals had a green triangle

      Anti-Socialists had a black triangle

      Emigrants had a blue triangle

      Gypsies had a brown triangle

      Jehova's Witnesses had a purple triangle.
      The fact is (commonly overlooked) that many more people than just Jews were persecuted and interred in concentration camps under the Nazi regime.

      --
      Non tam praeclarum est scire Latine, quam turpe nescire
      -- Cicero
    87. Re:Wear the yellow star by operagost · · Score: 1

      Number one, there's a difference between demanding and requesting. I was suggesting proper police procedure. Number two, there is "probably cause", and while I hadn't specifically been thinking about the "Donald Duck" response, I was thinking about this specific incident. The cop wasn't performing a random interrogation, he had a domestic violence report. It turned out to be B.S., but it would be hard to determine that without talking to the guy, wouldn't it?

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    88. Re:Wear the yellow star by flyneye · · Score: 1

      dunno about foreign countries like Cal.
      For the rest of us in the several states,we still have the right to be safe in our persons and documents even if it irritates one of the donut patrol.hell, after looking over years of people i've seen in tax court,YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO GIVE YOUR NAME AS MARKED ON YOUR BIRTH CERT.(course this is all a lengthy discussion that i've no urge to argue with the undereducated or knowitall law students)Hiibel doesnt have to do anything but stand there and breathe.Screw the pigs,wherever they may be.Impede them wherever possible(my fav is to throw a handful of roofing nails out at their fav spots to park for speed traps,friggin tax collectors).hell yeah resist,or live with ever increasing fascism.

      --
      *Repent!Quit Your Job!Slack Off!The World Ends Tomorrow and You May Die!
    89. Re:Wear the yellow star by Smoking · · Score: 1

      In switzerland you can get problems if your front seat passenger is drunk...

      If you drive a drunk person, you should put him on the rear seats...

      Moreso, if you're not drunk and the passenger of a drunk driver, you can face the same charges as him...

    90. Re:Wear the yellow star by Casualposter · · Score: 1

      And search and seizure is still a big issue for us geeks. Check this bit out:

      http://www.cithosting.com/

      I'm not giving you all a clickable link, because I'm ignorant of how to do that, and too busy to learn. (It's on my to do list.)

      --
      Creative Spelling Copyright (2002). May use without Persimmons
    91. Re:Wear the yellow star by qtp · · Score: 1

      )The man was not even inside the vehicle.

      I very much doubt that there is a law against standing alongside the road next to your own property while smoking a cigarette (even if you ae drunk).

      --
      Read, L
    92. Re: Wear the yellow star by Mycroft_VIII · · Score: 1

      "A police officer is able to legally ask anything that an ordinary citizen can ask. The thing I don't like is that because police officers have a visual authority and act and use a voice which conveys that they have the authority to ask what they ask,"

      It's been called the voice of command among other things, if you act and talk like your in charge, people tend to automatically respond as such.
      I got pulled over once shortly after a snow storm and goofed and pulled over to wrong side of the road and promptly got stuck.
      I started out apologetic and polite, but when the officer got rude ("where you born stupid or what?") I just stood up straight, shifted my 'attitude' and replied 'Excuse me?' not in a pissed off voice (anger IS fear, show eighter and your lunch), but with my best version of the 'command voice'. Calm controlled and Confident of with both my body language and voice saying 'I just took charge and you just walked out on thin ice' HIS attitude changed.
      In the end him and two other officers helped me unstick my car, and I thanked them for it and meant it. (that last bit is important as well, excersize for the student?)

      And to be more on toppic, I don't ever want to live with "Papers Pleze" as requireing no reason.

      Mycroft

      --
      https://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4c3ed6600b6ea
    93. Re:Wear the yellow star by Mycroft_VIII · · Score: 1

      wha huh??????

      If he had neigther the most he could have done is suggest they leave. a stop frisk is even more a 'search' as what the constituitional amendment mentions than insisting on ID. you need probable cause there as well.

      Mycroft

      --
      https://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4c3ed6600b6ea
    94. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's because in UK, you already have no rights. The Right to Remain Silent in the UK is an admission of guilt, and you have over 2 million security cameras in London alone watching your every move. You don't have the Right to Bear Arms, you don't have Free Speech. In other words, your country sucks. We don't want to end up like you.

    95. Re:Wear the yellow star by mgessner · · Score: 1, Informative

      If you read the brief the Solicitor General filed with the USSC, you'll see that the arresting deputy noted his suspicions that Hiibel was drunk.

      I agree with whoever posted that the officer should have first asked the guy's name, and not gone into a confrontation over the ID unless he had suspicion that he was lying.

      OK, the officer started off acting irresponsibly. You don't approach drunks antagonistically. You approach them gently so they think there isn't a threat. Then you lead them through.

      But this suit is nuts. The guy screwed up in refusing to offer his ID, even as the officer was wrong in his actions.

      But, this should be a CIVIL case in a local court over the way the police assaulted the daughter, not a case over whether or not it's reasonable for the officer to have asked for some kind of identification in order to assess whether or not there was any kind of elevated danger presented by this guy.

      The web site makes him out to be some nice old fart just having a simple argument with his daughter. They don't mention the suspicion of drinking.

      And for those /.'ers who think this is a slipper slope, come on! Yeah, the Nazis did a LOT of nasty things to a LOT of people. You are attempting to make a connection between what happened here and a Nazi soldier breaking into someone's house at 2:30am demanding to see papers. It's just not there, folks.

      Yes, there's a lot of injustice in the world. Personally, I think both police officers should be fired with prejudice for the way they handled things. But my reading of this indicates Hiibels screwed up, too, and he's far from the innocent country bumpkin the website seems to make him.

      --
      "Sometimes the truth is stupid." - Lawrence, creator of Prime Intellect
    96. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Jefe, you are an idiot. Morons like you are the reason for our fast descent down the slippery slope to a Brave New World.

      Both "arguments" seem reasonable to a complete idiot. I will agree with you there. You are actually too stupid to argue with. I don't usually wish I had mod points just to mod someone down, but in your case...

    97. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In Cuba, you can be arrested for not having your ID even sitting at home. If you lose your ID, you can be arrested on your way to get a new one. Usually you only spend a few months in jail for this though.

    98. Re:Wear the yellow star by bonkedproducer · · Score: 1

      Uhh... what back seat is in the model truck he was driving???!

      --
      Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society - M. Twain
    99. Re:Wear the yellow star by lynx_user_abroad · · Score: 1
      he had a report of a fight at that location so the officer had every right to ask for ID.

      "Sir, we've had reports, from confidential sources, that there may be some Terrorist activity occuring somewhere within the United States (although we're not ruling out other countries, either), so I have every right to demand your papers..."

      I remember an interesting thing one of my California Surfer friends pointed out: most cops are smart enough not to ask for ID from someone who's only wearing a bathing suit. If Surfers aren't required to carry ID (I suppose even if someone reports "a fight" at Del Mar) they why should the rest of us be required?

      --

      The thing about things we don't know is we often don't know we don't know them.

    100. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      It is:

      <A HREF = "WEB ADDRESS HERE">CLICKY TEXT HERE</A>
    101. Re:Wear the yellow star by lynx_user_abroad · · Score: 1
      Is "Donald Duck" a suspicious name...

      THanks for the memories. I haven't thought od Donald Duck Dunn in years. I miss Motown.

      --

      The thing about things we don't know is we often don't know we don't know them.

    102. Re:Wear the yellow star by CreatureComfort · · Score: 1

      Karma whoring clickable link from someone who at work, and so not busy at all. ;-p

      Click Here

      --
      "Unheard of means only it's undreamed of yet,
      Impossible means not yet done." ~~ Julia Ecklar
    103. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In addition, freemasons were also persecuted (the Nazis imagined that there were links between freemasons and Jews, Communists and other undesirables). Freemasons had to generally hide/destroy their regalia (aprons etc) for fear of being caught with it.

      However, to identify themselves to each other (discreetly) in occupied Europe, I believe they wore pins/pin badges depicting forget-me-nots.

    104. Re:Wear the yellow star by bheerssen · · Score: 1

      But the way things work on the ground in rural America is a bit different--but it generally works out okay. If it makes you queasy, move to the city, and you'll be fine. Nevermind the Nazi FUD trolls.

      Bullshit. I have a right to walk into any town in America. If my rights get abused by the police there, I'll be just as pissed off as I would in my own home town. Not knowing somebody does not give the cops a right to shake them down. There has to be some evidence that the person has committed a crime, even if it's just loitering, before the person can be detained.

      --
      (Score: -1, Stupid)
    105. Re:Wear the yellow star by Alsee · · Score: 2, Informative
      clickable link... learn. (It's on my to do list.)

      A simplified example:
      <A href="LINK">TEXT</A>
      TEXT

      A full (working) example:
      Stuff <A href="http://www.cithosting.com/">the link</A> stuff.
      Stuff the link stuff.

      -
      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    106. Re:Wear the yellow star by Clemence · · Score: 1

      Disclaimer: IAAL

      Let's get a little perspective, everyone - there are far, far more serious risks to our liberties than this, for the love of Pete.

      The 4th Amendment prohibits "unreasonable" searches and seizures. The deputy didn't try to search Hiibel, the vehicle, or anything else . . . HE ASKED HIIBEL'S NAME!!

      Keeping in mind that facts are our friends: The deputy had a report that Hiibel was hitting his daughter (and he was originally charged with this), Hiibel was pretty clearly under the influence (watch that tape, read the transcript) and therefore driving drunk, he also told the deputy he had no i.d. (where I'm from it's illegal to drive without your license on hand), he admitted he was fighting with his daughter, and he had a knife. When asked (11 times!!) for i.d., he placed his hands behind his back and challenged the deputy to take him to jail. Now who was unreasonable? I'll not concede the point that the deputy had no cause to believe there were crimes committed or that there was any risk to himself, Hiibel's daughter, or the driving public.

      Police are killed or wounded at an alarming rate when responding to domestic disputes. An interesting statistic from Hiibel's Nevada Supreme Court case: "in the year 2000, fifty-one officers were murdered in the line of duty. These homicides occurred as follows: 13 during traffic stops/pursuits, . . . ., 8 during responses to disturbance calls. . . . Of the suspects who committed these killings, 20 had been previously arrested for crimes of violence, 9 had previously assaulted a police officer, and 12 were on probation or parole. . . . If the officers . . . had known the identity and history of their attackers prior to being assaulted or killed, perhaps some of these incidents could have been prevented." Hear, hear!

      Most states (like Nevada in this case) in fact REQUIRE citizens to produce identification to law enforcement upon demand where there's cause to believe a crime was committed. And based on those stats, for at least one good reason.

      I for one have far more sympathy for and concern over the liberty and well being of the 17-year old daughter he was allegedly beating - her screaming and distress may not only have been at her father's arrest. Perhaps it was at the prospect of a 17 year-old girl holding her, own in a fistfight with a drunken, knife-carrying 59-year-old man, but perhaps not.

      Hiibel should be castigated for clogging the courts, burning taxpayer money, and wasting the time law enforcement pretending to be a constitutional hero over a $250 fine! He got off easy!! Belligerent, drunken driving, child-beaters of the world unite! It is you who carry the banner of our freedom from tyranny! God Bless you all!

    107. Re:Wear the yellow star by martyros · · Score: 2, Interesting
      "Having your guard up" is not the same as having probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed.

      While that's true, I must say that in general cops have a lot tougher job that people give them credit for. They don't know these people, their character, their history, or whether they have any weapons. They risk coming into a situation with a "domestic dispute" trying to help and being enemies of both sides.

      When I was in the Marines, we had an indoor firing simulator that included training for MP's, which included some "shoot/no-shoot" scenarios, where you're covering your partner in some situation; and in half of the scenarios, someone pulls a gun and shoots you. Shoot too soon, or too late, and you fail the scenario.

      The scary thing was, just about anyone in the scene could do it, and for any reason. You pull a woman over for speeding, and she starts digging around in her purse, and pulls out a gun. You're breaking up a fight and your partner is wrestling one of the guys in the fight on the ground; his girlfriend says, "Stop it, leave him alone" in a really girly, weak way; then pulls a gun out of her purse and shoots him.

      I haven't seen the video, but I can understand why his daugher was tackled when she got out of the car, and why if he was acting upset (as is natural, if he was upset enough at his daughter to ask to get out of the car) the policeman would be afraid.

      Behavior of the police officer(s) aside, the guy didn't have anything against him, and shouldn't have had to show his ID. The charge should be dropped.

      --

      TCP: Why the Internet is full of SYN.

    108. Re:Wear the yellow star by scatalogical · · Score: 1

      Police are under no obligation whatsoever to protect the citizens of the United States.

      http://www.mcrkba.org/w19.html

    109. Re:Wear the yellow star by Kombat · · Score: 1

      It's not and they don't. Police can detain a citizen only when there are specific and articulable facts supporting reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed, and can make an arrest only based on probable cause. "I don't want to show you my papers, and I don't want to talk to you" is basis for neither.

      Ah, the things you learn watching "COPS" and other assorted reality-TV cop shows. In the US, if you take "I don't want to talk to you" to its logical extreme of actually walking (running) away from the cop who wishes to talk to you, they can chase you and arrest you, simply for running away. It's called "Felony Evasion." Note the "Felony" part. Not even a misdemeanor. A felony. You could get a felony record, just for running away from a cop. Even if you've done nothing else wrong, and they don't charge you with anything else, just simply running away is in itself a crime.

      Doesn't that seem a little weird?

      --
      Like woodworking? Build your own picture frames.
    110. Re:Wear the yellow star by jesboat · · Score: 1

      text of link

      You're welcome.

    111. Re:Wear the yellow star by instarx · · Score: 1

      Talking to the guy is fine. Asking for his identity, politely or not, is not fine. When reading the article and some of the supporting briefs it becomes clear there was no probable cause in this case. The police have to establish probable cause that a crime has been committed before they can ask for identification from citizens, and the officer did not do that. An anonymous tip does not establish probable cause. Also, Mr. Hiibel had no idea there had been a report of a domestic incident. As far as he new the police just drove up and started asking him for his identity. He was right to say no, in my opinion

      Proper police procedure by the officer would have helped a lot. He probably got confused because he was used to stopping people for traffic violations and being able to ask for their ID - but Mr. Hiibel had not been stopped for a violation. That means the officer had no right to demand, or even ask for, identification. It is clear that the officer knows very little about the law, and even less about constitutional rights of citizens - which is pretty scary when you think about it.

    112. Re:Wear the yellow star by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      Hmm....guess that means no more partying in Switzerland for me.....

      :-)

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    113. Re:Wear the yellow star by the_mad_poster · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I call troll. The issue of it being a "stupid case" to some people centers around the report and the fact that the defendant was acting in "an aggressive manner". However, he was hauled in for not producing and ID which is not a pubnishable offense. Since he wasn't driving the car, not ony is not prosecutable, he was under NO obligation to even be CARRYING an ID.

      If some cop walked up to me and said "I have a vague report of XYZ occurring" and couldn't give me any better reason for producing ID, I'd tell him to go pound sand too if he persisted after a polite refusal. Know why? Because a responsible officer wouldn't press the issue without producing a good reason for me to identify myself to him. Gonna charge me for something, I'll tell you who I am. I've never given my driver's license and registration to a cop that pulled me over until they told me why. I tell them I have it and I'll show it to them when they tell me why they pulled me over. This caused a problem one time when he persisted, but then relented, told me why he pulled me over, and I handed over the license without another word. Two other times they informed me why I was pulled over and that was that.

      --
      Alito: A vote for Alito is a punch in the eye to put that bitch back in her place!
    114. Re:Wear the yellow star by jasonisgodzilla · · Score: 1

      And I'm under no obligation to guaranty their safety if they screw with me without any legal grounds. You have the right to resist and unlawful arrest, at least in Texas, and I'm sure it's the same elsewhere.

    115. Re:Wear the yellow star by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      "The web site makes him out to be some nice old fart just having a simple argument with his daughter. They don't mention the suspicion of drinking."

      And when did it become against the law to drink alcohol? The guy hadn't been driving....so, what law was broken. If it was PD...they didn't charge him with it did they?

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    116. Re:Wear the yellow star by rvega · · Score: 1


      But this suit is nuts.

      I'm no lawyer, and someone should correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that unchallenged court rulings become precedents on which further decisions can be based. Looking beyond the (in)correct behavior of either party here, the question is whether the police have a right to demand identification in a situation like this. Since a lower court has ruled that they can, this becomes a precedent for future decisions, so this isolated incident in the desert affects all citizens of the US. Please focus on the issue in question, not on what you think about the personalities involved.

      And, anyway, what on earth was this cop going to do with an ID, had he been presented one? What difference could it have made?

    117. Re:Wear the yellow star by agallagh42 · · Score: 1

      Thank you. That really does make a big difference!

      --
      Carpe Cerevisi - Seize the Beer
    118. Re:Wear the yellow star by poot_rootbeer · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The fact that you had to point out the mis-moderation tells you how bad it already is.

      Look. Ask any "youth" if the Jews were persecuted and slaughtered by the Nazis, and 99 out of 100 will say they were. Ask them what the marks Jews were forced to wear on their clothing for identification, and probably less than 10 will correctly answer "yellow stars".

      It doesn't mean that the youth are being "dumbed down". It means some of the details have simply not been considered as important as the big picture by history.

      Yes, the yellow star reference in the grandparent comment was quite clever... but a little more obtuse than it could have been. That's all.

    119. Re:Wear the yellow star by Atrahasis · · Score: 1

      One of the first things the officer says to Hiibel is that they've had a report of a fight/bust-up, before he even asks for ID. That doesn't make demanding ID OK, but it means that the "had no idea there had been a report of a domestic incident" argument holds little water.

    120. Re:Wear the yellow star by ciphertext · · Score: 1

      It isn't against the law to consume alcohol. However, it is against the law to be intoxicated in a public place. The charge would've been "Public Intoxication". It is an ordinance that most jurisdictions share. It is entirely up to the officer in these situations (no warrants) as to whether they perform an arrest or not, as well as (in most cases) what you will be charged with at time of arrest.

      --
      To know is to have knowledge....to understand is to be enlightened.
    121. Re:Wear the yellow star by ciphertext · · Score: 1

      I would assume the ID would have been used to determine if this individual had any "priors" or arrest warrants outstanding. If the individual had priors and had served time for a felony, it is reasonable to assume that the officer would now know this information after the check. Depending on the prior offense, the officer would know better how to handle the situation. Has the person done time for murder, rape, manslaughter? This information could come in handy when dealing with the individual.

      --
      To know is to have knowledge....to understand is to be enlightened.
    122. Re:Wear the yellow star by mindstrm · · Score: 1

      Not a civil suit. The officer in no way needed to ask for identification, or make an issue out of not getting it, to assess the "anonymous call" he got.

      He could have lookd in, asked if everyone was alright, and moved on. The man was somwhat angry? A bit irrational? SO WHAT? That's not a crime.. many people get that way after a family argument. The vehicle was pulled over and the guy was standing outside having a smoke, cooling off.. a perfectly rational thing to do. We aren't robots.

      It's not such a stretch, and it IS a slippery slope.
      Sure, the police can't bust in at 2am and ask for papers... but the question remains.. how different is that form being able to randomly stop someone and ask for papers in public? What if I say "Hey that guy over there looks suspicious, officer"... and point to you. Should the officer be able to walk up to you and ask for your papers? How is your name relevant to whether you are doing something wrong or not?

      The man is not a saint, and not some innocent "country bumpkin".. but that's not the point, law enforcement officers necessarily need to be held to a higher standard. I should not have to be a nice, polite, straight-and-narrow do-what-the-nice-officer tells me middle class consumer to avoid getting stopped and asked for my papers.

    123. Re:Wear the yellow star by faring · · Score: 1

      What you guys need to remember is that there's a big difference between policies enacted at the National level in Nazi Germany and power exercised on the "capillary" level, to use Foucault's term, power and authority exercised beyond what is precisely legally ordaned.

      The thing is, if if the Supreme Court says Hiibel was wrong not to produce ID without being supplied a reason by the cop, "Papers Please" in effect becomes national policy.

    124. Re:Wear the yellow star by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      That's the guy who owns reflectionsoldiers.com. Nice try.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    125. Re: Wear the yellow star by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      "Sounds funny, but there was a huge amount of LAPD officers threatening latinos with deportation unless they "helped" them in their investigations, which is hardly fair on anyone."

      This doesn't sound right. If the person was here illegally...by definition...they have committed a crime, should they not be deported immediately? So, this "Special Order" keeps officers from arresting criminals guilty of illegally being in this country?

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    126. Re:Wear the yellow star by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      Well, so far as I've read into this...he may have had some drinks..but, just drinking does not mean one is intoxicated. At least, not to the point of being charged with it...

      I've heard it called PD='Public Drunkenness" or PI='Public Intoxication'...kind of like DUI = DWI, etc., depending on where you live...

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    127. Re:Wear the yellow star by Larry+David · · Score: 1

      Anti-Socialists had a black triangle

      This is a bit of a 'catch all'. Even though the Nazis claimed to be socialists, and not fascists, this could make die-hard capitalists 'anti socialist'.. and there were plenty of those in Nazi Germany.

      I do wish Jehova's Witnesses had a triangle nowadays though, it'd be a great way of avoiding opening the door to them :-)

    128. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exactly the same in the US. However, the guy that was arrested wasn't driving the vehicle and that is what's causing the problem.

    129. Re:Wear the yellow star by instarx · · Score: 1

      A "fight/bust-up"? My reading of the descriptions led me to understand that his daughter hit him on the shoulder. If that was the extent of the riot I could easily see how Mr. Hiibel might not make the connection between what had happenend and an anonymous report of domestic abuse. Given the Hiibel's knowledge of the actual events it is understandable that neither would interpret the officer's statement of a "fight" to be anything other than a shouting match. It does not logically follow that they would have any idea the officer was talking about a specific domestic abuse report.

    130. Re: Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      yes it does. It also keeps them from using coercion to bad ends.

      And local cops have no jurisdiction to enforce federal laws.

      I know its silly...but it is true.

    131. Re: Wear the yellow star by dave420-2 · · Score: 1
      However, because there's no way to know if someone's there illegally unless they give you their ID, you can't find it out by asking everyone who looks "foreign" to prove whether they're illegal or not (innocent until proven guilty, remember?). Also, seeing as the LAPD would threaten people with deportation unless they worked "with" the LAPD, they've lost their right to even ask people about it.

      If you want people to play by the rules, the police have to as well.

    132. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wish we brought this identification method back...unfortunately this time it will be the neo Nazis (Israelis and US Jews) who will be in control.

    133. Re:Wear the yellow star by mgessner · · Score: 1

      And, anyway, what on earth was this cop going to do with an ID, had he been presented one? What difference could it have made?

      Let's set aside the identities of the people involved in this case and look at the circumstances instead.

      The officer has **suspicion and probable cause** that something amiss is going on. If he can determine who the person is by looking at legal ID (granted they can be faked) and run a check on the driver's license and name, and finds out that the guy is wanted for murder, the guy can be taken off the streets. The officer protects himself and apprehends someone with a warrant out against him.

      Try to not look at it from the point of view of what we already know (or think we know) and look at it from the point of view of the cop who shows up on what he *believes to be* a domestic battery charge. Generally, domestic battery situations are highly emotionally charged and frequently more than a little dangerous for the cops. If you want a kind of lame example of this, watch Cops a few times.

      I've said it before, I'll say it again: the cop, if he thought Hiibel was drinking, should have approached Hiibel DIFFERENTLY. I agree, he screwed up. But take the screwup out of the story a bit and look at how any officer might decide he needed to protect himself a bit in a similar situation.

      And I do believe you're correct about the precedent issue.

      I revise my earlier comment about the importance of the case from the general point of view. I don't think a police officer has the right to request an identification at any old time, for no reason.

      However, I still maintain my earlier belief that in this case, the officer was justified.

      I hope the USSC uses this as an opportunity to reaffirm the Fourth Amendment while at the same time pointing out that in this particular case, no Fourth Amendment violations occurred.

      --
      "Sometimes the truth is stupid." - Lawrence, creator of Prime Intellect
    134. Re:Wear the yellow star by mgessner · · Score: 1

      Read my other follow-up comment.

      --
      "Sometimes the truth is stupid." - Lawrence, creator of Prime Intellect
    135. Re:Wear the yellow star by Tackhead · · Score: 1
      > it's, well, time ... for people to pay the fuck attention!

      No. If you ACLU-types truly believe what you're saying, then you're already dead, you just don't know it yet. It's too late for you to sell out.

      For those of us who are still neutral on the whole matter, it's not time to sell out. It's time to BUY IN!

    136. Re:Wear the yellow star by Tackhead · · Score: 1
      > What if I say "Hey that guy over there looks suspicious, officer"... and point to you. Should the officer be able to walk up to you and ask for your papers?

      If the officer agrees with your assessment (maybe it's the wrong time of day and I'm the wrong neighborhood), then yes. "Sir, I have a report of suspicious behavior. You match the description of the person in the report. Who are you? What are you doing here?"

      If I answer "None of your business", the officer's quite within his right to press the matter. "Sir, this area is frequented by people purchasing and dealing drugs. You don't look like a dealer. You're also too well-dressed and too-well spoken for it to be likely that you live here. I think you're here to purchase narcotics. Have you ever been arrested? Please show me some identification."

      If I again answer "No, I'm not, and no I haven't, and you don't need to see my identification", and the officer believes I'm lying, he's still conducting a lawful investigation: "Sir, I'm afraid I don't believe you. You're not a Jedi Knight. I do need to see your identification to confirm that you have no priors."

      I've bashed both FBI-types and ACLU types with pretty much no mercy. Now that I've re-readTFA, I think this time the ACLU-bashing is truly justified. The cop was conducting a lawful investigation.

      The fact that the Supremes even deigned to HEAR this absurd case is proof positive that you civil libertines are still well-protected from The Man.

    137. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, because we should all be following the legal precedents set by Texas...

      (Catch the sarcasm?)

    138. Re:Wear the yellow star by symbolic · · Score: 1


      I can see running away as evasion. The best scenario might be to stay with the officer for as long has he/she cares to detain you. If you're arrested for failing to produce an ID (with no probable cause for asking in the first place), I'm guessing there might be sufficient legal grounds to file a civil action.

    139. Re:Wear the yellow star by hesiod · · Score: 2, Funny

      > I'm at school and don't feel like sending my password cleartext through the networking lab

      Yes, because logging into /. is such a sensitive, personal thing that all those evil hackers are looking for.

    140. Re: Wear the yellow star by danila · · Score: 1

      A police officer is able to legally ask anything that an ordinary citizen can ask.
      Not to nitpick, but a police officer can't ask some things, like "Do you want to buy some pot?" That would be entrapment and it's illegal. :)

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    141. Re: Wear the yellow star by hesiod · · Score: 0, Troll

      > Did you even think about what you were actually laughing at, or are you too stupid/ill-informed to even know??

      I agree, as my grandfather died at a concentration camp... He fell out of a tower.

    142. Re:Wear the yellow star by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > If the individual had priors and had served time for a felony

      Unfortunately, we are "presumed innocent," so prior convictions have absolutely no bearing on this. If he had been doing something illegal, that would be a different matter.

    143. Re: Wear the yellow star by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      "And local cops have no jurisdiction to enforce federal laws."

      But, aren't they supposed to turn illegal immigrants over to the feds if they catch them? I mean, they do know this is still illegal don't they?

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    144. Re:Wear the yellow star by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > DUI = DWI

      Yeah, that definitely depends on location. Some places have both of them, where DUI has a lower BAC requirement than DWI, which is a greater offense.

    145. Re:Wear the yellow star by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > you civil libertines are still well-protected from The Man.

      Or MAYBE that's just what we're supposed to think as we are slowly becoming a POLICE STATE!!!

      See? Any decent conspiracy theorist/nutcase can run around logic like it doesn't exist.

    146. Re:Wear the yellow star by Dastardly · · Score: 1

      The problem isn't whether the officer had probable cause. The problem is that the law in question creates probable cause and a crime from the act of not speaking to an officer who thinks you might be doing something suspicious, but doe snto have probable cause. If the officer has probable cause of a crime then the person should have been arrested, charged, and tried for that crime. Not for choosing not to give information to the officer.

      I haven't watched the video. In this case given the way the defendant was acting, arrest may have been reasonable, especially since he did actually get charged with domestic battery (which he was aqcuitted or charges dropped). Which then leaves only the crime being not speaking or presenting papers to a police officer prior to arrest. Which just seems strange, i.e. once arrested you can legally not tell an officer anything, but before beign arrested you have give an officer identification. That seems a little off to me.

    147. Re:Wear the yellow star by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      You really don't know much about the judicial process do you? If you did, you'd know that the first line listed a case that was heard before and decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. It is not a legal precedent set by Texas, it's a legal precedent that told Texas, "You can't do that, you ignorant fuck."

    148. Re:Wear the yellow star by T3kno · · Score: 1

      Hrmm...I would have thought they would have given the homo's a rainbow triangle.

      --
      (B) + (D) + (B) + (D) = (K) + (&)
    149. Re:Wear the yellow star by mindstrm · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Suspicion of what? A guy being somewhere is not suspicious. Just because the war on drugs has led us to believe that any rights trampling is okay because it's related to drugs or bad neighborhoods doesn't make it okay.

      If we don't keep things so the police need a real reason to arrest you, where does it stop?

      I'm not trying to say the police shouldn't do their job, and in your situation, it sounds reasonable.. but again.

      How about "Officer, I am not here dealing drugs, I am here on private business.".

      There is NO REASON for the police to be able to detain or inhibit this person's right to be in a public place, and that includes showing identification. I do not have to prove that I am innocent by showing ID and letting him look things up before he lets me go.. otherwise, where do you draw the line?

      He doesn't need to confirm that I have no priors... that's just what they would LIKE to do. Whether or not I have been arrested before has no bearing on what my current actions are, or whether I am allowed to be in that place.

      The cop was conducting a lawful investigation, yes, but it could have easily been left alone once he saw nothing was going on. He doesn't need to "Check for priors" in order to determine nobody was having the shit beat out of them, as the complaint said.. and if there was no fight going on, and nobody was hurt, he had no business persuing it further.

    150. Re:Wear the yellow star by ciphertext · · Score: 1

      Depending on what the "legally intoxicated" BAC in your area, one can have only a few drinks and be declared legally intoxicated. You don' necessarily have to be stumbling drunk to be charged with intoxication. It was recently lowered here in my state.

      --
      To know is to have knowledge....to understand is to be enlightened.
    151. Re:Wear the yellow star by jay-oh-eee! · · Score: 1

      Agreed, but where did I write/imply such a thing?

      --
      Photo Aspect -- an open, free, J2EE & JBoss photoalbu
    152. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In the province of Quebec, the civil liberties clearly states that you do not have any obligation to even CARY identifications. Obviously if you are driving a car you must have your drivers license, but if you are walking or cycling you do not have to carry any ID.

      (This might have change in the last decade).

      When I was up there you could even VOTE without an ID, as long as you swear in front of the "voting place official" (whatever name it actually has) on your identity and place of residency (and could do jail for lying and voting).

      Even the US "land of liberty" forces it's citizen by law to at least carry around ID "just in case".

    153. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Listening to the video, I think the guy may not had any ID on him at the time "I am not the one driving why would I need ...." But the cop always cuts him, insists, and grows impatient.

      True the guy is even more impatient, but he was relaxing from a bad argument with his daughter. So bad he had to get out of the truck. When I argue with GF please don't mess with me and show patience.

      The Fourth Amendment
      The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

      An anonymous phone call is not enough to start a search. Otherwise to piss off your neighbor you just go to a payphone and say he is selling drugs!

      The cop could have asked "Any cars problems? Can I help?" to try and find out what was going on. Or ask the girl why she stopped the truck, what happened, who is that guy. If he has any reason to believe foul play, like bruises on the girl, the guy extremely nervous repeating "go away, fuck you, mind your own business", then he have probable cause and ask for papers.

      If this case is lost in court, the cops will be permitted to go on fishing expeditions by placing roadblocks and asking everyone for papers.

      In Kalifournia they say that 1/3 of the people drive around uninsured. I always thought, why not just stop people at random and ask for proof of insurance? Because fishing expeditions are illegal! You need probable cause!

    154. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It got mod'd offtopic because ObviousGuy is a troll in Karma Whore mode.

      We already know about the Nazis, thanks. Anyone who watches "COPS" will see them pointlessly confront lots of people (but we only see the ones where the folks were guilty of something). I get somewhat upset every time I see it, because I feel like they were pushing the folks around for some reason, and some seem to get charged for little or no reason (like complaining too much while being handcuffed and violently forced to the ground).

      Don't get me wrong--I support the police, but... well, I don't think they have or should have the power to push people around for no lawful reason.

    155. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      The man is not a saint, and not some innocent "country bumpkin"...
      Not innocent? Then what do you say was he guilty of?
    156. Re:Wear the yellow star by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uhh... what back seat is in the model truck he was driving???!

      You mean the truck he wasn't driving.

    157. Re:Wear the yellow star by rking · · Score: 1

      But, this should be a CIVIL case in a local court over the way the police assaulted the daughter

      Why should that be restricted to being a civil case? If we assume that the force used was unreasonable then it was a serious criminal offense (and if we assume the force used was reasonable then that's the end of it either way).

    158. Re:Wear the yellow star by rvega · · Score: 1

      If the person has done time and has paid their debt to society, they should be treated like any other citizen. No assumptions should be made about them, and the police should be prohibited from doing random background checks like this, because such checks imply that they will act on this information. Why else would they do the check?

      Whether or not the American criminal justice system returns people to society in a fit state is another question, but it is sheer hypocrisy to "rehabilitate" convicts, return them to society, and then treat them with prejudice.

      And anyway, how would knowing that someone was once convicted of rape "come in handy" at a roadside check? If the police are investigating a report of or a confirmed instance of a heinous crime, we're looking at a situation way beyond the random roadside check situation. If they have proceeded to that point, the police have a lot more discretionary power at their disposal, and with good cause. But I don't agree with giving them this power when they know absolutely nothing about the situation, as was the case in this case.

    159. Re:Wear the yellow star by rvega · · Score: 1

      Good points. I would only point out, as I believe other posters already have, that he would probably never been charged with domestic battery at all (since he hadn't done anything anyway, which the police would have learned had they kept cool and asked some pertinent questions at the scene. After this fiasco, the state had to charge him with something to save face, however ridiculous they realized their position was by that time. They couldn't simply admit that they had made a mistake.

    160. Re:Wear the yellow star by ciphertext · · Score: 1
      If the person has done time and has paid their debt to society, they should be treated like any other citizen. No assumptions should be made about them, and the police should be prohibited from doing random background checks like this, because such checks imply that they will act on this information. Why else would they do the check?

      Precisely. If you have outstanding warrants, you will be arrested. While each human is capable of violent behavior, if you have served time for a violent crime then you have demonstrated your inability to control your behavior and at the very least see violence as a means to an end. I'm not certain that this would count as a random check. If this individual was perceived to be intoxicated by law enforcement, and there existed an ordinance against public intoxication, he has opened himself up to scrutiny by such officials.

      Whether or not the American criminal justice system returns people to society in a fit state is another question, but it is sheer hypocrisy to "rehabilitate" convicts, return them to society, and then treat them with prejudice.

      I don't believe you can separate the two issues. If the populace doesn't perceive the penal system to be rehabilitory then they will, on average, treat criminals differently than non-criminals. The majority of Americans will view the prison system as punishment, not a place to be rehabilitated. If you have gone to prison for a violent crime, or any other criminal act, then you have demonstrated your propensity for poor judgement and must earn back what trust you lost. Prison is your punishment for your misdeeds. While in prison, if you reflect on your transgressions and come away with a genuine understanding of "why what you did was wrong" (rehabilitated) that is a bonus and will serve you well in your future dealings with society. I don't see the suspicion that criminals are viewed with as a "hypocrisy", rather I believe the criminals must prove that they have been rehabilitated. Same reasoning applys to employment situations. If you have been fired for being chronically late or you constantly exagerated your abilities, would it be "hypocrisy" for the potential employer to question your previous employer regarding your performance?

      And anyway, how would knowing that someone was once convicted of rape "come in handy" at a roadside check? If the police are investigating a report of or a confirmed instance of a heinous crime, we're looking at a situation way beyond the random roadside check situation. If they have proceeded to that point, the police have a lot more discretionary power at their disposal, and with good cause. But I don't agree with giving them this power when they know absolutely nothing about the situation, as was the case in this case.

      The "rape" may not be the whole list of charges. In the case of rape there are usually (but not always) additional charges of an assault of some sort included in the list of charges, as no rape is voluntary. Knowing the priors of that person not only tells you who you are dealing with, but how best to proceed. If you know that the person you stopped was charged with assault, you know to be wary of that person as they are certainly able to display such violence again. In this situation, the officer believed the individual to be "intoxicated". While being intoxicated itself isn't a crime and doesn't make you a criminal necesarily, being intoxicated AND in public is a crime and will make you a criminal in most jurisdictions (usually a misdemeanor). Such suspicions are really all that is needed for an officer to request your ID.

      --
      To know is to have knowledge....to understand is to be enlightened.
    161. Re:Wear the yellow star by ciphertext · · Score: 1
      Well, so far as I've read into this...he may have had some drinks..but, just drinking does not mean one is intoxicated. At least, not to the point of being charged with it...

      You are absolutely correct. With few exceptions (places where alcohol consumption is expressley forbidden and in the case of underage consumption) drinking alcohol is not a crime. However, if you behave in a manner that draws the ire of a police officer, you have a different problem. Really, to the point, the police officer probably won't come down on you if you are a "quiet drunk" or "non-violent" drunk and you aren't driving. Perhaps these "discretionary exceptions" on the part of police officers have caused the general populace to feel that certain "levels" of drunkeness are acceptable and thereby contribute negatively to a situation such as this. While one officer can be "lenient" and book selective, public intoxication instances, another could follow the law "to the letter" and be branded "Gestapo". Is it their fault for enforcing the law as it is written? I would think that "making exceptions" and applying the law only to a "certain group" would be unfair. I'm of the mind that for a law to be "fair" it should be applied equally to all.

      A similarly interesting situation is the speeding ticket and code enforcement revolving around those ordinances.

      Perhaps the real question in this situation is, "Was the individual behaving in a manner sufficient to garner scrutiny from the officer?". In such situations, the courts nearly always side with the officer, and with good reason.

      --
      To know is to have knowledge....to understand is to be enlightened.
    162. Re:Wear the yellow star by md27 · · Score: 1

      > How about "Officer, I am not here dealing drugs, I am here on private business.".

      Right.... because the guy standing next to you selling drugs couldn't also say this to the cop.
      If you are stopped by the police they have every right to know things about you that influence their safety. If you are wanted for killing another cop, if you often carry HIV infected needles on you, etc. To be able to reasonably protect their own safety, they have the right to determine who you are with a reasonable certainty, a certainty that goes beyond trusting the name you give them. If you have outstanding warrants etc. you can't claim that the police shouldn't know about it, you've already done something wrong, and you've now gotten caught, sorry I don't feel sorry for you. A simple fact to live your life by, "If you're not doing something wrong, you don't have to worry." Or you could listen to the guys over there with the tinfoil hats on who will try to tell you otherwise. Unless you're a cop, you have no right to tell them where the line that defines an acceptable level of their safety lies.

  2. why ? by sir_cello · · Score: 0, Interesting


    Why is this being reporting ? There's no way the Supreme Court will allow the officer to get away with this. It would create a horrible precedent: citizens would be obliged to take instruction from people they can't authenticate.

    1. Re:why ? by pavon · · Score: 1

      It would create a horrible precedent: citizens would be obliged to take instruction from people they can't authenticate.

      I think you read that backwards it was the citizen who would not show his ID to the cop, not vice versa.

    2. Re:why ? by nomadic · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The Supreme Court has over the past two decades become far more accepting of searches, thanks primarily to the court's shift to the right, and the perceived threat of the "drug epidemic".

    3. Re:why ? by TedCheshireAcad · · Score: 1

      I've been asked for ID before from a cop for no particular reason. Being afraid of being arrested if I don't comply, I hand over my ID. Some day when I don't care about having a record, I'll say "how about YOU show ME some ID, asshole?"

      In Soviet Russia.....nevermind.

    4. Re:why ? by sir_cello · · Score: 1


      Looks like I read it backwards. Still got modded up to 5 though :-). Says a lot for the quality of material and people on slashdot. It's 3am where I am, so at least I have an excuse, but you guys on the east coast in the late evening don't have much of an excuse :-).

    5. Re:why ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Consume, Conform, and Obey

      like the good citizen you are!

      Yes Big Brother, what can I do for You?

    6. Re:why ? by iminplaya · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I think you read that backwards it was the citizen who would not show his ID to the cop, not vice versa.

      Yes, but this brings up another point. If a u.s. citezen asks a cop to show id in order to verify that he/she is a legitimate policeman, shouldn't the cop have to show id? There are a few fakes out there. This brings up another question. Is there such a thing as self defense against a cop? It seems that the police have been given pretty much unlimited authority when it comes to people in their cars, judging from recent court rulings.

      --
      What?
    7. Re:why ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      There's no way the Supreme Court will allow the officer to get away with this.

      I think you dramatically underestimate Antonin Scalia. He's written some very stupid opinions.

    8. Re:why ? by jcr · · Score: 4, Insightful

      In such a situation, show him an American Bar Association membership card. Doesn't matter if it's fake, he'll generally leave you alone.

      -jcr

      --
      The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    9. Re:why ? by rcw-home · · Score: 5, Insightful
      There's nothing wrong with asking an officer to show their badge and give you their name. They'll happily share that information.

      Happily, that is, until you call them an asshole.

    10. Re:why ? by LBArrettAnderson · · Score: 1

      If a u.s. citezen asks a cop to show id in order to verify that he/she is a legitimate policeman, shouldn't the cop have to show id?

      yes, and they have to.

    11. Re:why ? by Black0ut · · Score: 1

      If somoene identifies themselves as a cop and you ask them to show id to prove it then yes they do have to provide it. With uniformed cops the badge is considered id, but you can still ask them for a picture id if you arent confident. It is this way for safety reasons and they only reason i know about it is because there was a fake cop pulling over people in Orlando and the police department recommended you ask for id.

    12. Re:why ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      How true. Rapists and murderers get out in no time with "good behaviour" but if you're smoking a bit of pot one weekend.. well hell.. you're an evildoer and must be incarcerated for your own good.

    13. Re:why ? by MntlChaos · · Score: 1

      your first sentence was still somewhat interesting. the supreme court will not let the cop get away with asking for ID for no reason.

    14. Re:why ? by AvitarX · · Score: 1

      And yay, soon he gets to decide about his hunting buddy Cheney. Because It is not nessisary for him to recuse himself.

      Buddy politics in our highest court is tonz of fun.

      --
      Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
    15. Re:why ? by cujo_1111 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Location: Australia

      When my wife was working night shift, on her way home one night an unmarked police car tried to pull her over, light on the roof with sirens going. She refused to pull over because she could not verify the car was legit.

      She kept on driving until a marked cop car turned up as well. She pulled over and they asked why she didn't stop. She said she thought they were crazy axe murderers or something like that and it was accepted. They gave her a random breath test and went on their way.

      They weren't happy about having to bring in a marked car, but if you cannot verify the identity of the person trying to pull you over, you have every right not to stop.

      --
      If I point out that you are incorrect, making me a foe does not make you any more correct.
    16. Re:why ? by probbka · · Score: 1

      Um, are there still states where you can be incarcerated for cannabis possession? I thought it was a misdemeanor pretty much nation-wide now.

      --
      Only requirement for good karma: be pedantic as much and as often as possible.
    17. Re:why ? by CharlieG · · Score: 5, Interesting

      And asking a cop for his badge number is a GOOD way to find yourself with the stainless bracelets on. Even obviously LOOKING at his badge number if he's in a bad mood.

      About the ONLY time you get them to give it willingly is when they have just HELPED you, and you've said thank you, and tell them you'd like to write a thank you letter for their files

      BTW - if you local PD has citizens councel, show up, be polite, listen, and say hello. Aka, become known to the cops as "a good guy". Like it or not, once your local beat cops get to know you, you have less hassles - you don't get the evil eye. You get a nod. Just human nature - it's not supposed to play a role, but it DOES

      Other things, if you don't feel like doing that? Join you local community board, or SOME social organization. The guys who run the charity parade, etc. The cops get to know these people - so do the local business men, and the local pols. THEN when you call you local Pol with a position on some bill, your not just "Joe Schmoe", your "Jim on the Parade committee"

      --
      -- 73 de KG2V For the Children - RKBA! "You are what you do when it counts" - the Masso
    18. Re:why ? by bluGill · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Oh really? I;m going to have to start asking for badge IDs as a matter of course. False arrest and harrassment charges are rather easy for a good lawyer to win. Cops may not like it, but they must give you those IDs when you ask.

      IF the cop is less than polite make sure you get that id and file a complaint. Psychology studies have shown that cops are in a position of power that is very easy to abuse, you need to remind them that you are watching.

    19. Re:why ? by CharlieG · · Score: 1

      Trust me, they find something. At least around here, they get away with it. Heck, this is NYC. I've found (over 40+ years) the BEST way to deal with them is
      1)Try to have as little to do with them as possible
      2)Be polite when you do have to deal with them
      3)Get to know them, and let them get to know you, in polite, friendly situations

      Like it or not, they can make your life miserable. I don't LIKE it, but I deal with it

      --
      -- 73 de KG2V For the Children - RKBA! "You are what you do when it counts" - the Masso
    20. Re:why ? by alcourt · · Score: 1

      I've seen someone threatened with arrest for asking for the badge number of a police officer. Just because most good officers have no qualms providing badge number/ID to prove their identity doesn't mean that others won't respond with threats.

      --
      "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend unto the death your right to say it." -- Voltaire
    21. Re:why ? by flacco · · Score: 1
      Happily, that is, until you call them an asshole.

      they're used to that. if you really want to piss them off, do what i do: call them "cupcake".

      --
      pr0n - keeping monitor glass spotless since 1981.
    22. Re:why ? by enjo13 · · Score: 4, Informative

      I have been pulled over/stopped by police 26 times (the vast majority before I was 18 in Arkansas which has a teen curfew, so I probably deserved it.)

      In each of those cases I ALWAYS asked for (and received) identification and badge numbers from the police officers involved. It's only affected me in a positive way. When you ask for bade numbers and identification you are basically letting the police officer know 'I know your limits, and I'm going to hold you accountable.'

      I've known several police officers in a social sense, and I've discussed this with all of them. They all, to a man (and one woman), have the same response. They don't begrudge a citizen looking out for themeselves, and asking for ID has the affect of raising THEIR awareness that they need to be careful.

      The exception to this however is when people use bade requests as a delaying tactic or a method of not answering questions. As with most things in life, you need to know the right TIME to ask for this information.

      --
      Turn s60 photos into awesome videos with mScrapbook for all S60 3rd edition phones!
    23. Re:why ? by kid-noodle · · Score: 1

      They do in the UK.. My local police don't like me, I always ask for their badge number and call the police station to check they're legit before I'll talk to them...

      They also don't like me because I filed a complaint about them crawling me on my own street after I'd gone over to the car and shown them ID, proving I lived there...

      --
      fortune -o
    24. Re:why ? by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 1

      you're "Jim on the Parade committee"

      "Tyrone on the Parade committee" just didn't sound as good, did it? (It's nice to think that "Barabara on the Parade committee" would probably work, but unfortunately "Taneesha on the Parade committee" still won't.)

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    25. Re:why ? by phuzzy3d · · Score: 1

      Why the hell should I waste my valueable time to goto some PD citizen counced to kiss arse. Just so when the local bacon is rummaging through my neighborhood he looks the other way as he comes to me. This totally defeats the ability for police officer to be impartial. Don't get me wrong it doesn't hurt to have a few good karma points when doughnut face is lurking around the corner.

    26. Re:why ? by Tiro · · Score: 2, Informative
      Well, thanks for generalizing but there are lots of counterexamples too.

      A couple of publicized cases have come down in the last couple years. One said police who find drugs by squeezing soft luggage on busses or trains cannot open the bags. One said infrared on houses for pot lights is an illegal search. So its really a case by case basis thing.

      However one thing you must realize is that bad searches happen all the time, because local jurisdictions [captains, the public, DAs] want drug criminals prosecuted because it scores points with the soccer moms.

      What they do is perform an illegal search on an ignorant person they suspect, but have no probable cause for. They sometimes find something, and then lie about their rational when they have to justify themselves in court: Your honor, I was talking to this gentleman on the street when the bag just fell out of his pocket .

      This doesn't fly in federal courts--judges there will tell you to fuck off, and don't show your face in here again--but state judges buy it because they aren't so removed from the democratic process. The problem is that there are too many incentives in the system for everyone involved to get more prosecutions.

    27. Re:why ? by CharlieG · · Score: 1

      Well,
      If you pick the RIGHT thing to volunteer for, you'll get Karma points for more than the local Police officer!

      That parade? It might be the one for MS, or MD, or the JDRF, or Breast Cancer, or "Make a wish" - and your helping out a bunch of sick people who could use the help. Maybe it make YOU feel good about yourself, and you get your cop karma - hey' REAL karma, and cop karma in one

      Think about it....

      as someone once said "The world is run by people who show up"

      --
      -- 73 de KG2V For the Children - RKBA! "You are what you do when it counts" - the Masso
    28. Re:why ? by Delphiki · · Score: 1

      If the court has shifted to the right, care to explain to me Gratz v. Bollinger or Lawrence v. Texas? Those would be the two most recent decisions of great significance I would think, and neither can be construed as being to the right. You shouldn't over simplify like that.

      --

      Feel free to mod me "-1 - Angry Jerk".

    29. Re:why ? by Chagrin · · Score: 1

      Do you have a duplicable image? Google is coming up empty.

      --

      I/O Error G-17: Aborting Installation

    30. Re:why ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Give me a break. I've been a cop for 9 years, and nothing seems to give an idiot more pleasure than asking for my badge number. I think they must get it from the movies or something. Thing is, it doesn't bother me. I usually insist on writing it down on my business card and giving it to them so that they don't get it wrong. I know I've done nothing wrong, so I've got nothing to hide.

      FWIW, this Hiibel guy is a jerk. He got himself arrested for nothing. What was he trying to prove- how macho he is? If you've done nothing wrong, give the cop your ID and go on your merry way.

    31. Re:why ? by CharlieG · · Score: 1

      about 50% of the time, that's the response - 50% of the time, you have guys who don't want you questioning anything they do. I've noticed that in certain jurisdictions, the POs are OK to deal with, in some, the POs are a PITA - jeck, here in the city it seems to vary shift by shift, Precinct by Precinct

      Joke is? I've _NEVER_ been arrested, _NEVER_ gotten MORE than a parking ticket. I HAVE gotten a shit load of attitude when I was younger. I ASSUME that part of the problem is that I owned a home 4 block of a "Hopping bar strip". I was usually one of the folks CALLING the cops, but if I was walking home from the train, on a Friday night, the cops all seemed to assume that ANYONE walking along the street was looking for trouble/drunk.

      Like I said, human nature. They probably HAD been dealing with drunks all might

      I can remember on incident where I got stopped - my wife (she is also a geek) and I were discussing real time programming while walking home for dinner. I was emphasising the clock pulses by slapin one hand into the other - something like "(slap) And then you gotta do X,(slap) then you gotta do Y, (slap) Then Z"

      Well, we got stopped, and the cop was giving me a HARD time - he thought I was threating my wife. She assured him I was not, and explained the converstion. When I asked for his badge number (because he had used foul language when stopping me - I don't LIKE getting cursed at by a cop), I ended up, shall I say, detained, while he ran a full check on me - took about 30 minutes - and no, he never gave me his badge number. I was eventually free to go, with some threats about "Next time he wouldn't be so nice"

      Maybe it's just one or 2 bad apples, but man, they do spoil it for the bunch - lets face it. Run into one or 2 cops like that, and your trust level goes WAY down

      Well, over the years, I started doing Vol work (NOT to meet the cops, just because I want to). I found that once they get to know YOU, you get treated a lot more like a human, and you get a LOT less of the "Cop attitude" - which has been well documented. You know, the one where the world is divided into 2 classes, cops, and perps. Those that aren't cops are ASSUMED to be perps that they just haven't caught YET

      --
      -- 73 de KG2V For the Children - RKBA! "You are what you do when it counts" - the Masso
    32. Re:why ? by nomadic · · Score: 1

      So its really a case by case basis thing.

      The cases have been IN GENERAL moving towards more tolerance for police searches. Kyllo (the infrared case) was surprising, especially considering that Scalia wrote the majority, but it's an anomaly.

      However one thing you must realize is that bad searches happen all the time, because local jurisdictions [captains, the public, DAs] want drug criminals prosecuted because it scores points with the soccer moms.

      And the SC is a lot more tolerant these days then they used to be. It used to be you needed a warrant unless there were exigent circumstances. Then it became you just needed probable cause. THEN it became that the cop just needed to THINK they had probable cause.

      This doesn't fly in federal courts--judges there will tell you to fuck off, and don't show your face in here again--but state judges buy it because they aren't so removed from the democratic process. The problem is that there are too many incentives in the system for everyone involved to get more prosecutions.

      Federal courts are far more lax about enforcing 4th amendment protections these days. In fact, in a lot of cases you might have better luck in state courts, especially since some state constitutions have stronger 4th amendment-style protections than the federal one.

    33. Re:why ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      he's spoken favorably of creationism, and
      against evolution.

    34. Re:why ? by martyros · · Score: 1
      This is OT, but my aunt was a corporate lawyer for a large company many years ago, and she still has business cards made by that company for her. If she's dealing with someone that she thinks is screwing with her (a mechanic, or a store owner or someone), she'll pull out one of those cards, write her # on the back and say, "Alright, I have to go; but here's my number, give me a call."

      That usually changes their tune pretty quick.

      --

      TCP: Why the Internet is full of SYN.

    35. Re:why ? by Tiro · · Score: 1

      On your last point, my limited evidence leads me to disagree. Probably state and federal courts are becoming more lax but state and municipal judges are a lot more likely to accept fabrications from cops than federal judges.

  3. Wow by cptgrudge · · Score: 3, Funny
    The first thing that ran through my head while reading the summary was a Nazi German saying, "Your papers, please."

    Imagine my surprise when the site of the article is papersplease.org.

    --
    Qualitas edurus commercium, nullus penitus net rimor, nullus deus beneficium
    1. Re:Wow by alan_dershowitz · · Score: 5, Funny

      I found the site contents somewhat ironic:

      Forbidden
      You don't have permission to access / on this server.

    2. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      YM "Ihre Papieren, bitte."

    3. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But aren't those "papers" like "travel papers"? As in, you need permission to travel from town to town. I don't think an ID counts as the same thing.

    4. Re:Wow by Frymaster · · Score: 1
      in fact the whole site is gone. i pulled up the google cache and then started plumbing links.

      all gone.

      hm. where did i put that tinfoil yarmulka?

    5. Re:Wow by teklob · · Score: 3, Funny

      These aren't the Jews you're looking for. *waves hand*

    6. Re:Wow by Anonymovs+Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      That should have been:
      You don't have permission to access this server from /.

    7. Re:Wow by Desprez · · Score: 1

      The site worked for me. It's just a little slow. Everything works including the video. Put away the tinfoil and try it again.

    8. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Zee Germans vould not say "please" in zis situation.

  4. Silly me, and I thought... by Kjella · · Score: 4, Funny

    'investigating an investigation.'

    ...it was Internal Affairs that "investigated investigations". Oh well...

    Kjella

    --
    Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    1. Re:Silly me, and I thought... by Bingo+Foo · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yeah, he should have told the officer that that sounded like a conflict of interest. Then he would have been let go for sure.

      --
      taken! (by Davidleeroth) Thanks Bingo Foo!
    2. Re:Silly me, and I thought... by poot_rootbeer · · Score: 1

      I thought...it was Internal Affairs that "investigated investigations".

      You can be sure that now this story is out, IA will investigate the way he investigated the investigation.

      The system works!

  5. Laws by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What is wrong in america are the open ended laws that allow people in authority to decide what is illegal or not. For example, the supreme court ruled that constitutional rights do not stop at school, yet there are still dresscodes at public schools. You could delay a cop by talking to them.
    -Stu

  6. Re:What is there to hide? by Borealis · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you're a cop, why harass somebody for no good reason? There's no reason to abuse your authority by forcing somebody to give you id if there's no real reason to investigate them.

    --
    Unbreakable toys can be used to break other toys.
  7. Re:What is there to hide? by tsunamifirestorm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    just because the innocent have nothing to hide, means that there is no reason for giving up our rights of privacy.

  8. Welcome to the Police State by madMingusMax · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Produce your papers, comrade.
    Always carry your papers, comrade.
    Do not question us, comrade; that, of course, is our job.

    Did I just wake up in 1950s Communist Russia?

    I quote Michael Moore: "Dude, where the hell did my country go?!?!"

    --
    Don't be a zoa (zealous overbearing ass), be happy!
    1. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Ugh, and you pick Michael Moore to quote?
      How easy will it be to force people to do things against their will when we have no guns to defend ourselves?
      but, of course, that can't happen here, right?

    2. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      Watch his documentary again. It wasn't about getting rid of guns. It was about America's love affair with guns and high crime levels. You'll note that he pointed out that the number of guns was greater per capita in Canada which paradoxically also has a much lower crime rate per capita (doesn't everyone?) than the U.S.

    3. Re:Welcome to the Police State by djmurdoch · · Score: 5, Insightful

      How easy will it be to force people to do things against their will when we have no guns to defend ourselves?

      You think if Hiibel had defended his rights with a gun he'd still be alive?

    4. Re:Welcome to the Police State by twoallbeefpatties · · Score: 1, Funny

      In Soviet Russia, the ID carries you?

      --
      Libertarians somehow believe that private businesses should be stronger than governments but weaker than individuals.
    5. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      ...

      The second amendment is supposedly there to keep 'the people' armed in case 'the people' need to overthrow a bunch of tyrants. It's one of those check/balance things they talk about, except it's supposed to happen on a populous scale.

      Police officers are part of the government, an accepted part of society, as well as the courts. The fact that this is being fought, except with words and lawyers, shows that the government, the systems in place within it, all are still grinding along. More of those checks and balances.

      Were these checks and balances ultimately to fail 'the people' then that populous scale of check/balance is supposed to happen. The second amendment isn't about shooting cops, it's about preparedness. At least, that's how the writers of the US Constitution saw it. It was a different world then.

    6. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Endive4Ever · · Score: 1

      You're thinking 1930's Communist Russia. That era when American Journalists would junket in Russia on the Soviet's tab and write glowing reviews and 'no problem seen here' columns in US Newspapers.

      Meanwhile whole classes of people were exterminated systematically.

      --
      ---
    7. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      Oh stop with the histrionics. What happened was a violation but it really isn't Nazi Germany here yet. Slashdrones are so silly.

    8. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And today we have Fox News. Nothing ever changes...

    9. Re:Welcome to the Police State by fermion · · Score: 4, Insightful
      This really reminds more of feudalism and the kind of society that exists in some third world country, especially in the Americas. We have been sliding down this slope for a while. Fortified castles in the form of gated and guarded communities. People driving around in military and pseudo-military vehicles. People fear being in certain neighborhoods because, even though the roads are theoretically public, the police are owned by those with money.

      This has always been true to some extent in the US. It has always been the case that some people were considered better. It has always been the case that if you did not have the proper skin color or proper style or proper accessories, you were subject to police harassment. The scary thing now is that we are reaching a point in which a very few people, those with money and power, are exempted from government abuse. The rest of us are not. The police can no longer look at you and decide if you are protected. The officer must now know your name.

      Which is to say, these laws are no ones fault but our own. We are really a democracy. All of us who live in the US are responsible for our country's actions and decisions. We all must willing make the sacrifices necessary to bear or change the policies. We are in fact not a dictorship in which we can be forced to comply, no matter how much our president has stacked the appellate courts in that direction.

      --
      "She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
    10. Re:Welcome to the Police State by nomadic · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      The second amendment isn't about shooting cops, it's about preparedness. At least, that's how the writers of the US Constitution saw it. It was a different world then.

      Actually there's been a debate for decades over what they meant. The most persuasive argument imho is that it was a provision that allowed the states to maintain their militias. It was probably not meant to guarantee individual gun ownership rights.

    11. Re:Welcome to the Police State by iminplaya · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Nazi Germany wasn't Nazi Germany until it became Nazi Germany, either. I understand that the u.s. isn't Nazi Germany... simply because it's not in Germany.

      --
      What?
    12. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The text of the second amendment is as follows "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

      And for the sake of comparison here is the text of the 10th amendment: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

      Its pretty clear here that the framers of the constitution realize that people and states are two different things, and that when they say states, them mean states, and when they say "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." they mean that the rights of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed!

      Chris

    13. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      Oh please, grow up. There are about a million of you fools on slashdot and you sing in the same shrill chorus. It's past your bedtime.

    14. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Are you honestly suggesting we should wait until after our rights are gone to get worried?

    15. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 0

      Shrill hysterical prepubescent rantings only make your case harder to make. So grow a brain and stop screaming Nazi Germany every 2 seconds. Then maybe someone in government will actually take slashdot seriously.

      Bwahahaha, yeah right.

    16. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      The REASON it is there is because the british showed up to put down the 'rebels'. They showed up with cannon and guns. Most people were willing to let it be. Till the goverment of the time started showing up at their door and demanding all sorts of things from them. Its almost a check list for the first 10 of what they were demanding.

      The 2nd basicly is the 'teeth' of the constitution. Do like we like it, we have GUNS. It was basicly a bunch of religious zelots with guns who came up with the thing. Think about it from their perspective. There is no such thing as a rpg, or a machine pistol, or mortor, or kevlar armor. Most people will have breach loaded rifles. Some dude shows up and demands to riffle through your house to 'investigate'. You have a big ol gun. First one through the door gets it. The goverment of the time would have a hard time finding anyone that would want to go first. There is also no 'mega' hospital for the guy to get treated. It would have been a fatal shot. Also keep in mind these red coat loonies showed up and wanted the guns. Thats how I feed my family, like HELL im giving it up. That is their perspective. From our perspective we would show up surround the house with 10 cops and a swat team and wait em out. It would be on the news for prime time entertainment. Thats our perspective.

      Also the word milita has changed. But then it meant basicly everyone in the area registered that they had a gun. That way you could create an army. Standing army? You nuts how do you feed a standing army? What about their families? What about shelter? Where do I put these guys? The army WAS the milita. The milita was everyone around you. That is why you can own a gun. You need to be able to 'come to arms' if needed. But now we have a standing army. The clause is still there. By LAW you must allow people to join. And pretty much the only requirement is you own a gun. But if you can not get guns you can not join. Then by law you are not allowing a militia...

      As for the web site basicly the cop screwed up. He did not follow procedure. Him and his partner should have seperated the one dude from the girl while the other guy checks out the girl. Instead he argued about what form of ID the guy had. He should be lucky if he still has a job. Remeber this was pre 9-11 too. It was a cop who was bored found out about a 'disturbance' and went out to mix it up. He screwed up. Now the other dude who refused his ID was well within his rights to do so. However both acted like ass's.

      The thing is this has been going on for nearly 3 years and its the first I have heard of it. If it had been a 'racial' thing we ALL would have heard about it back in 2000. Instead it was just some 'red neck' and that doesnt get good ratings.

    17. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Michael Moore with a pen and a movie camera does more for public conscience and freedom than the NRA. He's simply more of a threat to over-reaching authority as well.

    18. Re:Welcome to the Police State by VFVTHUNTER · · Score: 0, Troll

      Wow. Our country IS going down the shitter: people are quoting Michael Moore.

      "Why should I have ID?"

      I dunno, Jethro, maybe because you just admitted you were operating a motor vehicle?

      Having been present at a great many arrests of this sort (I'm a paramedic), I can tell you - this guy asked to be arrested not because he believes in the Constitution, but because he wanted to inflict emotional trauma on the woman by getting himself arrested. Notice how it worked - as soon as the cuffs went on, she started crying. Her reactions are pretty standard for the early stages of battered woman syndrome, and Jethro obviously has had some experience manipulating women's emotions.

      For the record: There's no 4th amendment violation here: They didn't ask to search him, they simply asked for ID. If dumbass had ponied up his license they wouldn't have found the knife. Like I said, he was too busy manipulating the woman.

      You're not in Russia, but you DO remind me of a bumper sticker from the 60's. America: Love it or leave it. Better you get out now, before they require ID just to leave the country.

    19. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      America: Love it or leave it. Better you get out now, before they require ID just to leave the country.

      It seems that in your opinion it is unamerican to stand up for your rights. The man asked why the officer wanted to see his ID. This is a valid statement at that point. It is the officers obligation, in the absense of criminal activity, to state clearly the reasons for his request. His response was improper, and 'Jethro' as you so condescendingly refer to him, was completely within his rights to refuse.

      Love America, yes, but don't bend over and let the 'authorities' butt fsck you.

    20. Re:Welcome to the Police State by trg83 · · Score: 1

      Then maybe someone in government will actually take slashdot seriously. You're the one who needs to grow a brain. You're deluded if you think the government actually gives a shit about Slashdot. SCO or Microsoft lawyers? Maybe. The U.S. government? No way.

    21. Re:Welcome to the Police State by bonkedproducer · · Score: 1

      UHHH ok - daughter is dating scum bag thug life wannabe (sorry I live in TN I see this sort of redneck drama everytime I go out for soda) Dad says that it's a bad idea - daughter throws a hissy, hits dad (WHILE DRIVING!), he remains calm tells her to pull over (probably to keep her from running into a ditch and needing the services of folks like you) exits the vehicle, and smoke a cig while discussing the issue further.

      Yep, you're right dumbass - sounds like she is a typical battered woman here. RTFA - oh and last I checked it's still legal to carry a pocket knife (he wasn't charged with carrying a weapon.) Look, I don't dip skoal, I don't wear tight fittin' jeans, or cowboy hats, but calling him jethro based on his choice of clothes and accent, and then implying that he beats women is going a bit far.

      --
      Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society - M. Twain
    22. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the state malitias were defined by any abled bodied male between bal bla bal ages...

      the term militia was to distinguish between state, government funded military wich is what the present day militia is.

      the fear here is that any well planted spy or whatever you would call them, would use the openness of the governmet and electorial process. then they could infiltrate the governmet, either as one of the powers to be or in a way to convince (influence)the powers to be to decrease funding to the militaries in an effort to weeken the defense of the nation thus allowing the enemy to walk in and take over.

      with ever able citizen making up the reserve militias wihout depending upon funding from state and governmental sources this become less of threat.

      the state militias were basical institutionalized after the civil war and became somewhat of a regular government entity. if it was only ment to be for the state run militias then there would have been a big push to make it a crime to own any kind of weapon after that.

      this may be unneccesary in todays age were we have no-one trying to defund the military at all. even the democrates.. well maybe not.

    23. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sorry, but when Michael Moore made "Bowling for Columbine" he was making a point that the American culture tends to be more violent and untrusting of one another in general compared to almost anywhere else in the world. Just because this director throws something in to light with a spin that most don't want to see doesn't mean that he didn't make a good point.

      Oh, by the way, my sister's best friend stood on a toilet for an hour in a bathroom during a violent incident at a Colorado high school school a couple years back... and I also come from an NRA-member family... ...and I still like what Mr. Moore has to say. He's not an idiot. America's fundamental culture is screwed up.

    24. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · · Score: 1

      All of those things that you say have always been true "to some extent" throughout the world. The U.S. is not especially different in that respect. Try dressing/talking/acting like a Castilan nationalist in the proper region of Spain and see what kind of civil rights you have.

      The cop handled the situation wrong. He should be shovelling fries now. That doesn't warrant another attempt to villanize the entire US system. The case is going before the Supreme Court. That mechanism is there precisely to prevent the sorts of abuses that some people in this thread think are happening.

      Wait until the court pronounces its judgement before you cry Fascism.

      --
      "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
    25. Re:Welcome to the Police State by t0ny · · Score: 1
      Thats bullshit. The guy's wife/daughter called the police, and the officer was investigating a domestic disturbance. *We* pay these people to do that, you know?

      Read the transcript. The officer asks nicely way more times than I would have. If the guy didnt want to show ID, I would arrest him for suspicion of battery. Furthermore, what if this guy had been wanted in another state for rape/murder/whatever? Headline- Police Let Killer Go.

      Producing your ID or telling the officer who you are isnt such a big deal, if you have nothing to hide. You have a right to life, liberty, etc etc, but not to anonymity.

      --

      Manipulate the moderator system! Mod someone as "overrated" today.

    26. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 1

      Shrill hysterical prepubescent rantings only make your case harder to make. So grow a brain and stop screaming Nazi Germany every 2 seconds. Then maybe someone in government will actually take slashdot seriously.

      I never mentioned Nazi Germany (Godwin's Law, and all that).

      By the way, exactly what is it about jumping to the conclusion that all people concerned about their rights are brainless and shrill that will make someone in government take slashdot seriously?

    27. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 1
      The most persuasive argument imho is that it was a provision that allowed the states to maintain their militias. It was probably not meant to guarantee individual gun ownership rights.

      A militia means an armed citizen body. Even here in Maryland, one of the worst states when it comes to recognizing the right to keep and bear arms, the law is clear that every able-bodied male in a certain age range, is the militia.

      You don't have a militia without individual gun ownership.

      "..the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." I think the framers were smart enough to be able to say "the right of the states..." if that's what they meant. Don't you? Or does the "right of the people peaceably to assemble" mean that only representatives of the States can get together to petition the federal government?

      The fact that an important reason for this is that a "well regulated militia" - a body of trained armed citizens - is "necessary to the security of a free state", doesn't change that.

      "X being necessary to Y, Z" is not a form that puts limitations on Z - it's a form that explains why Z is important. "A well educated electorate being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and read books shall not be infringed."

      --
      Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
      You cannot wash away blood with blood
    28. Re:Welcome to the Police State by david_reese · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Which is to say, these laws are no ones fault but our own. We are really a democracy. All of us who live in the US are responsible for our country's actions and decisions.

      I would totally agree for you except for Diebold and their un-auditable machines. Guess what, now even if you do vote, your vote might just be invalidated or part of a massive miscount.

      Oh well, maybe I should just vote absentee ballot? Oh, did we have problems with those, too??

      We're fucked.

    29. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 2, Funny

      You have a right to life, liberty, etc etc, but not to anonymity.

      In that case, I can't see any objection to our President deploying troops to the polling stations to guarantee that democracy doesn't fall to terrorists:

      A large man in military fatigues and a loaded rifle will check your ID, to make sure you're permitted to vote at this location, aren't trying to vote twice, etc. A second soldier will escort you into the booth, and stand guard over you as you fill out your ballot. He'll go over your selections with you, to ensure you didn't make any mistakes; we can't have another Florida-style fiasco, can we?

    30. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Viggo+Fait · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Did you even watch the video? Read the transcript? The daughter didn't call the police. He got a report of a domestic disturbance from someone who saw them. *She* actually punched him!

      You could arrest him for suspicion of whatever you want, but if you don't have probable cause of a crime, it would be thrown out. It also doesn't matter if this guy *is* a whatever. He doesn't have to identify himself. That's the nice thing about the Constitution. We have the right to talk and the right to shut up. We can use either right any time we want! Unless they have a warrant or probable cause, you really don't have to comply with any of their requests.

      You are right on one thing Tony. Giving your ID isn't a big deal until you don't want to. If the police want to do something they don't have a specific right to do, it would be my advice not to allow them to do it. Things snowball real quick. Maybe you haven't done anything illegal. Maybe they'll find something that can be interpreted that it is. And you let them have it because, it's no big deal. You have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. You also have the right to be a *private* citizen. Private is much the same as *anonymity*, no?

      BTW, if he was a rapist/murderer/whatever and this gets thrown out of court, I'm pretty sure they can't hold him. "Fruit of the poison tree". He was obtained illegaly. People have gotten away with worse stuff for stupider reasons though.

    31. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Thank you very much!

      I've been reading all the posts, and not a one has mentioned the blatently obvious: this asshat is a terrible cop.

      There are at least a dozen different ways he could have responded to the "prevarications" of the dad, there are also at least a dozen different ways he could have defused the situation. Seems to me that the higher ups are so proud of how politely he cuffed the man and his daughter, that he didn't resort to the "barbarity" of taticks that a "walk tall" sheriff would, that they're blinded to the fact that the situation would have been easily defused if the officer was halfway compitent.

      Was the man a menace? Despite all his agitation, he never flouted any of deputy dummy's orders, and he complied with every command succintly. Most officers would pray for that kind of arrest.

      What you see here is a complete failure of policework, nothing more, nothing less.

      I have not a few friends who are police, and they'd be ashamed to be associated with the moron in charge here.

    32. Re:Welcome to the Police State by instarx · · Score: 2, Informative

      Oh stop with the histrionics. What happened was a violation but it really isn't Nazi Germany here yet. Slashdrones are so silly.

      -Detention of citizens without trial or recourse to courts or lawyers
      -Detention of citizens without charge for unlimited time
      -Secret detentions (the US now has its own "disappeards")
      -Declaring people "enemy combatants" and allowing them neither Constitutional protections NOR rights as prisoners of war.
      -Torture of enemy combatants (as defined by international law)
      -Local police undercover agents infiltrating lawful political opposition groups under the auspices of the Joint Terrorism Task Force
      -The ruling party seriously suggesting that the Constitution might need to be suspended after 9/11

      No, it isn't "really" Nazi Germany, but it is getting far too close for my comfort.

    33. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      Okay, it always boggles my mind that people don't stop to consider what the point of the Bill of Rights was: to specifically enumerate areas where the government may not intrude, to protect specific rights from abuses by those in power.

      If you want a good context for what the Bill of Rights was designed to do, read the fucking 3rd Amendment.

    34. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Linus+Sixpack · · Score: 1

      I agree. I was actually impressed with how civil the guy was. I wonder if he knew if he was on tape. The Cop sure did.

    35. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      Damn Commies!

      You're un-American if you believe that those terrorists have rights!

      They deserve to be tortured, just look at them and where they come from!

      Don't you realize that they want to destroy our way of life?

      They hate us because we're free to tow the party line!

      If you don't agree, you must be one of those damn towel-head sympathizers! Enemy combatant!

      Comrades, take him away!

      All your rights are belong to us!
      --------------------
      The terrorists haven't destroyed our way of life and never had the power to. They just gave those in power an excuse to finish destroying our way of life and national heritage.

      Think Kerry will be any different than Bush? Just remember that they're both avowed and dedicated Bonesmen. They are no different on the inside, they just attempt to give the illusion of being different on the outside.

    36. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      If the guy didnt want to show ID, I would arrest him for suspicion of battery.

      Then I hope to Hell that you never attain a position of power, because you're advocating an abuse of it. Arrest someone for suspicion of a specific crime on the grounds that they won't tell you who they are? If you have evidence or even suspicion, you don't need to know who they are to charge them.

      Furthermore, what if this guy had been wanted in another state for rape/murder/whatever?

      Apparently you've never read the 5th amendment. You don't have to incriminate yourself. You have no duty to produce evidence that the police can use to link you to a crime. Saying otherwise could mean many things, but none of them say anything positive about your character or subject-matter knowledge.

      if you have nothing to hide

      This is the last ditch rationale of those whose arguments cannot stand on their own merits. Maybe he DOES have something to hide. Maybe he thinks the cop is being a dick, and doesn't wish to help him do his job. Oh, and maybe try reading the 9th and 10th amendments if you think there's no right to anonymity. The government is not given the power to regulate anonymity or privacy anywhere in the Constitution, and thus that is a right retained by the people (or the States, for those whose constitutions are written to include regulatory power over aforementioned issues).

      All the more reason to not carry a government-issued ID unless absolutely necessary. They cannot force you to produce what you do not have.

    37. Re:Welcome to the Police State by instarx · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The terrorists haven't destroyed our way of life and never had the power to. They just gave those in power an excuse to finish destroying our way of life and national heritage.

      That's 100% true.

      Think Kerry will be any different than Bush? Just remember that they're both avowed and dedicated Bonesmen. They are no different on the inside, they just attempt to give the illusion of being different on the outside.

      I'm suspicious about Kerry's insider status (he turned populist just a little bit too fast for me), but in the end I think he *would* be different than Bush. No politician in the history of the country has been more aggressive than G.W. Bush in cancelling the rights of Americans. Simultaneously turning the U.S. into the most hated country on the planet was just an added bonus.

      When the Roman Emperor Caligula was finally deposed, the Praeatorian Guards installed a horse on the throne of Rome as a clear statement that nothing could be worse than Caligula. After four years of George W. Bush I understand exactly how they felt. Kerry or Edwards (or the horses they rode in on) - it doesn't matter to me.

    38. Re:Welcome to the Police State by cocotoni · · Score: 1

      You have just voiced my concerns over the next November elections. As the things slide, I am more and more assured that end of October thre will be some sort of "national emergency", then by elections it will be decided that election booths are a prime "soft" target, leading to military deployments across the States... An armed soldier by every booth...

      Then, you will know how elections in Iraq, USSR or Romania used to look like.

    39. Re:Welcome to the Police State by orzetto · · Score: 1

      This is quite strange to say the least. I mean, this attitude of certain Americans that believe that cops can't even ask ID of someone.

      I'm an Italian living in Norway, and I've been to a few places around; here in Europe it's obvious that you're going to provide your ID if you're asked, and the only good reason not to do so is that you have something nasty to hide. How are cops supposed to catch criminals if they can't even check their papers?

      In Italy, a prominent mafia boss, Madonia, was caught this way: a policeman asked for his ID, he provided it, and since it was obviously faked the policeman had just to say "Mr. Madonia, please...". They could not simply arrest him straight away since they had no recent pictures of him, and could not be totally sure it was him.

      It's quite weird that this paranoia is fount in the country of LAPD and Guantanamo bay, where way more serious violation of rights happened and happen still.

      --
      Victims of 9/11: <3000. Traffic in the US: >30,000/y
    40. Re:Welcome to the Police State by dave420-2 · · Score: 1

      You say guns make a difference... Poland/France/Most of europe had armies, navies and air forces, and the Nazis still rolled on in there. Guns are one thing, but an army is another. If you think some accountants with handguns are going to be the last bastion of freedom and democracy in the US, you're going to be in for a nasty shock once Herr Bush rolls down Main Street on the back of an Abrams. They'll be the ones doing more harm than good. If a government wants to turn on a people, they will. Only another government can stop it.

    41. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Endive4Ever · · Score: 1

      Fox News is widely decried as propaganda.

      There are still people who revere and honor journalists like John Reed who covered up genocide and atrocities in the Soviet Union. There are still publications like The Nation that maintain the Big Lie as truth.

      --
      ---
    42. Re:Welcome to the Police State by nomadic · · Score: 1

      However, if you look at the records surrounding the Constitutional convention, you find that the phrase "bear Arms" was never used except in referring to militia activities. There is substantial scholarship showing that the phrase "bear Arms" means in an organized military sense rather than as an individual ownership right.

      You don't have a militia without individual gun ownership.

      Only you most definitely do. The National Guard are militias. The M-16s stay on the base when the individuals go home.

      "X being necessary to Y, Z" is not a form that puts limitations on Z - it's a form that explains why Z is important. "A well educated electorate being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and read books shall not be infringed."

      Yet why did they explain why it was important? Your second phrase is somewhat puzzling, as it tends to support my position--they DIDN'T use that phrase with any other amendments.

    43. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When the Roman Emperor Caligula was finally deposed, the Praeatorian Guards installed a horse on the throne of Rome as a clear statement that nothing could be worse than Caligula.

      You may be right, but I suspect you're confused. My understanding is that the horse was made a senator by Caligula himself, and when Caligula was deposed the Praetorians installed a hunchbacked drooling idiot (Claudius), who went on to surprise people by actually being a reasonably good emperor.

    44. Re:Welcome to the Police State by ratamacue · · Score: 1
      these laws are no ones fault but our own. We are really a democracy. All of us who live in the US are responsible for our country's actions and decisions.

      It's amazing that people still believe that majority rule is the silver bullet, and may be used to legitimize aggression (the initiation of force). As if government is always legitimate as long as somewhere, somehow, it was voted upon.

      The truth is that majority rule is an enemy of liberty, because majority rule can't be achieved without force. Force, or involuntary association, is the logical opposite of liberty, or voluntary association. Moreover, it is inevitable that majority rule will be abused in order to benefit special interests. Everyone wants a piece of the pie, because they see everyone else getting a piece of the pie. Government's solution is not to limit the size of the pie, of course. Government's solution is to bake more pie. (Those in power achieve profit roughly proportional to the size of government.)

      Tyranny of the majority is a very real threat. Considering the incredible rate of expansion of the US government over the past century (in scope, power, and expense), there is no question that we're headed down that road.

    45. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      Anyone who yells "Nazi Germany" and calls Bush Hitler or Ashcroft Hitler is just so ridiculous that the government/public will never take you seriously. I didn't say you did that, but there is a gaggle of people on this website that do it, and they're moron quite frankly.

    46. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 2, Insightful
      you find that the phrase "bear Arms" was never used except in referring to militia activities.

      The context for the discussion was state rights versus federal power, and the creation of standing armies versus reliance on militias, so this is hardly surprising. Remeber that the Bill of Rights was an afterthought! However, it is clear that the framers had a armed citizenry (and not standing armies) in mind:

      "..but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little, if at all, inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens. This appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist." - Hamilton, Federalist No. 29

      "...the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation..." -- Madison, Federalist No. 46

      "If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no resource left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government, and which against the usurpations of the national rulers, may be exerted with infinitely better prospect of success than against those of the rulers of an individual state. In a single state, if the persons intrusted with supreme power become usurpers, the different parcels, subdivisions, or districts of which it consists, having no distinct government in each, can take no regular measures for defense. The citizens must rush tumultuously to arms, without concert, without system, without resource; except in their courage and despair." Hamilton, Federalist 28

      The National Guard are militias.

      As they are today, the National Guards are more military reserve units than real militias. (See Title 32 U.S.C.)

      Yet why did they explain why it was important?

      Explaining why something is important is done to give it extra weight. Doesn't your boss ever say things like, "Nomadic, getting this project done is necessary to keep FooBar as a customer, so I need this next week"?

      they DIDN'T use that phrase with any other amendments.

      Which would indicate that it was especially important. "Nomadic, do X. Nomadic, do Y. Nomadic, getting Z done is necessary to keep the company solvent, so do Z." Which do you do first?

      --
      Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
      You cannot wash away blood with blood
    47. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      Oh gee, I can think of one case where a citizen was detained without a trial... guess what, under the Constitution habeas corpus can be suspended in times of invasion or rebellion. Is Jose Padilla a political prisoner? Maybe to a Slashdrone whose balls haven't dropped yet.

      Oh what? You never read the Constitution? Poor thing.

      Oh yes those poor prisoners at Guantanamo. Boo hoo.

      In terms of infiltrating lawful political opposition groups, hate to tell you but it's constitutional. FBI agents have a right to join political parties just like all of us do, even if they're joining for the purposes of infiltrating. Hate to tell you but if a political group were to commit an act of terrorism everyone would be screaming about the FBI not doing what it is currently doing.

      The rest of your comment is so silly, so over-the-top, and so juvenile it's not even funny. Well it is, at least a little.

    48. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      You think MS cares about Slashdot? For 5 years the open-source mullet-haired slashdrones have been sitting in their parent's basement, posting unfunny comments, trying to go BOOYAH to Microsoft, and generally making asses of themselves. Guess what? It still hasn't worked.

    49. Re:Welcome to the Police State by faring · · Score: 1
      We are really a democracy. All of us who live in the US are responsible for our country's actions and decisions.

      Odd, I thought we were a representative republic. We have no say at all in laws that get created. We pick some person who we hope has our best interests at heart (HA!) to make decisions for us. If he proves intolerable, we can elect someone else next time, or we may even be able to recall him, but any damage he's done remains. Everything he did while in office is not magically undone. So what we get is a slow erosion of the quality of the government every time a politician makes a vote his constituency disagrees with. Just a little at a time but over a few hundred years, it adds up.

    50. Re:Welcome to the Police State by rookkey · · Score: 1

      Are you kidding? The guy was being shrill and confrontational from the beginning.

      It's frightening how Slashbots make mental leaps between the police asking for identification of a man suspiciously pulled over on the side of the road and the SS asking for papers.

      People here have absolutely no sense of historical perspective.

    51. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The drooling idiot part was just an act so Caligula wouldn't think him (Claudius) a threat and have him killed. Of course, once he dropped the act, he became fair game and IIRC was eventually posioned by Nero's mom so her son could take power.

    52. Re:Welcome to the Police State by instarx · · Score: 1

      Thank you for you lucid and insightful critique of the Bill of Rights.

      Oh gee, I can think of one case where a citizen was detained without a trial...

      The Bush administration is holding hundreds of people in indefinate secret detention without charge and without benefit of law by utilizing the Material Witness statutes in ways they were never intended to be used. The exact number is unknown because guess what - they are being held in secret.

      guess what, under the Constitution habeas corpus can be suspended in times of invasion or rebellion. Is Jose Padilla a political prisoner?

      The last time I looked there was no rebellion or invasion.

      Is Jose Padilla a political prisoner?

      I'm not talking about Padilla. I was specifically referring to a programmer in Washington state who was yanked off the street by Federal agents and held in secret for months without charge or access to an attorney. The authorities would not even admit they had him, leaving his family guessing where he was and by whom he was being held. I saw newsreel photos of his family standing outside the Federal detention center holding pictures of their son and begging the authorities to just tell them if he was there or not. Even today the government will not release the names, or even the number, of people it is detaining. I don't know if you are aware of the term "disappeareds", but the US has its own disappeareds now.

      Oh yes those poor prisoners at Guantanamo. Boo hoo.

      Many of the prisoners at Guantanamo were released after more than a year. Do you think the government would have released them if they had ANY evidence they were associated with terrorists? Yes they were poor prisoners. I live in Manhattan and I have no sympathy for terrorists, but if we are to be any different than Saddam Hussein we have to deal with our prisoners using the law - not by dictatorial decree. I am surprised that you, great Constitutional scholar that seem to think you are, fail to see that.

      In terms of infiltrating lawful political opposition groups, hate to tell you but it's constitutional

      Sorry, but you are stupidly wrong here. After the domestic spying abuses by the Hoover era FBI were discovered, such activity was specifically prohibited by law. Ashcroft is trying hard to have those laws changed, but as yet to no avail.

      Sorry I called you stupid, but I thought it was better than dickhead.

    53. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      Wipe the drool from your keyboard, slashdrone, you've still got some more zits to pop. You're rights are well protected, I assure you. The US government is authorized under the Constitution to provide for the common defense as well as protect certain rights. It's a delicate balancing act.

    54. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      We've got a long way to go before we hit Caligula, my friend. :)

      The United States has been the most hated country on the planet for a while now, it's just that the populations of the countries that bore "friendly" governments are starting to turn on their elected officials as a result of the actions of our Commander-in-Smurf.

      Also, you forget (or never new the true extent of) FDR. He was far worse than Bushie Jr. ever though about being in the realm of cancelling rights and abusing power. Out of all the other scum who've held the Oval Office, FDR most deserved to be killed.

    55. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      you're = you are
      your = belonging to you
      ---------------
      Funny, you provide zero substantiation for your comment that my rights are protected. Also, making assumptions as you have in order to attack me personally reflects on your character, not mine. If you wish to get anyone to consider your viewpoint instead of simply dismissing you out-of-hand as childish and ignorant, try a different tack.

      The "common defense" regards acts of war and invasion, and invoking it here is ludicrous. As for it authorizing the protection of certain rights, I wonder if you could perhaps provide the Article and section that this authorization to protect these "certain" rights is located in. I know of references to protecting the rights of the people from abuses by the government, but none that authorize the government to safeguard "certain" rights. Please, enlighten me.

    56. Re:Welcome to the Police State by instarx · · Score: 1

      I did not say Bush was Caligula, but that I understand how the Praeatorians felt when they put a horse in the throne in his place...and I do...really.

      I "v e r y c a r e f u l l y" worded my caligula remarks to omit any reference to how he lost the throne. I do not advocate the tried and true Roman way of regime change. Please note I am not using certain words here in the hope I don't get flagged by the CIA and Echelon as a potential terrorist and put on the "cannot fly" list. Yes, I'm that paranoid with this administration and our Department of Fatherland Security.

      Yes, FDR did trample rights, and he was wrong to do it, but you also have to consider the time. This country was on the verge of a real revolution in the 30's as opposed to the largely made-up "threat to democracy" the Wolfowitz/Cheney/Rumsfeld troika is pushing. Neither al Queda nor Saddam is/was a direct threat to our democracy. We can also point to great things FDR did. Now THERE was a wartime president for real. The only great thing GW Bush has done is to learn to speak English in under two years, run and hide when airplanes were falling out of the sky, and posing for a photo-op in a borrowed flight suit. At least FDR never put on a military uniform and posed for photos like a two-bit dictator.

      I'm getting rather nasty to Bush here, aren't I. He deserves it.

    57. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Linus+Sixpack · · Score: 1

      He made no sudden moves, he was clearly away from the vehicle and made no motion to escape. He asked if he was illegally parked several times and got no answer. His hands never went to a threatening stance. He wasn't armed. He was belligerant but at no time did the police ask his name or express any concern for his circumstance.

      "Have you had an argument with a woman in your truck? Is she alright? We need to speak to her. Whats your name?" If that was said it might have defused this whole thing.

    58. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Oh, I wasn't implying that's what you meant. I should have been more explicit in my wording: there are a lot worse things out there than Bush. I do understand your sentiment though. What we have is a never-ending parade of self-indulgent babies who wish nothing more than to promote themselves and their petty agendas, to hell with everyone else.

      Yes, there was a revolution in the 30's, and the revolutionaries won. FDR helped the revolutionaries win. He helped to permanently install socialism in the United States.

      However, that wasn't actually what I was talking about. I was talking about his actions during the war. He signed EO9066 and EO9102, removing the rights of 120,000 Americans, stripping them of their property and dignity, and incarcerating them without due process for 4 years.

      He forced 10,110,114 American men into involuntary servitude, stripping them of more rights than the 12,000 affected by EO9066. Many of them were ordered to their deaths against their will, the ultimate betrayal of individual rights.

      FDR was also complicit in the bombing of Pearl Harbor, based on now-declassified documents pertaining to the breaking of the Japanese military code. They knew in advance.

      He transformed the inalienable right to enjoy the fruits of ones' labor into a privilege to be granted or revoked by the government by creating a tax on the privilege of being employed, and the privilege of employing (neither of which are privileges, but absolute rights). When the Supreme Court laid the smack down on him, he extorted their complicity by threatening to destroy the integrity of the Judicial Branch by flooding the Court with partisans.

      He removed the United States from a monetary standard backed by tangible wealth to one backed by nothing more than faith. After all, paper is worth what people believe it is, and nothing more.

      FDR did not believe in Constitutional checks and balances - he tried to destroy and was prepared to defy the Supreme Court and Congress.

      FDR signed legislation in order to fix prices and insulate people from the consequences of defaulting on contracts (ie the consequences of their actions as outlined clearly in contracts they agreed to).

      Personally, I can't think of one good thing that FDR accomplished, but I can see a lot of people who are worse-off as a result. Just look at the abject failure of Social Security. Not only did it strip everyone of the right to work and enjoy all the fruits of their labors, but it has made generations of older people dependent on it, instead of having a family safety net. The family is busy paying taxes to fund the exact cost of Social Security at the current moment and so have nothing left to help support their elders and keep a family life together. All the surplus is spent on $1000.00 hammers and $800.00 toilet seats, or on renovating government offices to install a new spa or gym.

      No, FDR wasn't a great president. He was the scum of the earth, and was only interested in acting along the same lines as his contemporaries Stalin and Churchill: an arrogant, power-hungry populist who had more ego and power than he had sense.

      The only wartime president worth a damn in the entire history of the United States was Washington, and even he had his faults. At least he also had intelligence and principles, and was a reluctant leader. Those are the best.

    59. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 1

      Anyone who yells "Nazi Germany" and calls Bush Hitler or Ashcroft Hitler is just so ridiculous.... I didn't say you did that,...

      To be perfectly blunt, you were the one to bring Nazi Germany into this thread. Let's review, shall we?

      • madMingusMax makes comparison to "1950s Communist Russia"
      • You assure him/her that "it really isn't Nazi Germany here yet."
      • I point out what I suspect it a logical fallacy in your post.
      • You tell me to "grow a brain and stop screaming Nazi Germany every 2 seconds."
      • I point out another logical inconsistency in your post.
      • You tell me you didn't say this stuff of me, as if I can't simply scroll up and read it for myself.

      [T]here is a gaggle of people on this website that do it, and they're moron [sic] quite frankly.

      So why aren't you replying to any of them? I've gone through your "recent comments" page, and none of your posts for this article are in reply to a post which actually makes a comparison between the United States and Nazi Germany.

    60. Re:Welcome to the Police State by t0ny · · Score: 1
      Then I hope to Hell that you never attain a position of power, because you're advocating an abuse of it. Arrest someone for suspicion of a specific crime on the grounds that they won't tell you who they are? If you have evidence or even suspicion, you don't need to know who they are to charge them.

      I think you need to learn the law a little better. The police have the right to arrest somebody they suspect has been involved in a crime. This includes witnesses.

      I think you are confusing being arrested with being sentenced to a prison term. Being arrested means just that, you are being held pending investigation. There is a time limit on how long they can hold you (I think its usually 48 hours), and after that period they either have to formally charge you with a crime, or release you.

      This is the last ditch rationale of those whose arguments cannot stand on their own merits. Maybe he DOES have something to hide. Maybe he thinks the cop is being a dick,

      This is called hindering an investigation.

      Oh, and maybe try reading the 9th and 10th amendments if you think there's no right to anonymity

      Amendment IX
      The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

      Amendment X
      The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

      The only thing which seems anonymous is your knowledge. Neither of those is even remotely applicable to any kind of privacy rights.

      Since the officer was not a federal employee, I am assuming he either worked for the state of Nevada, or the local authorities. So what does the Bill of Rights have to do with the price of tea in China?

      All the more reason to not carry a government-issued ID unless absolutely necessary. They cannot force you to produce what you do not have.

      Spoken like a true resident of a trailer park.

      --

      Manipulate the moderator system! Mod someone as "overrated" today.

    61. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Sanction · · Score: 1

      Balanced against what? I don't see the need to give up a single right in the face of a threat that, in it's deadliest year, hardly killed more people in the US than died in swimming pool drownings.

      --
      Well I'm the doctor and I say you're dead, so shut up and take it like a man!
    62. Re:Welcome to the Police State by rking · · Score: 1

      here in Europe it's obvious that you're going to provide your ID if you're asked

      In the UK you're under no general obligation to have any ID, let alone to carry it around with you, let alone to show it to someone. Drivers do have to have a license but don't have to carry it around with them.

      I sometimes have my cheque card with me, if that counts, but frequently I don't have any sort of ID when I go out. Never known it to be an issue.

    63. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      You need to learn how to articulate better.

      I have a firm grasp of many areas of law, this just happens to be my favorite. I suggest if you wish to be taken seriously that you support any further statements with the relevent controlling case law, as I tire of unsubstantiated prattling.

      The police have the right to arrest somebody they suspect has been involved in a crime.

      True, minus the fact that police powers are not rights, they are powers. There are important legal differences in the terms government officials acting in their official capacity are not acting within their "rights," they are acting with their powers as granted by whatever controlling legislation grants them their power.

      What you said previously was that you would arrest someone not because you believed them to be involved in a crime, but only because they didn't tell you who they were. If you were arresting them for suspicion, you would have no reason to state that you were arresting them as a result of their refusal to identify themself. If you were arresting them for refusal to identify themself, that would have to be a crime for it to be a legitimate use of power. However, it cannot be made into a crime without a pre-existing suspicion re: Brown v. Texas 443 U.S. 47. You're either confused or advocating an abuse of power. I'm beginning to suspect that the former is true rather than the latter.

      This is called hindering an investigation.

      Only if they can prove refusal based on intent to hinder the police. Since nobody as-yet has perfected a mind-reading device (that I'm aware of), this is not a provable, and hence prosecutable, claim. He can simply claim protection under the 1st, 4th, or 5th amendment. In terms police could understand, he could claim his right to remain silent.

      The words of those two amendments are in plain English. Amendment 9 makes reference to rights not written in the Constitution because there ARE rights not written into the Constitution. I have a right to privacy and anonymity because nowhere in the Constitution are regulatory power over those issues granted to the federal government. Since the Constitution doesn't deny or disparage the rights to privacy and anonymity, power over those are reserved by the states (any whose Constitutions grant those powers to their respective states) or to the people. It's really pretty clear. Written in plain English.

      Since the officer was not a federal employee, I am assuming he either worked for the state of Nevada, or the local authorities. So what does the Bill of Rights have to do with the price of tea in China?

      The protections in the Constitution are not just limits on the federal government, but are also limits on the state government. More specifically, the 10th amendment provides a specific limitation of both federal and individual state power. If it is not delegated to the federal goverment or prohibited to the state government, and it is also delegated to the state government within that state's Constitution (as there can be no grant of power from the populace without a state Constitution in place, and hence no state), it is reserved to the people. That includes the right to be free from undue government intrusion and interference,the right to privacy (extending throughout the public, private, and governmental spheres), the right of publicity, etc.

      Now, I haven't delved far into Nevada's Constitution, but I can almost guarantee you there is no provision granting the power of law enforcement in Nevada to arrest someone for failure to identify themselves. It's generally protected in all states by a section that mimics the 1st, 4th, and 5th Amendments, specifically the right to freedom of speech, and by extension the freedom not to speak, the right to be free from search or seizure without due process (reasonable suspicion not based on the simple exercise of a right, as exercising a right can never be converted into a crime), and

    64. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1
      Thank you for you lucid and insightful critique of the Bill of Rights.

      See this just shows how silly you are, there is no mention of the bill of rights in my post.

      First off, 9/11 was an invasion. It was an invasion of terrorist infiltrators, even if there weren't a lot of them. That's not an excuse to start locking people up for no reason, Padilla was one such person who fell through the cracks unfortunately.

      The history of habeas corpus has shown that it's a tricky one. All the constitution says is that it can be suspended in times of invasion or rebellion, and this is what Lincoln and Roosevelt used, and I think that other presidents have used it from time to time. Of course, leaving the president in power to suspend habeas corpus is a little worrisome but that's the way it's been done for a while. Most other countries have martial law provisions in their constiutions for times of total chaos.

      I think that the FBI needs a warrant to investigate groups (I'm not sure) but the fact is that if some of these groups might be conspiring to destroy the constitution itself and/or kill americans, then certainly that falls under "provide for the common defense". It's a slippery slope, but Ashcroft is not the monster you guys paint him to be, people demonized rarely are.

    65. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      Sure your rights are protected. Are you in jail for speaking out against the government? Can you still buy a firearm?

      The right in question seems to be the 4th amendment, the right to protect against unwarranted search and seizures. Hate to tell you but the Supreme Court ruled that police can search vehicles if they have a reasonable suspicion. If this guy was out of his car, that's something to consider, but he has recourse to bring his case before the courts of the land, which he has. That does not make the US Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany or whatever ridiculous comparison the poster made.

      Common defense protects no rights, I don't think I ever said that. Basically the federal government is authorized for both providing for the common defense and at the same time protecting those rights outlined in the BoR and the body of the constitution (habeas corpus is in the body). This is often a very difficult and delicate balancing act.

    66. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      Sorry, it was Communist Russia, my mistake. It's still a silly comparison.

      Here in the US we have appeals court in which you can have your case heard before a judge. In every single stable government, there is a need to keep law and order. Our government also happens to recognize due process, which means among other things that you can appeal any court decision, provided a higher court will hear it.

      The Congress could pass a law forbidding criticism of the government tomorrow (or the next working day). There really is no reason why they couldn't and because of Marbury vs. Madison the Supreme Court is there to judge the constitutionality of given laws. So any sort of law can be passed, but in the end a judge has to decide whether or not it's constitutional or not.

      So the US is not "Communist Russia" or "Nazi Germany". There's a gray area that exists in regards to rights and we have a state and federal judiciary to decide what rights you do and don't have.

    67. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      Sure your rights are protected. Are you in jail for speaking out against the government? Can you still buy a firearm?

      A little simplistic, don't you think?
      Rights violations rarely occur in such a blatant manner.

      This man was arrested for not having any ID, not for refusing to display it. If you bothered to watch the video, the officer asks "You got any ID on you?" Hiibel responds with, "No, I don't. Why should I have ID?"

      The officer ends up arresting him after asking him if he's going to cooperate (produce ID), and Hiibel says no (he has already stated he HAS none on him, and so is UNABLE to comply). There must be an overall criminal charge to warrant a demand for identification, which was not met in this situation. The charge of domestic battery was supported by a witness who said he/she THOUGHT she saw the man hit the woman, a charge denied ON TAPE by both participants. It later turned out that the woman (Mimi) hit the man in the shoulder. Without the overriding criminal charge, the charge of failing to provide identification cannot stand in the face of the ruling in Brown v. Texas 443 U.S. 47.

      There are lots of other rights violations, but rarely so public. So to make a blanket statement that rights are protected does not stand in the face of the many cases to the contrary. No, there are not systematic rights violations (with the exception of the "enemy combatant" designation, which strips individuals of all rights) as have happened in the past, but they're never far below the surface.

      I wasn't sure where you were going with the common defense line, which is why I went with the assumption you were somehow trying to tie it to the case at hand. I apologize. You did not, in fact, ever state that explicitly.

      It can be a difficult balancing act, but they've become increasingly heavy-handed in contrast to the types of intervention that were considered intrusive when the Constitution was initially written.

    68. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      Well what is a "right" is up to the courts. In terms of giving the biggie rights in BoR, no I don't disagree we should never give up speech and all that. On the other hand, the majority of people in the US would rather not be under constant attack by terrorists and our government is certainly authorized under the constitution to provide for the common defense. In times of invasion (and on 9/11 we certainly were invaded) a writ of habeas corpus can be suspended and this depends on courts.

    69. Re:Welcome to the Police State by t0ny · · Score: 1
      When somebody starts nitpicking on minutia, they have lost the argument.

      The fact remains that the officer was perfectly within the bounds of his authority for arresting this guy, and your shrill whining wont change that.

      Im all for protection of citizen rights, but this isnt a case where some jackboot thug arrested and beat some innocent bystander. Try picking better battles in the future.

      --

      Manipulate the moderator system! Mod someone as "overrated" today.

    70. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      When somebody starts nitpicking on minutia, they have lost the argument.

      That statement alone shows you know nothing about the law. The law thrives on precise details, though few of them are trifling as your chosen word would tend to imply.

      The fact remains that you continue to insist he was within the bounds of his authority even when Nevada case law alone stands on the other side of the isle, not to mention previous Supreme Court rulings.

      You have yet to cite any objective (i.e. something other than your own unsubstantiated opinion) support for your position, or provide any evidence whatsoever to refute the evidence I presented. I'll leave that record to stand on its own as to whose argument can hold more water.

      You say you're for citizen's rights. You may even believe it. However, your comments betray your true position.

    71. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      Free-market.net kicks ass. :)

    72. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      Lies, damn lies! They told me in public skool that we live in a democracy!
      Don't confuse the ramblings of the poorly informed with things like facts!
      Up is down!
      War is peace!
      Freedom is slavery!
      Ignorance is strength!

    73. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Fjandr · · Score: 1

      It's not armies, navies, and air forces that repel invaders. They are used to take over countries, not defend them.

      Over the course of history, it has been guerrilla warfare waged by small groups of armed individuals that have proved to be the most effective in repelling invaders. Those times when conventional warfare has been employed were those that saw the most casualties and devastation on all sides of a conflict.

      Poland, France, and most of Europe had strict gun control at the time. None of the populace who were not in the military were armed, and hence were easily subjugated. You want a good example of an armed populace, look at the US incursions into Somalia. You don't hear about them too often, because the Army Rangers got their asses beat down by good ol' boys who lived there. The Army couldn't move very far very fast, because they had to secure every house, barn, chicken coop, outhouse, etc (It was actually an urban environment, but you get my point). The more armed individuals it is necessary to guard against, the more resources an invading or occupying force must expend to retain control of the territory. Vietnam was another good example. Anyone and everyone could be armed and dangerous, which means time and energy. These all work to the advantage of guerrilla fighters, but don't work for conventional armies.

      Frankly, if an American dictator takes over, it will more than likely be guerrilla warfare that wins us free, as nobody on the outside would be willing to attack a nuclear superpower with conventional forces. Our only hope should that happen would be firearms in private hands, in private caches by those who fear (and many times seem to hope for) the worst.

      And don't discount those accountants on Wall Street. Push the right buttons, and you can drive them right over the edge. :)

    74. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Sanction · · Score: 1

      Well, the problem is that we aren't under constant attack by anyone. In rough numbers, over the past 10 years, you are more than 6 times more likely to die by drowning in a swimming pool than in a terrorist attack. I simply don't see how such a tiny risk justifies the expenditure of billions of dollars and curtailing any rights, big or small, to have a microscopic change in the incidence of an incredibly uncommon event.

      --
      Well I'm the doctor and I say you're dead, so shut up and take it like a man!
    75. Re:Welcome to the Police State by Marr · · Score: 1

      You think if Deputy Dawg had been completely confident that the peasant was unarmed, he would even have pretended to be civilised?

  9. How can they do that? by scribblej · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I love to watch COPS. I know, I'm a horrible exampe of white trash. But I just can't resist. I see things like this happen on COPS all the time - no really, watch it and you'll see. And I always wonder, "How the *hell* can they do that?!"

    You'll see them come up to some guy who seems like he's just minding his own business, and they'll totally abuse his rights -- although in their defense, in the end, the guy always ends up being guilty of something.

    This seems like as good a time as any to ask - how CAN they do that?

    1. Re:How can they do that? by GigsVT · · Score: 2, Insightful

      That's the answer to the guy who trotted out the "if you have nothing to hide" line.

      They can do it because no one fights back.

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    2. Re:How can they do that? by ThomK · · Score: 1
      You'll see them come up to some guy who seems like he's just minding his own business, and they'll totally abuse his rights -- although in their defense, in the end, the guy always ends up being guilty of something.

      Yeah, on COPS he does!
      --

      TK

    3. Re:How can they do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You'll see them come up to some guy who seems like he's just minding his own business, and they'll totally abuse his rights -- although in their defense, in the end, the guy always ends up being guilty of something.

      This seems like as good a time as any to ask - how CAN they do that?


      Simple. They use the latest and greatest tools to edit out the civil-rights violations.

    4. Re:How can they do that? by Tassach · · Score: 4, Insightful
      the guy always ends up being guilty of something
      Well, there are so many laws on the books that it's almost impossible for anyone go through a normal day without breaking a few laws. Plus, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to play "spot-the-stoner". And of course we're talking about TV... all the stops they make that don't result in an arrest wind up on the cutting room floor
      This seems like as good a time as any to ask - how CAN they do that?
      Because we let them.

      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.

      --
      Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
    5. Re:How can they do that? by cant_get_a_good_nick · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You'll see them come up to some guy who seems like he's just minding his own business, and they'll totally abuse his rights -- although in their defense, in the end, the guy always ends up being guilty of something.

      The show needs access to police departments. The police depts. want to be shown in a favorable light. The show has editors. How many clips ended up on the cutting room floor of the times have they abused the rights of someone when they don't end up being guilty?

    6. Re:How can they do that? by jcr · · Score: 4, Insightful

      although in their defense, in the end, the guy always ends up being guilty of something.

      Duh!

      Think the innocent people who get harassed will show up on TV? If the show did that even once, they'd get no further cooperation from the police departments.

      -jcr

      --
      The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    7. Re:How can they do that? by morkeld · · Score: 4, Insightful


      ... although in their defense, in the end, the guy always ends up being guilty of something.

      Of course the ones you wind up seeing on TV are guilty, what about all the incidents you do not see that never make it on TV? Also, all the car chases you see on TV end in the death or capture of the criminal ... they never show anyone getting away. Of course, I'm not advocating criminal behavior, just pointing out the subtle conditioning that's going on with these shows.

    8. Re:How can they do that? by visgoth · · Score: 1

      COPS: Show us the man, and we'll find the crime!

      --
      My patience is infinite, my time is not.
    9. Re:How can they do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In California there is a car chase what seems like every other day. Right in the middle of Guiding Light some news babe needs to break into the show to announce that there is some high speed police chase on the interstate.

      I seriously doubt that they are only showing the chases where the guy gets caught. The police have so much more resources than any single guy in a car. Helicopters, patrol cars, and television crews allow the police the ability to end just about any high speed chase with the successful capture of the fleeing suspect.

      Whether or not COPS edits out police encounters with innocent people has nothing to do with live police chases.

    10. Re:How can they do that? by monkeyfinger · · Score: 3, Interesting
      I saw a similar show, (I think it was called "Scariest Police Chases") and in one chase the guy being chased had a criminal record and the narrator actually used the phrase "criminals never learn". I couldn't believe it, somebody was actually said that criminals lack the ability to learn from their mistakes. Like they are some kind of retarded sub-human scum.

      I realize that this was not exactly the cream of American Television, but it really bothered me. It seemed to echo the whole American policy of simply locking people away instead of bothering to rehabilitate them.

    11. Re:How can they do that? by phliar · · Score: 1
      Here's a plausible scenario: the cops always abuse everyone's civil rights everytime, but they're only allowed to show it on TV if the guy turned out to be guilty. (Hey, if the guy's innocent, we can't show that because that would be an invasion of his privacy.) Pure paranoia? Maybe. But just because you're paranoid doesn't mean...

      - how CAN they do that?
      They have guns. The only antidote is money. As in: if you're poor, you'd better do what the guy with gun tells you to.
      --
      Unlimited growth == Cancer.
    12. Re:How can they do that? by Liselle · · Score: 1
      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
      Nice! Consider that stolen for use in my sig. ;)
      --
      Auto-reply to ACs: "Truly, you have a dizzying intellect."
    13. Re:How can they do that? by panaceaa · · Score: 1

      Don't you notice how the cops always ask for permission first? I would say probably 90% of the time when cops ask to search a vehicle, they don't have probable cause. But the cops ask to search, and the people say "okay!", and the cops find guns and narcotics. It's pretty rediculous what people will agree to because they think they'll get off easier if they allow the cops to do whatever they want.

    14. Re:How can they do that? by rark · · Score: 1

      > There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order.

      Thank you for the new .sig.

    15. Re:How can they do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obviously, they can do that because you ppl in the U.S. of A. have been conditioned into unquestioningly submitting to their authority by COPS.

    16. Re:How can they do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Plus, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to play
      > "spot-the-stoner".

      Quite the contrary. It's a shame to see this stereotype about recreational marijuana users perpetuated. I speak for a lot of my geek friends when I say that marijuana users on the whole are indistinguishable from everybody else except for the fact that they consume marijuana.

      You don't see the corporate execs that smoke; you don't see the teachers that smoke; you don't see the politicians who smoked before their choice of careers forced them to call it quits.

      Responsible users tend to be so responsible that you never know the difference. Only the tards trumpet their use. They were tards before they smoked marijuana too.

      Recent studies have proven what most people already know. Marijuana is not physically addictive. Marijuana does not decrease one's cognitive capacity (1999 Johns Hopkins study if you're interested). Marijuana can be integrated into a healthy lifestyle as much as beer can.

      In an age where 50% of Americans have consumed marijuana at some point in their life, it's time to stop with the mindless stereotypes. They only perpetuate the immoral and disastrous policy of marijuana prohibition.

      The only difference between you and I is that you down a Coors and I have a joint. Please, end the insanity.

    17. Re:How can they do that? by RodgerDodger · · Score: 1

      Remember to use the soap in the soap box first... :) It's amazing how much easier it is to convince people if you don't come across as an unwashed druggie.

      --
      "Software is too expensive to build cheaply"
    18. Re:How can they do that? by sootman · · Score: 1

      The way I heard it, there was a 5th box, ballot, between #3 and #4 in your list.

      --
      Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
    19. Re:How can they do that? by thirdrock · · Score: 2, Offtopic

      ... "criminals never learn". I couldn't believe it, somebody was actually said that criminals lack the ability to learn from their mistakes.

      Actually, many criminals do learn. The time spent in prison is used to learn how to be much more effective criminals.

      It seemed to echo the whole American policy of simply locking people away instead of bothering to rehabilitate them.

      You are starting with the premise that criminality is some kind of injury or disease that can be rehabilitated.

      What if, given the environment you live in, criminal behaviour is the obvious evolutionary choice. That is, the lowest risk behaviour for the greatest return? Or, simply tribal behaviour?

      Changing environment and social setting may cure criminal behaviour. Or at least change it to the more acceptable kind that you can get away with if you are a white person, ie. securities fraud or corruption.

      --
      >>
      I am the director, and this is my movie ...
    20. Re:How can they do that? by SiliconJesus101 · · Score: 1

      Well, thats the magic of TV. You can edit out anything that you don't want the people to see.

      --

      "The strong will do what they want, the weak will do what they must."
      -Thucydides

    21. Re:How can they do that? by randyest · · Score: 1

      Sucks that you posted this AC as few will see it. It's relevant, smart, and well-written. Please consider registering and/or logging in in the future.

      --
      everything in moderation
    22. Re:How can they do that? by Lord+Barrabas · · Score: 3, Informative
      >>There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.

      >Nice! Consider that stolen for use in my sig. ;)

      And when you do use it remember to attribute it to Ed Howdershelt and not the grandparent poster. The quote is in kernel hacker Gene Haskett's sig, where it is happily and properly referenced.

    23. Re:How can they do that? by Jaysyn · · Score: 1

      COPS: That racist, welfare hating, crack-hunt.

      apologies to Bruce McCulloch

      Jaysyn

      --
      There is a war going on for your mind.
    24. Re:How can they do that? by mikedaisey · · Score: 1


      It *is* actually a fairly true aphorism--there have been plenty of studies that show a high degree of redicivism in criminals.

    25. Re:How can they do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Slashdot is public. Archives are kept. Like most responsible users, I refuse even flirt with any action that might legally endanger me. When I'm already violating the law, any additional risk is too much.

    26. Re:How can they do that? by FreakWent · · Score: 1

      "although in their defense, in the end, the guy always ends up being guilty of something."

      Duh. It's TV, it's edited. They don't broadcast the tapes of the innocent guys.

      Duh again.

    27. Re:How can they do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Cops get really freaking angry when you say "No" when they ask to search your vehicle. And a couple of years ago the Iowa Highway Patrol lost a supreme court case because they were routinely searching vehicles during minor traffic stops such as seat belt violations and not taking 'no' for an answer. They were also setting up road blocks on the interstate and diverting cars off and selecting them for 'random' searches with no probable cause. Despite losing their case, they still do the same things, in open defiance of the ruling. Saying 'no' is likely to get you cuffed and arrested on some made up charge, even if they find nothing (and don't bet they won't plant something).

    28. Re:How can they do that? by nursedave · · Score: 1

      Good points, all. I have a friend who is an FBI agent. Back lo, those many years ago, when he was a lowly city cop and I would go on rideouts with him, we were talking about the shitload of arrestable offences. He said, "There're probably about 1000 local ordinances I can arrest you on; I probably know about half of 'em. THere are probably 20,000 state and federal laws I can arrest you for breaking; I might know 1/4 of 'em. Basically, if a cop wants to bad enough, and knows enough law, he can find a reason to take you in." This conversation didn't give me a warm fuzzy deep down, y'know? The scary thing is, he's one of the good guys - I saw him arrest people for boneheaded stunts (DUI, outstanding warrants, whatever) and he was always very cordial to them; he would ask them what music they liked, and turn his car radio to that kind of station for the ride to the jail. Even Tejano. Blech.

      --

      The Democratic Party: We've been pussies since 1968!

    29. Re:How can they do that? by nursedave · · Score: 1
      The editors probably don't do it; the cops get to come in to a local TV studio and go over the tape and edit out things that they don't want shown.

      On a humorous note: I was working in Fort Worth, Tx, and one of the cops who did off-duty security where I worked had been on cops, and I remembered the episode (shot in CowTown!) There was a part where the cops were called out on a prowler call, and as the principle cop and camera were going around the side of the lady's house, a gunshot rang out. They booked it to the rear, guns drawn, and found the little old lady in a robe on her back porch, pistol in hand, saying she'd shot at the guy. The cops were real nice to her, looked around her back yard (there was a little storage shed in the back yard, they looked between it and the fence) and in the alley, no badguy. The cop told her "I'm glad you have your gun, Mrs. , but be careful, that could have been one of my officers."

      Ok, scenario ends. What you DIDN'T see, and this cop told me about, was that the next morning, they found the burgler that she had shot, lying dead UNDER the storage shed; apparently he'd crawled under to hide from the cops and lay down for a little nap.

      --

      The Democratic Party: We've been pussies since 1968!

    30. Re:How can they do that? by bmud · · Score: 1

      Reposting what you can only find browsing at 0.

      ------

      > Plus, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to play
      > "spot-the-stoner".

      Quite the contrary. It's a shame to see this stereotype about recreational marijuana users perpetuated. I speak for a lot of my geek friends when I say that marijuana users on the whole are indistinguishable from everybody else except for the fact that they consume marijuana.

      You don't see the corporate execs that smoke; you don't see the teachers that smoke; you don't see the politicians who smoked before their choice of careers forced them to call it quits.

      Responsible users tend to be so responsible that you never know the difference. Only the tards trumpet their use. They were tards before they smoked marijuana too.

      Recent studies have proven what most people already know. Marijuana is not physically addictive. Marijuana does not decrease one's cognitive capacity (1999 Johns Hopkins study if you're interested). Marijuana can be integrated into a healthy lifestyle as much as beer can.

      In an age where 50% of Americans have consumed marijuana at some point in their life, it's time to stop with the mindless stereotypes. They only perpetuate the immoral and disastrous policy of marijuana prohibition.

      The only difference between you and I is that you down a Coors and I have a joint. Please, end the insanity.

    31. Re:How can they do that? by Bombcar · · Score: 1

      You mean:

      soap, ballot, jury, ballot, ammo?

      Kinda funny.....

    32. Re:How can they do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i'v often said for the longest of times, "COPS is nothing more than a propaganda show that tryes to convince the citizens they have less rights then they do to make it easier to hire less skilled police and pay them less while tossing you rights out the window. it is somewhat amazing how they can pull a car over for having tinted windows and instead of just giving a ticket they search the vehicle and find tons of dope and other ilegle stuff"

      this is a conspiracy to make you think, 1: they only do this stuff to criminals and they deserve it 2: you don't need to complain about thier rights being violated (if they were) because they are guilty anyways 3: this would never happen to you so don't worry uunless your one of the guilty ones.

      thye sometime act like violating someoens rights is a tool they use for modern efective law enforcement. i used to be one of the ones that thought it was alright when it was just happening to the blacks and the hispanics, but now it is happening to whites and i had to think about it again. i'n not really a racist or anythign, it just wasn't in my neiborhood so it didn't matter.

    33. Re:How can they do that? by randyest · · Score: 1

      So register with a hotmail or yahoo account. That's no more traceable than your IP logs that follow you regardless. You don't have to make yourself any more traceable to post at +1 (or +2!) as opposed to -1.

      It matters.

      --
      everything in moderation
    34. Re:How can they do that? by Imperator · · Score: 1
      Also, all the car chases you see on TV end in the death or capture of the criminal ... they never show anyone getting away.

      Well, to be fair to the TV stations they do show many of those car chases live. But consider that in order for them to show a car chase, there has to be a news station helicopter watching it. That pretty much means the chase is happening in a city, where the police force has its own helicopter and plenty of other resources to chase down cars successfully. In other words, by the time a news helicopter makes it to a chase, the police have already committed to finishing it.

      If the officer says "not worth my trouble" or "not worth endangering the public" and never attempts the chase, it doesn't get on TV. So especially out in less urban areas, there are much fewer successful chases per chase attempt. (It takes longer for backup to get there, and there's less likely to be a helicopter available to track the chased car if he gets out of sight of the police cars. These are also the chases you never see on TV--not because of some conspiracy, but because there are simply no news helicopters to film them.

      --

      Gates' Law: Every 18 months, the speed of software halves.
    35. Re:How can they do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      Er... I could be wrong, but I think he's talking about "spot the stoner" as in "spot the person who is currently stoned out of his mind". That doesn't take rocket science.

    36. Re:How can they do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It was 'Dragnet' that documented the outcome of the cases shown in each episode, 'COPS' doesn't let you know who was found how of what, and the producers slip the aggrieved parties a few, so no objection to
      airing the incident. Oddly enough, there are many people who wish cops all acted aggressively a la 'The Shield', even if they made serious mistakes. 'COPS' helps them feel that way.

    37. Re:How can they do that? by shess · · Score: 1

      This seems like as good a time as any to ask - how CAN they do that?

      I once heard a story about this. Apparently, they have to get everyone to sign a form allowing things to be broadcast - including the suspect. They touched on the problem of the suspect assuming they're with the police. Apparently they explain the situation in some detail, and, for the most part, they get willing cooperation. The crazy guy running around shirtless in his yard sporting a shotgun actually wants to be on TV.

      I think the summary of the piece was "People who commit crimes, in general, are just not very smart." Of course, in this case, it's self-selecting (the smart criminals maybe don't sign the forms).

    38. Re:How can they do that? by EvilBudMan · · Score: 1

      Bad Girls, Bad Girls, Whatcha gonna do?

    39. Re:How can they do that? by Tassach · · Score: 1

      One could argue that "stoners" (that is to say, people who fit the classic Cheech & Chong stereotype) are not "responsible users". "Stoner", like "Hacker" (or "Christian", for that matter) is used by people to claim membership in a group; however, in all these cases there are multiple groups using the same label but which have diametrically opposed viewpoints and values.

      --
      Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
    40. Re:How can they do that? by Tassach · · Score: 1

      As others have noted, it's not an original statement. Please attribute it to it's true originator, Ed Howdershelt.

      --
      Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
    41. Re:How can they do that? by BenEnglishAtHome · · Score: 1
      You'll see them come up to some guy who seems like he's just minding his own business, and they'll totally abuse his rights -- although in their defense, in the end, the guy always ends up being guilty of something.

      Oddly, enough, no, they don't. We seem to be willing to allow cops to get away with all kinds of low-level abuse as long as the victims don't have the power to fight back and without regard to whether those victims are ultimately found innocent or guilty.

      Especially in the early days, I was always struck with how "Cops" really should have been named "Stupid Cop Tricks" instead. My favorite examples include the guy who gets a dime dropped on him by an ex accusing him of dealing drugs. The cops stop him while he's moving, pull all his household goods out of the rented moving van, and find nothing but some residue from a previously smoked joint in the ashtray. So the cops want to bust the ex for making a false report and they force the boyfriend to make a phone call to his ex to get her to admit what she did while the cops record the call. Every time the guy shows any reticence to take part, they threaten him with arrest for the micrograms of pot in the ashtray. At one point, one cop even lunges at this poor sap as if he's gonna beat the shit out of him for hesitating to help investigate his ex-girlfriend. There were so many injustices in that little segment it'd be tough to count them all.

      But the Cops segment that really got me was when the police roll up to a few minority youths on the street, pile out, and put everybody up against a wall. There's no drugs found. There's no articulable reason for the cops to even talk to these kids other than a vague assertion that a group standing around like that must be up to no good. The one thing they do find is a wad of cash on one kid - maybe a couple of hundred dollars in mostly small bills, making a wad that looks more impressive than it really should. So what do these paragons of public service do, right there on camera? THEY TAKE IT FROM HIM!!! They literally took the money, one cop sticks it in his pocket, and they tell the kid that if he wants his money back, he has to bring his parents to the police station to get it back. Later on, hat in hand, mom and dad and son show up and appropriately grovel in front of this piece-o-shit cop, get a talking-to about how their son is headed down a bad path, and are given back the money. Their pitiful protest that their son has a job and had just gotten paid is barely heard on the tape and completely ignored by the big, bad gang of boys in blue who hold court over them.

      OK, aside from destroying any respect for the cops that the viewer might have started out with, what did this incident accomplish? It showed that Cops could air proof positive of the most egregious bad behavior by police officers and most people are actually stupid enough to sit back and absorb it all as entertainment, without protest. The term "sheeple" comes to mind.

    42. Re:How can they do that? by rark · · Score: 1

      Fixed. Thank you for the heads up.

      Esspecially as I have never heard of Mr. Howdershelt, and it appears that he writes some very interesting fiction. Purely on the amusement value of his various self-written bio blurbs ("I was born at a very early age. I joined the army in order to dodge the draft...") I think I'm going to have to read some.

    43. Re:How can they do that? by sootman · · Score: 1

      Gack! Stupid brain. OK, I found it again. (although googling shows a lot more quotes of 4 than 5.)

      soap, ballot, jury, witness, and ammo.

      Not that mine is better, I just heard different, that's all.

      --
      Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
  10. I spent 8 hours in jail for this by spun · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I was coming home from a party in LA thrown by CRAPTV (the folks who brought us 'Orgasmo') and I made the mistake of getting a ride from a fellow party goer who was slightly tipsy. The cops stopped her after she made a right turn from the left lane. At the time, all I had was a Hawaii state ID. The cops couldn't find me in the computer system, so they said, "Well, legally, we can hold you for up to three days while we try to find out who you are." I was in a cell for eight hours. Finally they came in and said, "We found you. You're free to go." No apology, of course. Welcome to Kalifornia, may we see your papers?

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
    1. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by scribblej · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Unreal! I'm not a lawyer... so someone who is, please tell me how this is legal!

    2. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Let me get this straight. You read slashdot but you go to parties and drive around with girls?
      dude we know your lying.

    3. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by rshimizu12 · · Score: 1

      I heard a similar story: I used to to do a lot bike racing. So if you are riding your bike and you are not carrying a drivers license a cop can hold you until someone identifies you.

    4. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unreal! I'm not a lawyer... so someone who is, please tell me how this is legal!

      Patriot Act.

    5. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Similar story about being detained illegally....

      one evening, i was riding with a few friends to go pick up some computer parts from someone. we get to our destination and the driver - who knew the guy, ran in to grab the stuff, just a couple of drives and some ram. while he was in there, a police officer pulled up, asked me and my friend (sitting in the back seat) what we were doing there. We told him - he demanded ID. Following the guise of "Well, I have nothing to hide - here." He procedes to check our ID's. He comes back after seeing that I had minor history, says he wants to check the car. Not knowing that the driver had a 'bud' of marijuana under his seat (note: under the driver's seat) He sees that, puts me in cuffs. Takes me down to the station, and doesnt even bother with the driver. After about an hour of asking for a phone call to call a lawyer, as well as trying determine just why I -was- there, he proceeded to tell me to shut up or he would make me. I said "I'm just trying to excercise my rights." Well, I guess he took that as "being smart" so he came, open the cell, back handed me across the face twice and said that I'd better just shut up. I decided to get "smart" at that time, telling him: "I hope you feel more like a man for hitting someone you know isn't going to hit you back." He turned red and walked away....waited about 15 minutes (for the redness of my face to go away, I assume) and took a 'mug shot' (with no numbers, mind you) and told me to leave. Shame of it is, the best I could get out of the department was a written apology. Even more shamefull is that this isn't the first time I've been harassed by an officer of the law. On another occasion, I was targetted for having a 'Phish' sticker on the rear glass of my car. I was broke down, waiting for a tow truck. They searched me, searched the car. They never offered any assitance, asked if I need to call for a tow, nothing, it was straight to the point: "Where's the weed?" they asked. They felt there was something missing since they didn't find anything.
      Walking back to their car to leave, the one officer jeered with a snicker, "You might want to take that sticker out of youer window..." and then he proceeded to peel out onto the road from behind me.

      From those nights, I've lost most of my regard that I once had for police officers. Luckily, I have not lost my regard for my fellow man.

      I may not have a completely clean record, but I'm no criminal by any stretch - I'm merely trying to get past my follies and live life. I'm an Eagle Scout, Assistant Scoutmast, and a deacon at my church - go figure.

      Sorry for being off topic, but I just felt like sharing.

    6. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Rick+Zeman · · Score: 1

      was coming home from a party in LA thrown by CRAPTV (the folks who brought us 'Orgasmo') and I made the mistake of getting a ride from a fellow party goer who was slightly tipsy. The cops stopped her after she made a right turn from the left lane. At the time, all I had was a Hawaii state ID. The cops couldn't find me in the computer system, so they said, "Well, legally, we can hold you for up to three days while we try to find out who you are." I was in a cell for eight hours. Finally they came in and said, "We found you. You're free to go." No apology, of course. Welcome to Kalifornia, may we see your papers?

      You were a passenger? And you were sober? When did this happen?

    7. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, you got thrown in the drunk tank. It's a trick cops use to keep intoxicated people off the street, they just detain you till the morning and let you go.

    8. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Mad_Rain · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I had a similar experience happen to me in Oklahoma in 1998 (so we can't blame the Patriot Act for that), where I was driving with a Maryland driver's liscense, and got pulled over after leaving a party. I was sober, my passenger was not. They were about to let me go, but because my liscense didn't show up in their computer, I was arrested for driving with a false ID. Fortunately, my friends came to bail me out after about an hour.

      Of course, the first thing they did was take me to a different party so I could have a few beers, but that's another story. ;)

      --
      "What do you think?" "I think 'What, do you think?!'"
    9. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Shame of it is, the best I could get out of the department was a written apology.

      Dude, take your written apology and run to a lawyer who will take a case on contingency. It sounds open & shut, expecially if they apologize in writing.

    10. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by spun · · Score: 1

      Yes, I was a passenger. No, I wasn't sober. I just wasn't drunk. Not my drug of choice. I was pretty clear headed, though, as I don't like to get too wild at parties, especially with people I work with. It happened in early spring of 2000.

      --
      - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
    11. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      I'm an Eagle Scout, Assistant Scoutmast, and a deacon at my church

      Do you like little boys too?

      That would complete the set...

    12. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nice try. This bullshit was going on long before the Patriot Act was around.

    13. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by soft_guy · · Score: 1

      And did you sue for false arrest?

      --
      Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
    14. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by rindeee · · Score: 5, Insightful

      In California they do this in order to determine whether or not you're an illegal, in which case that will give you a drivers license, food stamps, free tuition at the local community college and more. In this case you only received 8 hours of free room and board until such time as they realized that you're a US tax payer. God bless those happy liberals.

    15. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by spun · · Score: 1

      It was the morning. I wasn't drunk AT ALL. I was with someone who was. She got off with a ticket, and having her car impounded, but she walked and I did time.

      --
      - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
    16. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Endive4Ever · · Score: 1

      Actually, part of the reason for all the hassles that normal people face at the airport, on the road, etc. are the result of the paranoid anti-discrimination policies that the police follow. They can't just screen 'Arab-appearing' people because they'd be slapped down for discrimination (the definition of 'discrimination' has to do with discerning through observation, it's only a 'bad word' because it's been made so). So they have to hassle everybody evenly, thus using 100 times the resources on non-problems.

      --
      ---
    17. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Posted as AC basically because I feel like it: A friend (a /. subscriber with a much lower uid than mine, to boot) was at my house when he suffered a seizure. I was falling asleep in the next room when this took place. Friend comes to, flips out when he discovers he's surrounded by EMT's. (Several months later, he followed the seizure > freakout alogrithm in public, so this unfortunately not an isolated incident.) Sheriffs show up right behind EMS, start questioning everyone. Since I was nearly asleep when all hell broke loose, and prefer a low level of ambient light as a matter of course, I'm agitated and my pupils are dilated. Cop asks to have a brief looksee through the house, which I give him, then swears that at least one of us must've been doing something, accuses me of lying about it in front of my mother and his, orders me out onto the patio (away from witnesses) and orders me to answer the same round of questions. I do, and explain to him politely that if he's that convinced I'm under the influence, maybe I oughtta be taken in for testing immediately. He backs down. (What Fourth Amendment was that again?)

    18. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by chimpo13 · · Score: 3, Informative

      In California you are required to provide ID, as pointed out in a couple of college classes in the California State University system. Both professors said California is the only state that requires this. So even if Hiibel wins the court case, nothing will change in this fine state.

    19. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by spun · · Score: 1

      You believe this? Then tell me why, say, black people get stopped by cops far more often than white people? And hassling people because they look 'Arabic?' That sure would have stoped ol' Tim McVeigh. This is a problem in America: people for whom the system has worked reasonably well have no call to question whether it works that well for everyone. They just assume it does, because that thought is comforting. If it doesn't work for someone, they assume that it is that person's fault, not the system's.

      --
      - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
    20. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by flacco · · Score: 5, Funny
      From those nights, I've lost most of my regard that I once had for police officers. Luckily, I have not lost my regard for my fellow man.

      just give it awhile, you'll get there.

      note to moderators: not funny.

      --
      pr0n - keeping monitor glass spotless since 1981.
    21. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by cfuse · · Score: 1
      I was in a cell for eight hours.

      And I thought I'd never get laid that night, boy was I wrong!

    22. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He dosen't read Slashdot he's only here for the geek chicks.

    23. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If Hibel wins the case in the US supreme court, that will change in California.

    24. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Felinoid · · Score: 2

      You gave him a Hawaii ID and still went to jail?
      That is just wrong.

      But I think I can do you one better.
      In California even. I gave him a California state ID. No he wanted a dam NIGHT PERMIT. I've never heard of a night permit. Nobody I know knows anything about it. I haven't a clue where to get one. Thankfully he didn't arrest me but... Ick.

      I work late nights. I desided to stand outside for a while becouse around that time a certen jerk likes to show up and threaton to break into the building. I wanted to get his liccens plate so I could give it to the police.

      Instead I get super cop who wants to arrest ME for standing on the sidewalk infront of the building where I work.

      --
      I don't actually exist.
    25. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by ashkar · · Score: 1

      I'm sure you know by now that your biggest mistake was allowing him to search the car. NEVER give permission to search anywhere or anything including your person. If the search is legal, no big deal, but, if you verbally protest to the search, either the cop will give up or he will go ahead and search, the results of which would be thrown out of any court. Plus, illegal searches are just asking for a lawsuit.

    26. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by operagost · · Score: 1
      Then tell me why, say, black people get stopped by cops far more often than white people?
      Because the crime rate is higher among black Americans. Blame that on society if you will, but it's a fact.
      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    27. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by operagost · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Actually, since this has gone to the federal Supreme Court, it will take precedence over state laws. That California law will become void. Of course, whether California actually decides to obey that is a good question, since now its cities are apparently allowed to function as rogue, anarchic states (re: San Francisco).

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    28. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by chimpo13 · · Score: 1

      Based on my basic mistrust of the gub'mint, I'd think someone in California would have to go to court over it.

    29. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Unordained · · Score: 1

      so, what if you're an out-of-state pedestrian with no need for a driver's license (which isn't exactly ID as such)? you're not required to have a passport, not required to have a driver's license, not required to have a state's alternative ID card, etc. ... so, you can't enter the state of california unless you have ID to show if you're asked? that's lame.

    30. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      My cousin is a cop in a medium-sized city of the USA and he's let me read his "cop-only" books about how to conduct car searches. The one thing they all stress is how to get people to give you permission to search their cars. It's all about asking things like "you don't have anything to hide, do you?" or "You mind if I just look in the front seat there?" (because once you allow a search, you can't restrict where in the car they can look).

      If a cop asks if he or she can search your car, you say "no." If they tell you that it'll just take a second, you say "no." Keep saying no. The only way they can search that car is to arrest you and to impound it, and (a) this involves a lot of paperwork which they're not gonna want to do just to hassle you, and (b) if they don't find anything and fail to have probable cause for the bust you can sue the department.

      Finally, get rid ofditch the Phish sticker. That's just stupid. Yeah, it's not fair and technically it's profiling, but y'know what? Profiling is done for a reason. People with Phish or Grateful Stickers are more likely to have pot on board. Slip under the radar and you're less likely to have to deal with a traffic stop at all.

    31. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by TheLink · · Score: 1

      "Then tell me why, say, black people get stopped by cops far more often than white people?"

      If black people commit significantly more crimes than white people per population size then that might be a good enough reason.

      Sucks to be labeled, but I sure bet a springbok ain't gonna make friends with a cheetah anytime soon, even if it's genuinely friendly.

      --
    32. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Do you like little boys too?
      That's a low blow and you know it. Grow up. Cheers
    33. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I just scanned the Civil and Penal codes for CA. No requirement for ID except for firearms dealers.

      The vehicle code requires you to carry your license if you're driving a car, but if you can prove you were licensed when they stopped you, the court has to let you go.

    34. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by powerg3 · · Score: 1

      Based on my basic mistrust of the gub'mint, I'd think someone in California would have to go to court over it.

      No. If Hiible wins this case, and the US Supreme Court agrees that it was an unconstitutional, it will retroactively make California's law null and void.

      --
      Wild Eeep!
    35. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by iminplaya · · Score: 3, Informative

      I'm going to blow off some karma here and be redundant, because it's important for people to be aware(beware?) of this. Not to diminish yours or other's bad experience, but you all have nothing on this guy.

      --
      What?
    36. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by spun · · Score: 1

      Maybe I was unclear, the figures I saw were for Orange county, California, for traffic stops. Black people make up 20% of the population there, but account for 80% of traffic stops. Explain that.

      --
      - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
    37. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by chimpo13 · · Score: 1

      I don't think Nevada or most states have a law saying that you must have ID. But California does, so I'm guessing it's separate here.

      And San Francisco isn't acting as an anarchastic city -- most laws are followed. Most people would benefit if everyone had something to do with their life instead of trying to mind other people's business. If it doesn't affect you, what difference does it make? It makes no difference in my life if people of the same sex want to marry, so why should my opinion count?

    38. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Jaysyn · · Score: 1

      In Florida it's illegal to not have *some* form of ID on you if you are over 18. Either that or I've been lied to by multiple cops.

      Jaysyn

      --
      There is a war going on for your mind.
    39. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by spun · · Score: 1

      No doubt. Glad I'm a reasonably clean-cut white male, otherwise the whole thing could have gone down a lot differently. The guy you mention? His name is legion. Most Americans just don't want to face up to how bad things really are. Shot nine times in the back while asleep by officers who had no warrant. The officers were cleared of all wrongdoing. In the words of Dave Chappelle, "Just sprinkle some crack on him and let's get outta here!"

      --
      - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
    40. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I could easily believe you've been lied to by multiple cops. They will say whatever they have to in order to get their way. I also would believe that they might honestly believe that to be true even if its not, police rarely have a significantly better grasp of the criminal code than the average educated citizen. And the law books are so glutted with crap that even lawyers don't have to look things up, especially in areas outside their specialty.

    41. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's still BS, since you don't have to have been issued a drivers license to ride a bike.

    42. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Even California has to follow the supremes' decisions. They declared in 1979 that a statute requiring production of and ID on request is unconstitutional. No need to take my word for it, the decision is Brown v. Texas 443 U.S. 47.

    43. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      Very simple, the vehicle was stopped for reckless driving (a crime) and the occupents could not be identified. They have a right to detain you until they can verify your identity.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    44. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "If a cop asks if he or she can search your car, you say "no." If they tell you that it'll just take a second, you say "no." Keep saying no. "

      Never say no to a search. You say no that means you are trying to hide something; which means they have probable cause.
      The correct responce would go something similar to this.
      Officer: Do you have anything illegal in your car?
      Driver: No.
      Officer: I am going to go ahead and search your car.
      or if they are nice
      Officer: Is it ok if I search your car?
      Driver: You may search my car officer as soon as you tell me your probable cause.

      If someone else has a better statement please let me know. As far as I can see, saying yes as long as they tell you why is the best route to go.

    45. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      YOu gave him permission to search the house, therefore, there was no 4th amaendment violation

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    46. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      What false arrest, by the guy's own admission he had been drinking. He gave them permission to search the car and they found ilegal drugs, and they couldn't find his ID in the system and thus could not verify who he was, or if he was of legal age to drink

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    47. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Okay, we want to play bad cop stories, here's one for you. First of all, I'm not American, I'm Canadian. A group of businessmen, including myself, were in Seattle for a weekend cycle around Lake Washington. There were 14 of us, and we were spending a ton of money in Seattle.

      On the Sunday morning, I woke early ( about 6:30 ), so I freshened up, and decided to get an early breakfast at the restaurant up the road from the motel we were in, where we had planned to meet at 9:00. Being so early, I drove down the main street, looking for a 7-11 or something that was open to buy a book or magazine to read while waiting. I found one about a mile down the road.

      On the way back, I had no idea where I was, so I was looking for familiar buildings, the motel, etc.. to get my bearings. I was driving slowly, and checking for traffic. but there was only 1 car on the road about 3 blocks behind me.

      I saw the name of the road I was looking for on the street sign, checked traffic, then moved into the left turn lane and stopped at the red light. It happened so unexpectedly, that I neglected to turn on my left turn signal, but at 7:00 am Sunday, with only 1 other car on the road, I really didn't worry about it.

      That other car raced up behind me, turned on it's flashing lights and siren, so I turned left and into a parking lot. The cop asked for my drivers license, after looking at and seeing the Canadian Plates. I told him I was lost, and only just recognized the street I was looking for. For some reason, the cop was quite belligerent and hostile, even though I was cooperating with him. I actually became concerned for my own safety from this individual. There was noone around, and this guy could do whatever he wanted, and make up any story afterward. I was so afraid, that I stopped saying anything other than 'Yes sir.', and 'No Sir.'. I only wanted to get away from him, because he actually made me think he was irrational enough to shoot me, or beat me with his nightstick. No shit, this guy had me in fear for my life. Nice way to treat tourists.

      The local sponsors of that weekend activity were actually quite concerned about this incident when I later told them what had happened.

    48. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Grishnakh · · Score: 1

      Most people would benefit if everyone had something to do with their life instead of trying to mind other people's business. If it doesn't affect you, what difference does it make?

      It doesn't matter if it doesn't affect you; if it offends your religious beliefs, then it should be banned. Of course, this means we need to have laws requiring that women wear bourqas because some Muslim will be offended if they see womens' faces in public, and we also need a law making me Emperor, because my religion requires this.

    49. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i disagree,
      telling a cop no when asked if they can search a car is not probable cause. now when you get nervous and stumble to the next question the officer is going to ask "why not are you hiding somethign ilegal in there" then they might have probable cause.

      i generaly tell them no you can't search the vehicle and when asked why not, i state because i was told the constatution of the united states says i didn't need to give you consent to do it. if you have a reason then your going to do it without even talking to me about it. only once has this backfired on me. at a dot scalehouse in kentucky on interstate 64. later after complaining to thier superiors, i was issued an apoligy and a letter stating corective actions have been taken against the 2 officers involved. i don't drive a truck any more and obviously they didn't find anything. i know that when they want to get away with stuff they will and you have to be polite and profesional in the way it gets resolved. i suspect they pulled me in because i have long hair, a scruffy beard, and was waering a shit that did a paridy of bugerking but said refer kind and had to twisted up joints around the words "i love this joint" that resembled the burger king logo. some people say i deserved tio be stoped but i say, it shouldn't matter

    50. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Imperator · · Score: 1

      Uh, if the US Supreme Court says asking for ID without cause violates the US Constitution, then it will have effectively nullified the California state law.

      --

      Gates' Law: Every 18 months, the speed of software halves.
    51. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Wolfrider · · Score: 1

      --When you get your phone call, get a hold of your family (or someone you know in the area) - and tell them to SEND A LAWYER!

      --
      .
      == WolfriderV6 == I'm willing to admit that *I just might* be wrong... Are you??
    52. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by commodoresloat · · Score: 1
      I was targetted for having a 'Phish' sticker on the rear glass of my car.

      Musical taste: no longer just a good idea; it's the law.

    53. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because they are poor and shouldn't be able to aford cars so they must have stoolen them. everything put in place should keep them poor too.

      also because they commit more crime. if they would just stay in thier own neiborhoods then we wouldn't have to be worried about them..

      it could also be because blacks just give more reasons but that one is too obvious. it is a known observation that blacks have a higher disreguard for general laws than others. but that could be a skewed stat based on more blacks getting busted because more blacks are being stoped, but truthfully i'm not really worried about whites robbing me. i would be likley to live in an encouter with white criminals were black criminals tend to be more violent.

      by the way.. i'm trying to show some ignorance here.

    54. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by JimBobJoe · · Score: 1

      At the time, all I had was a Hawaii state ID. The cops couldn't find me in the computer system, so they said, "Well, legally, we can hold you for up to three days while we try to find out who you are."

      This is a story that is often repeated in jurisdictions that have had photo ID cards for a long time. For some reason, at some point, the photo ID isn't all that trusted anymore by law enforcement, and so its value drops tremendously, and you get into the odd position that the card is essentially worthless.

      I have heard of this in central/south america, Italy, et cetera. Cops suddenly decide that they don't like your ID, haul your ass in, and keep you for a few hours until some other identity check is made.

      Oh, I guess it's a form of harassment as well, though the above situation I call a "photo ID trust failure."

    55. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Take the Phish sticker out of your car, dummy. Sheesh. It's like having a big red target on your shirt while hunting.

    56. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      lol.. this isn't really about religious beliefs. mariage is nothign more than a way to establish shared property and the governship of children. all of wich can be done easily without being maried except the children. becuase same sex couples can have children the way regular people do there is no need for mariage happen.
      the society at large has described what it belives as moral. same sex copulation is found to be repulsive by the majority of people and there is why it is not legal.

      i'm not saying it is rite or wrong but most view it as step in alowing other behavior that they find moraly wrong to exist. rape and sex with 13 year old boys by 35 year old males is in my opinion one of them. the only real thing keeping these ilegal is that society at large for one reason or another find it wrong. religion aside, i know a couple gay and lesbian people as well as some athiest that don't find any religios resoning to why the later is wrong. they just know it is. same with most other about the same sex mariage. religion isn't involved in most people views of it, they just don't want to consent to the behavior.

    57. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      he was the same jerk.. just didn't want ot blow his cover

    58. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by jonnystiph · · Score: 1

      I got a good one for you. Circa 1990, 5 people driving in a small car. We were on our way to band practice. All of us were dressed in a fashion that would be "punk" (mohawks, leather jacket, etc..). We got pulled over for no reason what so ever, literally. The cops got us all out of the car, lined us up against the side of the road, took pictures and told us they were investigating "nazi" activity. Mind you the person driving was of a hispanic descent. After they pointed at us and laughed for a bit, we were "free to go". WTF?

      --

      If we don't make light of everything, we are just stumbling in the dark - Blank

    59. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      spun (1352):
      "Black people make up 20% of the population there, but account for 80% of traffic stops. Explain that. "

      There's a perfectly good reason for that. But first, I'd like to point out that in a normal city, it's very difficult for an officer to determine the race of the driver before he's pulled them over. When an officer is out doing traffic, he looks for traffic violations, NOT for skin color. An example: Officer says to himself: "That vehicle just did 90MPH in a school zone. I think I'll pull it over." The officer doesn't say to himself "This guy's driving while black, I think I'll pull him over." - simply because it's too hard to tell who is driving the vehicle until the officer walks up to the door of the vehicle. The end result of 80% of traffic stops may be that the drivers are black, but I can say with confidence that it's a coincidence more than anything else.

      In your example, if the [incomplete] figures are correct, these statistics still don't tell the whole truth. There's a VERY good chance that the sections of the county with a high density black population (Read: The Projects, etc.) recieve a vastly increased number of patrols. This is because these areas do produce an inordinate amount of crime, while containing a mostly black population. I'd like to believe that black people commit the exact same number of crimes that white folks do. If one could recreate a sector of the county, with the exact same culture and societal values, but populated with any other race, there would be the exact crime rate as before. Race has nothing to do with crimes commited. It's all a matter of how dense the population in any area is, and how many police units are there to observe the population's offences - not who makes up the population.

    60. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by DennyK · · Score: 1

      IANAL, but I am pretty sure that refusing to allow a police officer to search your vehicle is not in and of itself "probable cause". Unless they have another reason beyond your refusal, any search they do is illegal.

    61. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by plj · · Score: 1

      "Welcome to Kalifornia"

      Two options: Either
      a) You're native in Finnish (California is Kalifornia in Finnish), or
      b) You've used too much KDE

      --
      “Wait for Hurd if you want something real” –Linus
    62. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Endive4Ever · · Score: 1

      It doesn't matter what percentage of the population they make up. What percent of the criminals are black, and dressed in the 'street culture' fashion? It's time to get past 'race' and recognize people as individuals, and social problems as cultural, not genetic.

      --
      ---
    63. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This joke was funny the first time. Maybe even the second. At most, occurences 3-2947. Give it up.

    64. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      sorry, im not like you.

    65. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i never gave them permission it either case.

      in the first case, the officer opened the drivers door of the car - i asked him what he was doing, he told me to "shut up"

      in the second case, there was a co-worker of mine (we were county life-guards at the time - still with our shirts on btw) that the officer asked to open the door and startd searching through my car, again, without permission.

      i talked with a lawyer, but basically the outcome was that later down the road, itwould end up causing me more hassle as the case would most likely be thrown out just due to the fact that they wouldn't want a police department to look bad, and that it could cause me further to be a target.

    66. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by EllisDees · · Score: 1

      Refusing to allow a search is *not* probable cause. If it were, then the 'right' to say no really wouldn't exist.

      --
      -- Give me ambiguity or give me something else!
    67. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A Grand Jury is composed of Citizens not Police Officers.
      You can blame your fellow man for this travesty of justice, if that's what it was, obviously they thought it was justified base on the evidence presented to them. I'm sure they didn't read the spin presented on some questionable web site.
      As a person who is often called for jury duty and has served on some I can tell you that researching the case is forbidden and one must consider only the facts presented in court....PERIOD

    68. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by yack0 · · Score: 1

      Well, if you have a phish sticker on your car, the cops are naturally going to assume you smoke pot. If you smoke pot, chances are good you're possessing pot. Let's be realistic about this? What's the percentage of pot-smoking phishheads? Dunno, but the impression to the general public is that "They're the new grateful dead" and that's cause enough for most. Right or wrong, that's the impression.

      I gave up bumper stickers on my cars over a decade ago. Sometimes I'm concerned about my BOFH license plate, but not too much. Still, the only sticker on my car is a white Apple logo on the side window. Nothing else. there's no need to give anyone cause for thinking anything about you.

      I've become the privacy person lately and don't like giving details of myself to people unecessarily. THANKFULLY identity theft is my reason I give when people ask, so identity theft has been good for wackos like me.

      Good luck.

      --
      -- There is no sig line, only Zuul.
    69. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Kombat · · Score: 1

      Cops only need one of two things to search your vehicle: probable cause, or your permission. The problem is that just about anything can be construed as "probable cause." Expired tags, misdemeanor record, or even simply being pulled over in a neighborhood known for drug deals. I've even heard that it cops have successfully argued in court that the simple fact that the driver refused permission to search constituted probable cause that he was hiding something, so the cop was justified in going ahead and searching anyway.

      --
      Like woodworking? Build your own picture frames.
    70. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by 0111+1110 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If it was the "vehicle" who was stopped, why not ask the "vehicle" for its ID and why it had kidnapped all those people inside of it?

      Since when does merely being a passenger in a vehicle constitute a crime? If a city bus hits a pedestrian, would you encarcerate all the passengers until you could "verify their identity"? This just gets better and better.

      --
      Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
    71. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      Being a passenger isn't a crime, but the author admited that he had been drinking. It doesn't take much to smell alcohol + reckless driving + no way to verify is the person is of age to be drinking or if they're even who they say they are and the cops can hold you untill they verify your ID

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    72. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Being a passenger isn't a crime, but the author admited that he had been drinking.

      Rubbish. He may have been drinking, particularly since he'd been at a party, but he did not say that he had been drinking.

    73. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by graikor · · Score: 1

      Not so much rogue entities, but cities that are also counties apparently can decide to follow the actual Constitution of the State of California, rather than an unconstitutional act that takes away rights of California citizens based on sexual orientation.

      ... and good for SF! It's about time that somebody stands up to the people who want to establish Christianity as the Official Religion of the United States of America.

    74. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by michael_cain · · Score: 2, Interesting
      you're not required to have a passport, not required to have a driver's license, not required to have a state's alternative ID card, etc. ...

      While it is still feasible to function as an adult in the US without some form of photo ID, it has become quite difficult from a practical perspective to do so. Without such an ID, you can't:

      • Operate or rent an automobile,
      • Travel by plane,
      • Buy alcohol (unless you have enough gray hair, like me, that no one questions that you're 21),
      • Access many commercial services (my bank will not lease you a safe-deposit box without photo ID),
      • Be employed at many companies.

      The last one is perhaps most unsettling. When I started at my last position, I had to provide photo ID as evidence that I was who said I was and that I was a citizen. A passport did the job nicely, otherwise you needed a drivers license (or state alternative) and a certified birth certificate. My 17-year-old daughter applied for a near-minimum-wage job which required a drug test and the testing firm required photo ID -- no ID, no test, no job. Once people become accustomed to showing their "papers" on demand in their private lives, they will probably be more willing to do so in their public lives as well.

      I fully expect that "papers" will become a requirement in the US during my lifetime. The world has become a more dangerous place, and will continue to do so. For example, we are almost to the point where technology will allow a lunatic with the resources of a small country at their disposal to engineer "designer diseases" and use them as weapons -- much easier and cheaper than building a nuke. Assume an epidemic killing a million people, and it is more likely that the Supreme Court will change their mind about the balance between "unreasonable searches and seizures" and "provide for the common defense and general welfare".

    75. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Grishnakh · · Score: 1

      No, this has everything to do with religion, even if people don't want to believe it. They find it "repulsive" because it's against a belief system that they either directly accept or they got indirectly from others. The belief is irrational because they're interfering in others' lives.

      The difference with rape and homosexuality is that rape is nonconsensual, and interferes with another person's rights. This is why it's illegal, not because "society at large" doesn't like it. Sex with 13 year old boys is the same way; minors can't consent to sex like that. Crimes like this will always be illegal (I should hope) because they involve one person interfering with another person's rights.

      The fact is that homosexual marriage doesn't interfere with anyone's rights at all; it just offends people because they have irrational religious ideals. In some countries, people have religious ideals that women should be covered at all times, and they should be stoned to death if they violate this. Do you also think this is acceptable, or is it barbaric? I call it barbaric, no matter what the people in that society believe. Restricting homosexual marriage is the same thing, just on a different scale.

    76. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      Read further down in the thread. He did say he had been drinking.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    77. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by chimpo13 · · Score: 1

      That happened in 1998. What happened in the civil court case?

    78. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Tackhead · · Score: 1
      > Driver: You may search my car officer as soon as you tell me your probable cause.
      >
      > If someone else has a better statement please let me know

      "No, Officer, it's not OK. If you're asking my permission, it's because you need my permission, and therefore you don't have probable cause. If you have probable cause, you don't need my consent. I'm not trying to get in your way, Officer, just going by what my Lawyer friend (or if you have one, my Cop relative) said the rules were."

    79. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Unordained · · Score: 1

      from the linux fortune: oppression and how to make the masses scream for it

      What I find interesting about ID is that knowing "who" the person is really isn't very relevant in many cases. If it's a driver's license, all you need is some way to show that a particular person has the authorization to drive a motor vehicle (didn't it pertain only to "commercial" vehicles at some point in the past?) -- a photo of you plus a seal plus something that says you can drive is enough. You don't need to know who they are, just that they can drive. If you want to check past history of accidents, warnings, tickets, etc. you can include a DL number, which is tied to other DL numbers in the database, giving you back-history on the person, still without knowing who they are.

      Besides, names are such horrible primary keys. Even SSN isn't absolutely unique. Name + birthday isn't ... we've been popping up methods of identifying people left and right, and we're not good at it. Fingerprints? Retinal scans? DNA sequences? There are exceptions to these (including, for example, missing the required organs.)

      And if CAPPS II is any indication, our government is going to go in the direction of "your name sounds vaguely like the name of a suspect somewhere, so we're going to detain you" -- being good at identifying people is no longer important?

      I don't feel any safer thanks to ID checks. Checking ID getting into a ball game? Checking ID to get into a store, or leave your house? Nah. Just make sure they don't have a bomb or a knife if you like: I really don't care if a terrorist flies on a plane with me, so long as he stays away from the cockpit and doesn't blow up the plane.

      There are alternatives to the type of ID check we've been doing. We just haven't spent any time looking into them.

    80. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by ChaosDiscord · · Score: 2, Interesting
      In California you are required to provide ID, ... So even if Hiibel wins the court case, nothing will change in this fine state.

      It'll depend on the ruling. If the Supreme Court rules that demanding ID without probable cause amounts to an unreasonable search, or that holding people solely for refusing to provide ID is unreasonable seizure, then California will have to change. By no means a certain thing, but it's a real possibility.

    81. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by ProtonMotiveForce · · Score: 1

      Right.. I'm sure they "spun" the entire thing and the guy was actually sitting on his chair with a machine gun pointed at the officers. Probably they're all lucky they got out alive.

      Don't be a fucking idiot.

    82. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous+Coed · · Score: 1

      The usual spelling is KKKalifornia.

    83. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > It's like having a big red target on your shirt while hunting.

      Ummmm... When hunting, most people are looking for deer, not big red circles. Maybe if you had said "It's like wearing a deer suit while hunting."

    84. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > she walked and I did time.

      Not to downplay the horrible thing that was done to you, but being in jail a couple hours isn't exactly "doin' time."

    85. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > The world has become a more dangerous place

      AAARGH, NO IT HAS NOT. The world is just as dangerous as it was 100 years ago. In most cases it is less dangerous. The REAL difference is that Americans can now see how dangerous the REST of the world can be and we (well, not me, really) are getting paranoid about it and reacting unduly.

      Almost any law passed since September 10th 2001 (namely, those concerned with "terrorism") is stupid and irrational.

    86. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > Fingerprints? Retinal scans? DNA sequences? There are exceptions to these (including, for example, missing the required organs.)

      If you are missing most fingers and both eyes, you probably shouldn't be driving anyway. As for missing DNA, well, there's a much more serious problem going on.

    87. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by soft_guy · · Score: 1

      He didn't say anything about illegal drugs. All he was arrested for was being a passenger in a car.

      --
      Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
    88. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You want to bring copkillers to justice, but killercops are ok?

    89. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I mistook where thise post was in the thread. Sorry.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    90. Re:I spent 8 hours in jail for this by rthille · · Score: 1

      You should have got a better lawyer. A coworker of mine got $250K out of the City of Los Angeles after being arrested for being black...

      --
      Awesome furniture, accessories and cabinetry in Santa Rosa, CA: http://humanity-home.com/
  11. Putting a stop to this now. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    No doubt there will be posters who are want to argue the facts in the case, to argue the internet does'nt tell boths sides of the story. But to pre-empt them: it doesn't matter! The case is going before the Supreme court because the courts based their rulings on a state law that requires ID to be shown when requested by an officer. None of that other stuff matters a wit; it was after all only a $250 fine anyway.

    Thus this case really is about whether or not it is legal to require people to show ID.

    I think this is ridiculous, since this would imply that you must carry ID at all times just in case.

    1. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by fishbowl · · Score: 4, Insightful


      "I think this is ridiculous, since this would imply that you must carry ID at all times just in case."

      That's why the Supreme Court will have trouble deciding against this guy's appeal. There isn't a national ID card that they can require, and they, being a Federal court, cannot make a requirement that all citizens of the several states must carry a certain ID, because there isn't one that they can specify in their jurisdiction. They can't order the States to require an id card. They can't create a national id card because that would require an act of Congress.

      The question is about whether a State has the authority to require a State ID to be given on demand. The State DOES have that authority, because it isn't expressly forbidden by Federal law. As it should be. Lesson learned: Choose your Local and State government wisely. Be part of the process that puts the local guys in power. Local politicians become national politicians. It's a hell of a lot easier to reach them before they grow up!

      IANAL, and I'm especially not a Supreme Court justice on a republican-appointed court.

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
    2. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by jcr · · Score: 1

      IIRC, the rule in California is that *if* you have a DMV-issued ID on you, you have to show it, because the ID belongs to the state, not to you. You are not required to have it on you though, unless you're driving a car.

      -jcr

      --
      The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    3. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Eric+Smith · · Score: 4, Insightful
      The question is about whether a State has the authority to require a State ID to be given on demand. The State DOES have that authority, because it isn't expressly forbidden by Federal law.
      The state might have that authority. Or it might not. That will be decided by the Supreme Court. States do not have the authority to do absolutely anything not prohibited by Federal law; the U.S. Constitution limits States as well.

      I think a convincing argument can be made that the police demanding an ID for no legitimate reason is a violation of Fourth Amendment rights and the right to privacy. (The Supreme Court has ruled that there is a right to privacy, even though it is not a right specifically enumerated in the Constitution.)

      A person should have the right to peaceably and lawfully go about their business without having to present identification.

    4. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by corinath · · Score: 0
      I think this is ridiculous, since this would imply that you must carry ID at all times just in case.

      In most cases I would agree with you 100%, but in this case, the guy was in his vehicle, which he had been operating on a public road. In this situation, it is required that you carry your ID (driver's license) with you for the duration. As for the cop stopping and seeing what was up with a guy parked on the side of the road, they often stop in that case to see if anything is wrong and when they do, they tend to ask for ID. Typically they will have already run the license plate, and becuase they are stopping, they want to see if the guy has any warrants or anything of that sort, such as driving on a suspended license, or owing two years of child support. I don't think it is too much to ask for the guy to comply, I would in his shoes.

      That being said, I think charging him with Delaying an Officer is rather silly, however, he was in his car, having driven it to that location, there is an expectation that he has his driver's license with him. Had he simply been walking down the street, the cop's request would have not made sense as there is no expectation that the person has a driver's license with them.

      --
      Hockey - Canada's gift to the world
    5. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by d34thm0nk3y · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The Supreme Court can rule it un-constitutional and have the law stricken. Which is the only acceptable answer, and is what any sane person wants. Also, it is the most likely outcome, I think. There is no way they are going to let this stand, even with the shift to the right.

    6. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 1

      unless you're driving a car.

      Is this actually the case or is this just a common belief? Am I required to carry the card with me when driving?

      I know it's illegal to drive without a license, but the license is different from the license card (which is a proof of license).

      My actual license is in some computer or filing cabinet at the DMV, right? This plastic thing with my picture on it is just a card.

      I've had cops and lawyers tell me both things. I can't find the actual law in the books.

      Recently, a friend of mine was in an accident (rear-ended, freeway, not their fault), and didn't have their license card on them. They knew their License number by heart, so they told that to the cop, and he just looked it up on the computer in the cop car. No problems.

      --
      "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
    7. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by jcr · · Score: 1

      Am I required to carry the card with me when driving?

      Whether it's a voilation not to have it on you is kind of moot..

      If you don't have it on you, the cop can write you a fix-it ticket requiring you to prove you have a license, and impound the car until you produce the proof. This will cost you a couple of hundred bucks for the towing + storage.

      --
      The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    8. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by culain · · Score: 1

      His daughter was driving the car not him, and thus he had no need to carry a driver's license.

    9. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Eh, RTFA... (a) his daughter was the one who had been driving and was in the car (b) he was standing outside the car smoking a cigarette.

    10. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by MemRaven · · Score: 1

      I was pulled over for speeding once in California and had forgotten my ID. In my citation was an entry for speeding and an entry for not carrying my Drivers License with me while driving. I didn't look up the specific statute (though it was enumerated in the citation), but that seems to imply that in California they can cite you for not having your drivers license with you.

    11. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by red+floyd · · Score: 1

      I was a passenger in a buddy's car, when he got pulled over for expired tags.

      He was cited for the tags, no proof of insurance in the car, and no licence in the car. He was able to bring proof of insurance to the court, and they dropped that, but he was still out the $$$ for no license on him.

      --
      The only reason we have the rights we have is that people just like us died to gain those rights. -- Cheerio Boy
    12. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by sangreal66 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Just because a law is bad does not make it unconstitutional. The Supreme Court cannot make laws, and allowing them to do so in cases we favor only grants them the power to do so in cases we don't. This is a fight that belongs in congress, not the courts.

    13. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by vortex_nz · · Score: 1

      well as you didn't bother to read the background. the guy wasn't driving his daughter was. He was also outside the vehicle at the time (leaning on the open passenger window talking to her). Thats pretty much off.

    14. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by flacco · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      I think this is ridiculous, since this would imply that you must carry ID at all times just in case.

      i've got it! let's make an id that everyone can carry if/when asked for. how about a Ron Jeremy fan club membership card? it could have a picture of him on there stroking his massive cock.

      --
      pr0n - keeping monitor glass spotless since 1981.
    15. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They don't make the laws, but they do decide whether the law is legal and reasonable. That, and interpretation of the law, is exactly what they are there for.

      The whole checks-and-balances thing is there to somewhat cripple the government so that it can't hurt the citizens too much. Any branch can prevent the other branches from doing something. The legislature has to make the laws, but they can't do anything about them. The executive branch can choose not to enforce laws. The judicial branch can decide that a law is illegal/inappropriate and get rid of it.

      I thought this story sounded odd, because I asked a police officer if I was required to carry ID once, and he said, basically, "No. What do you think this is, communist Russia?" I guess California is slightly better off in one little detail, still.

    16. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Sancho · · Score: 1

      Don't know about California, but in Texas, it's required that you have it on you. That's what the ticket says if you drive without a license. However, unless you get an asshole judge, once you go to them and show that you are a licensed driver, they'll throw that ticket out.

    17. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Easy enough:

      http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d06/vc12951.htm

      You are required to carry the licence with you when driving, but if you get cited for not having it, then they throw that out if you show it in court (the first couple of times).

      I did a quick scan of the civil and penal codes for CA, and I don't see a requirement for ID, except for firearms sales.

    18. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Phillup · · Score: 1

      Courts don't make law.

      You are being taken in by bad thinking if you think they have.

      Now, who whould have you think that the courts are "making laws"? That would be the people elected to make the laws... and too chicken shit to do it right for fear that they won't be re-elected.

      Many of these people, ironically... are lawyers.

      --

      --Phillip

      Can you say BIRTH TAX
    19. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by egc4ever · · Score: 1

      Judges "make" law all the time. This is an accepted and essential part of the common law system that we inherited from England. Although I agree with you that there are limits to what the courts can do, it is not correct to say that the courts cannot "make" law. As decided in Marbury v. Madison, it is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. When combined with the principle of stare decisis, that power cannot be said to be anything but the ability to "make" law...

    20. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by TWX · · Score: 1

      Am I required to carry the card with me when driving?

      I will actually agree that this is fair. This allows the state, which has granted you the priviledge of driving a way to verify that you are indeed a licensed driver. The officer has no practical way of identifying you as being licensed if you don't have the license present. The FCC has similar rules for ham radio operators; technically a ham radio operator is to have a copy of their license on hand whenever they're operating. This isn't particularly enforced, but it is technically the rule.

      As far as walking around goes, there is no reason to mandate ID to someone who isn't engaging in an activity that needs it. If I am going to buy alcohol, the barkeep has a mandate to verify that I am old enough to drink. He doesn't take down any information from my license, though, so I don't express much concern over that. Same goes for other age-controlled transactions. For regular stuff, though, there is no reason to have to present ID. None.

      --
      Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
    21. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Phillup · · Score: 1
      let's make an id that everyone can carry if/when asked for.

      Why don't we just skip all that and get straigt to the apocalypse already?
      He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
      Seems like a stretch... but, you have to start somewhere. Obviously requiring people to always have an ID would be unworkable... they might be naked. So, let's just go for the gusto and mark eveyone with "the number of the beast" and stop pretending that we aren't headed in that direction.
      --

      --Phillip

      Can you say BIRTH TAX
    22. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by sangreal66 · · Score: 1

      The parent implied that the Supreme Court should rule the law unconstitutional partly because its "what any sane person would want." My point was that it is not the duty of the court to rule based on what people want, or should have, but rather only on whether or not a law fits within the framework of the constitution.

    23. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "The question is about whether a State has the authority to require a State ID to be given on demand. The State DOES have that authority, because it isn't expressly forbidden by Federal law. As it should be."

      Not nessecarily. Esp. given interestate commerce, IDs can actualy fall into that. Likewise there can be a direct violation of the constituion if viewed in a certian light.

      "IANAL, and I'm especially not a Supreme Court justice on a republican-appointed court."

      *blinks* A justice is a justice. Don't go confusing "republican" and "democrate" with them.. its a moot point. Conseravtive and Liberal are more apt, but only just.

    24. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by sangreal66 · · Score: 1

      I always thought that the court doesn't have the power to rule on how reasonable a law is. Instead it was my belief that the court's duty was to decide whether or not a law violated the rights granted to the people in the Constitution. It would appear I was misguided on this point, and if that is the case then thank you for enlightening me.

    25. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Wavicle · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Quite honestly I think the state of Nevada knows it is treading on questionable grounds. If you read their brief in opposition of certiorari, they use some truly circular reasoning to try and sidestep the law in question. Notably:

      On one occasion Hiibel asked Dove why he needed to provide his identification. Dove explained that he needed Hiibel's identification because of the reported fight. During this encounter Hiibel even placed his hands behind his back and told Dove to take him to jail. In light of Hiibel's refusal to provide identification, Dove placed him under arrest for the crime of resisting an officer pursuant to NRS 199.280.


      Okay, so now that he has been arrested for not providing identification:

      Once a person is detained on reasonable suspicion they are considered to be seized under the Fourth Amendment. Davis v. Mississippi 394 U.S. 721 (1969); Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968).


      And then

      One of the questions put before this court is whether the right of privacy found in the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects a person from being compelled to provide identification after he is lawfully detained by an officer. The state contends that compelling a lawfully detained person to identify himself is reasonable when balancing the interests of law officers and a person's right of privacy and/or right to be free from arbitrary interference with law officers."


      Ummm... yeah... let's see... Officer says "let me see your I.D.", if you refuse he can detain you on reasonable suspicion, and now that you are lawfully detained the public interest is served by forcing you to identify yourself... *HOW* is it again that one is expected to be free from arbitrary interference with law officers?

      Sounds like they can arbitrarily get your ID legally to me.
      --
      Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.
      Edward Everett (1794 - 1865)
    26. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Kaki+Nix+Sain · · Score: 1
      Why do people assume that passage of Revelation was talking about events which would happen in the United States of America? How arrogant. As if the precursors of the apocalypse can't possibly take place elsewhere? There is a whole freaking planet you know.

      --

      (C) Kaki Sain, 2011. By reading this, you have illegally copied my property to your brain.

    27. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by egc4ever · · Score: 1

      You are correct in that the judiciary will not decide on the reasonabless of a law if they can discern a clear intention on the part of the legislature to accomplish that result. After all, legislatures are presumably elected to carry out the will of the people. In many cases, judges have no other choice but to enforce bad laws (except, of course, those that are unconstitutional or violate other principles).

      However, where the legislature's intent is unclear, or lacking entirely, it is up to the judiciary to say what the law is. Those decisions carry the force of law.

      In some jurisdictions, there are crimes that have been around forever, i.e., larceny, that are not defined by statute, but are nonetheless in effect. Courts rely on previous cases, or "common" or "judge-made," law, to proceed.

      Even when statutes have been enacted, case law is necessary to flesh out sometimes badly worded, overly brief or ambiguous passages in statutes.

    28. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by MrLint · · Score: 3, Interesting

      On a side note to this discussion i saw something wholly disturbing at a rest stop today : "Support out troops abroad and at home" it was a poster soliciting donations for the NYPD benevolent assoc. Frankly i am going to have nightmares for the rest of my life because of that. Civil law enforcement are not 'troops' and equating them as such really has the nauseating feeling of the blurring lines of the civilian and military. I am very much afraid that it may be way to late to turn away from the eventual police state.

      Keep these points in mind,

      * ceding more power to the govt causes it/them to want more (for reference please see the abuses of power at the FBI under JE hoover and the reforms that were put in place after his reign.)

      * the criminalization of civil matters (look at the actions of the RIAA MPAA, and the use of not only federal resources, but their own legally allowed goons to threaten and harass)

      * Govt influence is being bought and sold by big money (see again RIAA/MPAA and Senator Disney (Hollings)

      * The rather insane need by certain govt officials to amend the constitution to limit the freedoms and liberties of the citizenry (where as the document lays out the restrictions of the powers of the govt.)

      * The drive of some to also remove the miranda warning as to put people into a coercive situation with law enforcement and deprive them of at least the cognizance of their rights.

      * People being held without charges and without counsel.

      There are a lot of people that benefit from having these powers to arbitrarily make inconvenient people go away temporally or permanently, and even a well meaning leader may not be able to reverse the course.

    29. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by afidel · · Score: 1

      The don't need to make new law they just have to say that requiring ID is a violation of the 4th amendment. This court has shown itself to be a VERY big supporter of citizens rights under the 4th amendment RE:Kyllo v. US and others.

      --
      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
    30. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by AyeFly · · Score: 1

      Yes, a global ID will probably be an initiative put forth by the U.N. , perhaps in an effort to eradicate starvation in all lands by making everyone an ID card to track food shipments.

      though i have also seen some people in my area with barcodes tatooed on themselves... that might be an id idea also! that way, if you see a cute chick you want to meet... just grab your cuecat!

      --
      Sig- http://www.dreamhost.com/rewards.cgi?ayefly
    31. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Phillup · · Score: 1

      Who is assuming what?

      Are you saying that it couldn't happen in the US... or that I'm implying that it is?

      Personally, I think the whole thing (religion) is somebody's dope trip that weak minded people use as a crutch. So, I won't say that it is going to happen in any part of the world...

      The only part I can really defend is that I wasn't implying a connection between the US and Revelations.

      I'm implying a connection between having to carry an ID and Revelations. And, not because *I* believe in Revelations... but I know many who's brain turn to jello once you get into that territory.

      Sometimes, when you say stupid things to stupid people... something clicks... and the get it.

      --

      --Phillip

      Can you say BIRTH TAX
    32. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by tftp · · Score: 1
      It can be also speculated that the court's opinion has been formed already - because the Supreme Court could just reject the case, with no explanations, and the previous decision (against the guy) would stand.

      Since they took the case, the justices have reasonable expectation to come up with a ruling, and any ruling other than declaring such ID checks anti-constitutional would be a waste of time.

    33. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 1

      (a) The licensee shall have the valid driver's license issued to him or her in his or her immediate possession at all times when driving a motor vehicle upon a highway.

      Interesting. Non-highway roads don't count?

      --
      "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
    34. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful


      "There are a lot of people that benefit from having these powers to arbitrarily make inconvenient people go away temporally or permanently, and even a well meaning leader may not be able to reverse the course."

      A cowardly populace won't do it either.

      We won't even do so much as vote, or write letters to our *local* politicians. So we damned sure aren't going to lay our lives down to draw the line between right and wrong in government. Not in this generation, and probably not in the lifetime of anyone here today, if ever.

    35. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Eugene Chadbourne has a new song:
      "I support the troops, and I want my money back".

    36. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by PhxBlue · · Score: 1

      The question is about whether a State has the authority to require a State ID to be given on demand. The State DOES have that authority, because it isn't expressly forbidden by Federal law.

      Bullshit.
      --
      !#@%*)anks for hanging up the phone, dear.
    37. Re:Putting a stop to this now. by ChaosDiscord · · Score: 1
      The question is about whether a State has the authority to require a State ID to be given on demand. The State DOES have that authority, because it isn't expressly forbidden by Federal law.

      The law in question would be the fourth amendment, protecting against unreasonable search and seizure. Ultimately, is being forced to produce ID on demand without probable cause a form of search? It's not that clear cut.

  12. Re:What is there to hide? by asklepius · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I agree that you shouldn't be stubborn in front of a cop, but that doesn't mean that cops can do whatever they want. The officer needs a reason to find out your identity, etc. They can't pull you over on the highway for nothing, why can they ask for ID for no reason if you are just hanging out on the side of the road. Sounds a little scary to me.

  13. His webserver must not have shown ID by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apparently it's been arrested.

    1. Re:His webserver must not have shown ID by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just the facts, maam...

      Welcome to Humboldt County. Papers, Please.
      No? You're Under Arrest.

      On the evening of the 21st of May, 2000, Dudley Hiibel stepped out of his red 1988 GMC pick-up truck and lit a cigarette. The pick-up was parked on the side of Grass Valley Road, a rural stretch of asphalt that leads out of the mining town of Winnemucca into the rural cattle ranching area where Dudley lives and farms.
      Grass Valley Road, where the incident occurred.

      The pick-up had been driven by Dudley's 17 year-old daughter Mimi, with whom Dudley had been having an argument over a boy Dudley didn't approve of that she'd been seeing in town. Mimi got mad at her dad and punched him in the shoulder. They continued shouting at one another as they drove back to to the ranch, and Mimi eventually pulled over the truck after her dad said he wanted out.

      That's what Dudley Hiibel was doing that May evening in 2000: standing on the side of Grass Valley Road smoking a cigarette, his elbow resting on the rolled-down passenger window, talking with his daughter.

      Then the police arrived.

      Deputy Lee Dove of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department came on the scene - siren a-wailing - in response to a domestic violence report. Someone saw Mimi arguing with her dad and thought it had come to blows. The witness said that he saw "a man with a black cowboy hat" who "slugged the female". Dove was there to investigate the report.

      Everything that happened next is all on videotape... you be the judge.

      If you think that the first thing Deputy Dove would do on the scene would be to make sure the 'slugged female' was all right, you would be wrong. Deputy Dove never asked or even looked at Mimi until she had been thrown to the ground face-first and handcuffed.
      Deputy Lee Dove's ideas on law enforcement are not those of the average American.

      But that comes later in the story.

      Rather than investigate the complaint, Deputy Dove (who has twice had evidence he collected suppressed by the court) instead began to demand Dudley Hiibel show his ID. Eleven times Dove demanded Dudley show 'his papers'. Dudley asked a simple question: why?

      "Because I'm investigating", said Dove.

      "Investigating what?" Dudley asked.

      "I'm investigating an investigation" was Dove's non-reply.

      Eleven times Dove demanded Dudley's ID. And when the Deputy decided Dudley wasn't "going to cooperate", he cuffed, then tossed him in the back of his patrol car.
      And It Didn't Stop There

      Meanwhile, Dudley's daughter was watching the encounter between her dad and the Law from the cab of the pick-up truck. You can hear her screaming "Nooo" as her father is being handcuffed.

      Another policeman, a Nevada state trooper by the name of Merschel, was on the scene and was holding the door of the pick-up truck shut so that Mimi couldn't get out. Screaming, she finally forced the door open only to be thrown face down into the hard dirt by the side of the road by Trooper Merschel.

      The video is almost too painful to watch at this point. A second trooper climbs on top of Mimi and he and Trooper Merschel brutally pin 17 year-old Mimi to the ground and slap on the cuffs.
      Dudley and his pick-up.

      With Dudley Hiibel arrested for refusing to show ID and his daughter Mimi beaten and in handcuffs, Deputy Lee Dove now comes over to talk to Mimi and 'investigate'.
      The Aftermath

      Dudley Hiibel was charged with Domestic Battery, Battery, Acts Which Constitute Domestic Violence, and Obstructing/Delaying A Peace Officer. As there was no battery or domestic violence involved, the only charge that was left was Delaying A Peace Officer. By refusing to show Deputy Lee Dove his ID, Dudley was fined $250.00 . He's appealling it all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

      It is this very charge that is now coming before the U.S. Supreme Court on the 22nd of March. The question before the Court is this: Did Dudley's refusal to show ID give

  14. Probable Cause? by Supp0rtLinux · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I wasn't aware that "parking off the road" was probable cause to "investigate an investigation". Surely this is a free country and so long as he wasn't trespassing, parking on the side of the road isn't a crime? I see truck drivers do it all the time. Are they required to show ID? Not to mention, its not just the $250 fine or the invasion of privacy that's at issue. There's also the impound fees, the potential bail/bond fees and lost interest on funds that could be sitting in a bank account, not to mention possible lost time at work, etc. This is what is known as a cop having nothing better to do with his time.
    I had a similar issue arise recently in which I was stopped while driving to a shooting range and suspected of possibly having a stolen vehicle. I was searched and the gun I was taking to the range was found and confiscated (I live in California where just owning a gun is typically considered a crime). Thankfully, I showed proof of legal ownership of my truck *before* the search which removed the probably cause (not that transporting a gun was a crime anyway). The judge realized this and dismissed the case. But again, its an example of cop on a power trip. Once you refuse to cooperate, they act like the judges themselves instead of just the peace officers they're supposed to be.

    The only thing necessary for Micro$oft to triumph is for a few good programmers to do nothing". North County Computers

    1. Re:Probable Cause? by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      I believe the standard you are looking for is "reasonable suspicion", to merely stop and request ID.

      I do think they would need probable cause to actually detain someone against their will.

      IANAL.

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    2. Re:Probable Cause? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why would you refuse to cooperate? They're just trying to do their job and not get shot. It's people that automatically assume that cops all harbor some nefarious plan that make them have to do things like this. It's odd that you never mentioned why you got stopped, or why you got searched. Ever think that maybe you're part of the problem?

    3. Re:Probable Cause? by Supp0rtLinux · · Score: 2, Informative

      Um, I did mention why I was stopped and why I was searched. If you read my post, I said they had a suspicion I was driving a stolen vehicle (the reason is that I had a new vehicle with no plates so they pulled me over thinking my truck might be stolen). I showed them the temporary registration and bill of purchase. They read both, *then* asked me to exit the vehicle and searched me and my truck. They found the gun that was being legally transported in a unloaded, locked gun box. The police report said as much, which is why the judge dismissed the case after reading over the police report.

    4. Re:Probable Cause? by nodwick · · Score: 3, Insightful
      I wasn't aware that " parking off the road" was probable cause to "investigate an investigation".
      I think the "probable cause" would be the call from the witness claiming they saw some domestic violence going on. Both the story and the cop in the video mention it. So it's not a case of where the police cruiser just pulled over because they thought the guy's face looked funny.
      Deputy Lee Dove of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department came on the scene - siren a-wailing - in response to a domestic violence report. Someone saw Mimi arguing with her dad and thought it had come to blows. The witness said that he saw "a man with a black cowboy hat" who "slugged the female". Dove was there to investigate the report.
      Not being an expert on legal matters, I can't really say anything from a rights standpoint, but I do feel obliged to point out that from a pragmatic standpoint a little bit of calm and courtesy probably would have prevented things from escalating the way they did. On the video it looks like the man started getting visibly agitated and shouting pretty easily, when he could have just calmly stated his case. Unfortunately when you get right down to things, if you start by being hostile and loud it usually doesn't help things. This is true regardless of whether you're talking to a cop, a secretary, airport security, or whatever. (On a side note, I've seen what I'd consider much more aggressive tactics given much less provocation every time I pass through the airport.)
    5. Re:Probable Cause? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      According to EPIC :

      "A Humboldt Country sheriff's deputy responded to a concerned bystander's phone call reporting that a man had struck a female passenger inside a truck. The officer arrived on the scene and was directed by the citizen to Hiibel standing next to a parked truck with his daughter inside. The officer observed skid marks which led him to believe that the truck had been pulled over "in a sudden and aggressive manner." After speaking to Hiibel and observing his behavior, the officer became suspicious that Hiibel might have been driving while intoxicated. Hiibel refused eleven times to provide identification and was subsequently arrested under Nevada Revised Statute 171.123(3), which allows an officer to detain a person to ascertain his identity when there are circumstances reasonably indicating that person has committed a crime."

      Sounds like a real jerk, not someone I'd want to be defending.

    6. Re:Probable Cause? by mbourgon · · Score: 1

      [...] parking on the side of the road isn't a crime? I see truck drivers do it all the time. Are they required to show ID?

      Technically, it's not legal for them to do, they have to park in properly zoned areas. (That being said, in my area the police don't mind as long as it's on a feeder road, as opposed to in a residential area, which _is_ illegal.) So they might have to produce ID, as they are being questioned for something illegal. YMMV, and IANACop.

      --
      "Sometimes a woman is a kind of religion, she can save your soul & set you free from all your sins" - Bad Examples
    7. Re:Probable Cause? by iminplaya · · Score: 1

      Surely this is a free country...

      Where is this free country you talk about? Is the weather nice? I waana go there.
      More seriously, I do believe that most states have laws that state that you must show ID if asked

      --
      What?
    8. Re:Probable Cause? by HBI · · Score: 3, Insightful

      (On a side note, I've seen what I'd consider much more aggressive tactics given much less provocation every time I pass through the airport.)

      Hence why I don't fly unless I absolutely positively have to.

      Great things this new age is doing for the airline industry, their service was already going down the tubes without the Gestapo at the gate. I have to admit the TSA people are a lot more professional now than the private security companies, but when I get shit about my insulin supplies and can't carry them unless I have a written prescription on me...fuck them. Like i'm going to hijack an airplane with a 3/4" needle that is thin enough most people can't even feel it go in. Oooo, scary weapon.

      The whole industry can go bankrupt for all I care. I vote with my wallet. Ass holes.

      --
      HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.
    9. Re:Probable Cause? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wasn't aware that "parking off the road" was probable cause to "investigate an investigation". Surely this is a free country and so long as he wasn't trespassing, parking on the side of the road isn't a crime?

      Its not like this guy was walking down the road. He was in a parked car, in the driver seat. Officers are ALWAYS taught to stop off the side of the road when they see a car stopped - especially on highways and rural roads. If he really has an issue with someone asking for his license, while he is in a car, then he shouldn't be driving a car in the first place. After all, its not like he was on his private property when this happened, he was on the side of a public road.

    10. Re:Probable Cause? by kimgh · · Score: 2, Informative
      Was the guy drunk? Seemed to have trouble talking coherently. Although he walked OK, and the deputy was a bit incoherent as well. Perhaps it's just adrenaline...

      I was a bit more concerned when they pulled the girl out of the truck and onto the ground and cuffed her. That seemed totally unnecessary. The view isn't clear, but wasn't she a teenager?

    11. Re:Probable Cause? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Watch more carefully; she forced the door open on the truck and started running towards her father (and the other officer in the midst of handcuffing, i.e. weapon in holster exposed and hands busy). That's action enough for a deputy to tackle her rightfully.

    12. Re:Probable Cause? by jabberjaw · · Score: 1

      IANAL, but my mother is. She is a public defender. She has had to defend more than one black individual who has been charged with loitering around a convience store... while using the pay telephones outside. Certain times the authorities cannot legally do what they do, however they do it. What can you do? At the time nothing, picking a fight with a police officer in the middle of the street will win you no friends. Oftentimes it is best to do as you are told and argue later in court.

    13. Re:Probable Cause? by westlake · · Score: 1
      The script can be authenticated with a single phone call and is something you should be carrying anyway.

      Like i'm going to hijack an airplane with a 3/4" needle that is thin enough most people can't even feel it go in. Oooo, scary weapon.

      Sorry pal, but it doesn't take much imagination to see how useful a hypo kit could be to a hijacker, like you said, "most people can't even feel it go in."

    14. Re:Probable Cause? by HBI · · Score: 1

      You're the problem, you see. Paranoid people who have lost touch with the real need to be reasonable when evaluating risks. Put differently: I can carry significant quantities of flammables on planes. I can carry heavy objects that would be useful as a club. My shoes could knock you unconscious without much effort, with the solid wooden heel structure. A fucking insulin needle can't do jack in comparison to these. You're being ridiculous if you think this is a useful rule.

      Moreover, who the fuck are they to demand I carry papers for a medical condition? Obviously they don't want the business. I hope some cop harasses you tonight or tomorrow and you see how lameass it is when you are doing nothing wrong - and couldn't even plausibly be doing something wrong.

      The safety society will be its own downfall. Watch as you cause it.

      --
      HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.
    15. Re:Probable Cause? by arkanes · · Score: 1

      This is not true. Parking is legal unless it's explictly NOT allowed (or you're blocking traffic or otherwise unsafe). If you were referring to sleeping in your car, I believe that thats considered vagrancy or something similiar - but just being parked (as in this case) is fine.

    16. Re:Probable Cause? by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      from a pragmatic standpoint a little bit of calm and courtesy probably would have prevented things from escalating the way they did. On the video it looks like the man started getting visibly agitated and shouting pretty easily, when he could have just calmly stated his case.

      The reason he was standing on the road was that he was having a big argument with his daughter amd had got out to give himself some distance. So he was already far from calm.

    17. Re:Probable Cause? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And I would have thought it totally unreasonable to think you could kill 3000 people with a couple of box cutters, but I would have been wrong.

      Yes, knowing a little about security makes you realize that it's kind of a joke. You can buy a nice liquer bottle in the duty-free store, break the end off of it, and have a great weapon, but that's OK. They don't give you a metal butter knife on the plane, but they give you a nice metal fork with pointy ends. Then they arrest you if you point out that they still aren't preventing people from bringing weapons on the plane.

      Incidentally, I would expect them to demand a perscription if you're carrying drugs (even insulin). They could make things worse and try to prove what's in the bottle, so just making sure you have a script that matches the label on the bottle seems reasonable.

    18. Re:Probable Cause? by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 3, Informative

      Actually "probable cause" is why the supreme court is interested. The Neveda law states that reasonable suspicion is all thats required for an ID detainment, and that you are then *required* to ID yourself. They can then detain you up to one hour to verify the ID you gave them. The legal question is whether "reasonable suspicion" or "probable cause" is necessary in order to require ID.

      NRS 171.123 provides:
      1. Any peace officer may detain any person whom the officer encounters under circumstances which reasonably indicate that the person has committed, is committing or is about to commit a crime.
      3. The officer may detain the person pursuant to this section only to ascertain his identity and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his presence abroad. Any person so detained shall identify himself, but may not be compelled to answer any other inquiry of any peace officer.
      4. A person may not be detained longer than is reasonably necessary to effect the purposes of this section, and in no event longer than 60 minutes.

      IANAL but I am a citizen. My take is that we are to be consider innocent until proven quilty, and that we have an expectation of privacy. Resonable suspicion is not probable cause. No one says "innocent until reasonably suspected". At what point does their suspicion outweigh my rights? I say they need to more than suspect its possible, they need to have proof that its probable.

    19. Re:Probable Cause? by Phillup · · Score: 1

      Why would you refuse to cooperate?

      Because you are innocent.

      And you are supposed to be presumed innocent by the government also.

      And the fourth ammendment is supposed to protect you against unreasonable searches.

      And the fifth ammendment is supposed to protect you against self incrimination.

      And sometimes people need to be reminded of these facts.

      --

      --Phillip

      Can you say BIRTH TAX
    20. Re:Probable Cause? by Dun+Malg · · Score: 1
      They found the gun that was being legally transported in a unloaded, locked gun box. The police report said as much, which is why the judge dismissed the case after reading over the police report.

      Did you get the firearm back? I had a similar situation where a Los Angeles County Sheriff "lit me up" in a parking lot at 1am as I was returning some rented videos. I drove a 280Z at the time, which had no trunk. I was transporting a pair of lever action .30-30 winchester rifles with cable locks throu the actions and fastened to a pair of eye-bolts attached to the car frame. Having seen them trough the back window, he handcuffed me and put me in his car. The cop decided that, since they weren't locked in an actual car trunk or gun case, they were being transported illegally. He confiscated the rifles and held me overnight. Later, in court, the judge stopped just short of calling him an idiot, dismissed the charges, and ordered the return of the rifles. My public defender told me I could try and get them back, but don't hold my breath. They routinely confiscate firearms and simply send them out to be destroyed, he said, regardless of whether they were confiscated legally or not. I just let them go. They were a couple cheap pawn shop rifles anyway.

      --
      If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
    21. Re:Probable Cause? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Finally, someone who actually Read The Fine Article! I wish I could give you about 10 mod points.

      In a case such as this - where someone has called the police and reported a potential crime - the police have the right to ask everyone present for ID.

      Furthermore, the police have the right to tell everyone present to remain in their vehicles or whereever else they happen to be. A friend of mine is a former sherrif's reservist, and I can tell you that that is totally SOP.

      I don't expect him to win his case before the Supreme Court. The police were completely within their rights to demand ID under the circumstances and he was just looking for trouble. Sadly, he found it, costing Nevada a bunch of money and himself and his daughter a lot of time and some discomfort.

      WRT his daughter, did you read the part where she forced the door of the truck open when another officer was trying to hold it closed? After that, she was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed. WTF did she think they were going to do? When a police officer is investigating a potential crime and tells you to remain in your vehicle, you'd best remain in your vehicle. Especially, you should not force your way out of it.

      For any of you who don't know this, more police officers are injured or killed while investigating domestic violence and domestic dispute cases than in any other type of case.

      Now, do I think American police often react more aggressively than is needed? Yes. If most of our police officers were sent to serve in Japan, most of them wouldn't keep their jobs very long. But then, violent crime is quite uncommon in Japan. Most Japanese police officers, if they were sent here for duty, probably wouldn't live long. This isn't to say that police brutality doesn't exist in Japan (it does, but is mostly directed against people who have been arrested for some crime, and they can be held for nearly a month before they must be charged or released; it's easy to get a confession out of most people in that much time). If American police (re)act in a manner that many of us regard as overly aggressive, it's what they face every day that makes them do it. If you or are had to do what they have to do, I'm sure we'd wind up the same way. When I was young, I had one or two minor brushes with police (the temptation to say "Gee, I have hobbies too, but...) when an officer told me "I oughtta break your finger off and shove it up your ass" was nearly overwhelming, but I had the good sense to keep my mouth shut), but looking back on them, I can see they were really my own fault. Hiibel's predicament is his own fault, too. If he had kept a level head, shown his ID and asked "What seems to be the trouble?" this would be a non-issue.

      The bottom line: while as far as anybody knows, no domestic violence crime was apparently committed by Hiibel (on the other hand, the eyewitness report of his daughter being struck may have been accurate; there's just no evidence), it looks like they have him dead to rights when it comes to refusal to show his ID. It's somewhat surprising that the Supreme Court took this case at all; it will be even more surprising if they rule for Hiibel.

    22. Re:Probable Cause? by Jaysyn · · Score: 1

      My mom has diabetes & hasn't even seen a script in years, it's all over the phone & by the post via her insurance company. Oh and I bet those morons at the gate would love her insulin pump, can't wait till they make someone remove one & and a problem ensues. Can you say huge lawsuit?

      Jaysyn

      --
      There is a war going on for your mind.
    23. Re:Probable Cause? by HBI · · Score: 1

      I can buy my insulin over the counter. They keep it in the back because it requires refrigeration. The only kind of insulin that requires a script is the really fast acting Humalog stuff which is actually fairly dangerous because it is so fast acting and could cause a rapid hypoglycemic attack if too much were taken. The best I could do with the stuff I use is give you the munchies. The needles require a script though.

      Will they require a prescription for cold medications? Laxatives? I see the threat as very minor from this and the inconvenience and harassment to be relatively major. Maybe if more people are diabetic they'll stop jerking around with us. Um, not that i'd wish it on anyone.

      --
      HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.
    24. Re:Probable Cause? by /dev/trash · · Score: 1

      If only he WAS just parked there minding his own business.....but he wasn't. He was beating his daughter.

    25. Re:Probable Cause? by gcaseye6677 · · Score: 1

      The TSA employees are generally more professional than the former rent a cops were, because there is actually some accountability in their jobs. And getting fired actually means something, because it is a fairly well paying position compared to what it used to be. The only upside to dealing with the former minimum wage rent a cops was that they had no real legal authority. They were not permitted to physically restrain you for any reason whatsoever, even if you ran through the checkpoint with a gun. If these clowns overreached their authority and you pressed a complaint against them, they were usually fired without any due process since it was easier for the security company to just hire a new one. If only I knew then what I know now.

    26. Re:Probable Cause? by jmichaelg · · Score: 1
      but I do feel obliged to point out that from a pragmatic standpoint a little bit of calm and courtesy probably would have prevented things from escalating the way they did.

      And I feel obligated to point out that the man's daughter had slugged him, he was pissed about his daughter's choice of boyfriends and a cop shows up on a power trip. Now, be honest, would you have been a paragon of courtesy under those circumstances?

    27. Re:Probable Cause? by Katharine · · Score: 1

      /dev/trash wrote: If only he WAS just parked there minding his own business.....but he wasn't. He was beating his daughter.

      No, apparently she hit him. That's when he asked to get out of the car (she was driving) and she pulled over.

    28. Re:Probable Cause? by Supp0rtLinux · · Score: 1

      Yes, I got my guns back. But keep in mind that an eye bolt to the frame of the car could be considered a "gun rack" which is illegal in the state of California. For what its worth, when I went to court, the copy was sitting behind me and the judge told him he owed me and our county an apology for wasting our time and money. :)

    29. Re:Probable Cause? by cperciva · · Score: 1

      You need to start looking more trustworthy. When I check in for my flights, I'm always asked "Do you have any sharp objects", I always answer "Yes", and they don't care. Then I walk through security with a hundred lancets and several dozen needles (and a container clearly marked "WARNING: Biohazard. Destroy by incineration"), and nobody blinks.

      But why should they? I'm a white Anglo-Saxon male, 22 years old, flying to and from university or academic conferences. Obviously I'm not a terrorist.

    30. Re:Probable Cause? by cperciva · · Score: 2, Informative

      Sorry pal, but it doesn't take much imagination to see how useful a hypo kit could be to a hijacker, like you said, "most people can't even feel it go in."

      I think the grandparent is overstating things a bit here: The pain is minimal, but it's unusual to not notice it entirely, and it's almost impossible to give an insulin injection to an uncooperative patient -- the needles are thin enough that any sort of violent movement will break them.

    31. Re:Probable Cause? by John+Gilmore · · Score: 2, Informative
      In a case such as this - where someone has called the police and reported a potential crime - the police have the right to ask everyone present for ID.

      Yes, and the people who they "ask" are not required to respond. As Shakespeare said in Henry IV:
      Glendower: I can call spirits from the vasty deep.
      Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you do call for them?
      You are confusing a request with a demand. A cop is free to request anything at any point, with a few exceptions. (And people who have never had good advice from a lawyer are likely to do as they request -- to the peoples' own detriment.) But what a cop can demand is limited by the Constitution. A "request" followed by an arrest if you do not comply is a "demand".
    32. Re:Probable Cause? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      3. The officer may detain the person pursuant to this section only to ascertain his identity and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his presence abroad. Any person so detained shall identify himself, but may not be compelled to answer any other inquiry of any peace officer.

      Note, that it says the person "shall identify himself" NOT "must provide Paper ID" Your personal name, family name, and hometown has been considered sufficent to identify ones self in the past, why whould we be required to present a card with out picture on it now?

    33. Re:Probable Cause? by chiph · · Score: 1

      So, if he had just given his name: "Hi, my name is xxxxx", then he would have fulfilled his requirement under Nevada law?

      Chip H.

    34. Re:Probable Cause? by phthisic · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately when you get right down to things, if you start by being hostile and loud it usually doesn't help things. This is true regardless of whether you're talking to a cop, a secretary, airport security, or whatever.

      I've never been arrested for sassing a secretary.

    35. Re:Probable Cause? by Dun+Malg · · Score: 1
      But keep in mind that an eye bolt to the frame of the car could be considered a "gun rack" which is illegal in the state of California.

      This is true to some degree, but in my case the judge said the key to the law was "accessability", not "visibility". The rifles were, in fact, no more accessable to the occupants than they'd be if they were locked in the trunk of sedan. Getting the rifles out required unlocking and opening the back hatch and unlocking two padlocks on the eyebolts that were essentially unreachable except through the back hatch. The lesson I learned, however, is that the most important thing isn't to just comply with the letter of the law, but to comply with the law as the average law enforcement officer understands it. Being right is no consolation when have to spend 8 hours in jail and call a cab to get back to your car! :)

      --
      If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
  15. Just don't get it by Docrates · · Score: 4, Informative

    I live in Panama (in Central America, not FL) and here, like in most other places in Latin America, you have a Cedula, basically a national ID. When a law enforcement agent asks you for your ID, you show it to them. If you don't it means that A) you don't have one because you're an illegal immigrant or B) you're a convicted felon and have escaped from prison...or something to that extent.

    I fail to see what's so horrible about this system. I'm not trolling, I really don't see it. Comments are most welcome.

    --

    There are two kinds of people in the world: Those with good memory.
    1. Re:Just don't get it by GigsVT · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Have you ever asked a blind man to describe what "red" look like?

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    2. Re:Just don't get it by Kenja · · Score: 1
      "Have you ever asked a blind man to describe what "red" look like?"

      Yes, he said it looked like music tastes.

      --

      "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    3. Re:Just don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yeah well, Panama, like pretty much everyplace else in SA, you pretty much are expected to do anything that a man in uniform with a gun orders you to do.

      You don't see anything so horrible with that system because you are willing to live under it. One more day. Someday, somewhere, the reason you don't want to identify yourself to an authority figure will not be as obvious to you as "illegal immigrant" or "escaped felon."

      It's happened before, in other parts of the world, where unthinkable things would be done to you simply because your papers indicated you were of the wrong ethnic group to be in this part of town after dark... So that's not the case in Panama today, but why are you so willing to give them the tools they need to oppress your people when they choose to?

      When people aren't concerned about their liberties before it's too late, when it's too late, well, it's too late.

    4. Re:Just don't get it by slifox · · Score: 1

      Whoops!

      I forgot it in my other pants as I was only going to the store down the street.

      Guess I'll be spending a night in jail while they try to identify me as not a convict!

    5. Re:Just don't get it by SparafucileMan · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Actually, its not that they're willing to live under it. It's just that Panama has a habit of getting invaded by the United States, who always supports the military, who are the ones with the guns, who run the country. I mean christ, ever heard of the PANAMA CANAL?

    6. Re:Just don't get it by at_kernel_99 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I live in Panama (in Central America, not FL) and here, like in most other places in Latin America, you have a Cedula, basically a national ID. When a law enforcement agent asks you for your ID, you show it to them. If you don't it means that A) you don't have one because you're an illegal immigrant or B) you're a convicted felon and have escaped from prison...or something to that extent.

      One point of difference is probably the political system you've been raised in vs. the one in which US citizens have been raised. I don't know what the panamanian constitution looks like, but I imagine that its very different from the freedoms provided in the US constitution, particularly in the area of the Bill of Rights.

      The concern that some US citizens have is that the US government is devaluing personal privacy, which some view as an infringement of the rights provided in the constitution. The US legal system, for instance, is based on presumed innocence. i.e. law enforcement is expected - no, mandated - to presume citizens are innocent, not guilty of commiting crimes. There is not, to my knowledge, any federal law mandating that US citizens carry identification. It appears (I do not know for certain, as I cannot get to the article) that the individual in question was not in the act of committing a crime - or even suspected of committing a crime, but the law enforcement officer demanded that the individual identify himself as the officer was 'investigating an investigation.' This would appear to be insufficient reason to detain and fine the individual in question.

    7. Re:Just don't get it by petabyte · · Score: 2, Informative

      Amendment 4 of the US Constitution:

      The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

      In the US, people (theoretically) have the right to not have people looking through all of their stuff. The idea being that this would lead to abuses by government officals as per what happened under colonial government. So the question in this case is: was this request "unreasonable"? He needs a legitmate reason for requesting information (which he probably had). It is probably his "investigating an investigation" reason for doing this that caused all of hubub.

    8. Re:Just don't get it by B'Trey · · Score: 1

      Our basic philosophy's are different. It's difficult to put all of the relevant arguments in a nut shell, but I'll attempt to cover the basics.

      The US is (theoretically, at least) founded on the principles of freedom. You are presumed innocent unless and until the state can prove that you committed a crime. Unless they have evicence of such a crime, the police can not arrest or hold you. (For the nit-pickers, there are some exceptions but I'm trying to cover the essential theory here.) You have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This means that so long as I'm minding my own business and not committing a crime, the police have no right to stop me and demand to know what I'm doing or who I am. It's none of their business.

      The essence of the dilema is the question of who serves who. Does the citizen serve the government? Or does the government serve the citizen? Your society assumes the former. We assume the latter.

      --

      "The legitimate powers of government extend only to such acts as are injurious to others." Thomas Jefferson.

    9. Re:Just don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1) You live in a police state that exists only to facilitate shipping.

      2) Because of number 1 your idea of freedom is choosing which rock song combined with tortured animal noise to blast at the Vatican embassy.

      3) Because of number 2 the idea that not producing "your papers please" could only be the act of a "criminal" makes perfect sense.

      4) Because of number 3 ??????

      5) Prophet

    10. Re:Just don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you don't it means that A) you don't have one because you're an illegal immigrant or B) you're a convicted felon and have escaped from prison...or something to that extent.

      I fail to see what's so horrible about this system.


      Well, for starters, because innocent and resonable actions like losing your ID or going swimming without it don't full under either A) or B), so you're telling me I will be temporarily treated like either an illegal immigrant or an escaped prisoner because I lost my ID or went swimming? Screw that system. That's not right. Why? Because it allows for someone to be treated as guilty until proven innocent, and that's not right. If I have no ID, even if that was a mistake, I should not be treated as guilty. I should be treated as innocent unless you can find me guilty of a crime. (And NO, breaking the new "carry your ID law" is what I'm talking about, because that opens the door to "wear this star on your jacket" and "allow police officers into your home at any time" laws.)

      Congratulations for adapting to an unreasonable system. Guilty until proven innocent, eh?

    11. Re:Just don't get it by Josh+Booth · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Because it is too easy to lose it or have it taken away. In the South of the U.S. before the (U.S.) Civil War, free blacks (freedmen) were given papers to prove that they were not slaves. They were still second class citizens, though, and if they forgot their papers one day and someone asked, it was off to the plantation you go.

      In the U.S., most people revere very highly "innocent until proven guilty" (except for the military) and that is what this case appears to be about. I'm not sure the exact letter of the law is, however, because in essence, we do have a national ID (Social Security Number). But I don't think that anywhere one is required to carry ID everywhere as that would seem morally wrong to me.

      Could someone enlighten me some too?

    12. Re:Just don't get it by Balthisar · · Score: 1

      Strictly speaking, that wasn't an invasion of Panama, but of Columbia.

      --
      --Jim (me)
    13. Re:Just don't get it by Brandybuck · · Score: 1

      It's because the United States has a three hundred year history of libertarianism (yes, older than the founding). I'm not talking about the political party of the same name, but on the attitude. US residents have an innate distrust of authority. We feel that we can govern our own individual lives much better than the policeman, soldier or bureaucrat can.

      The general attitude among those raised in the US is that the government should keep out of people's affairs. Asking for someone "papers please" for no reason is simply too intrusive for the average US citizen to stomache, regardless of their political affiliation.

      The policeman in question should not have asked for the ID because he had no probably cause that a crime had been was being committed. Absent that, the papers of the gentlemen were no one's business, least of all the government's.

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    14. Re:Just don't get it by petabyte · · Score: 4, Informative

      Responding to my own post but oh well. I read the ACLU amicus brief. Terry v. Ohio states that a police officer must have probable cause to arrest an individual. Terry allows the officer to ask a moderate number of questions in order to satisfy himself BUT, the person being questioned does not have to answer them. The officer cannot arrest the person unless he has probable cause. Nevada law, however, says a person MUST identify themselves (give their name). This goes against Terry's right to refuse to answer questions by the officer.

      The question of the case then, I guess, is whether the Nevada law requiring a person to give their name to an officer is Constitutional. I'm hoping they vote no and the ruling overturned.

    15. Re:Just don't get it by Banjonardo · · Score: 1
      like pretty much everyplace else in SA, you pretty much are expected to do anything that a man in uniform with a gun orders you to do.

      Gaaaah, troll, gaaaah! First of all, Panama is in Central America, technically considered a part of North America. SA is from Colombia down.

      Second, the bit about us being under fascist control.... you showed your ignorance. I won't bite.

      --

      -----

      Score 3? For what? Being wrong, at length? - smirkleton

    16. Re:Just don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Strictly speaking, that wasn't an invasion of Panama, but of Columbia.

      Sorry to nitpick on spelling, but I think the folks in Colombia deserve to have their country's name spelled correctly. Columbia is the name of cities in MD, CT, CA, LA, IL, IA, and AL. Oh, it's also a District... and of course it used to be a space shuttle.

      It's a common mistake in English. This doesn't happen in Spanish because "Columbia" would be pronounced "Co-loom-bia". :-)

    17. Re:Just don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      most people revere very highly "innocent until proven guilty"
      I really feel this in the airports.
      And I feel it when RIAA asks for IP addreses and gets them.
      And when SCO threatens to sue me because I use Linux.
      And when peoples are arrested for holding an anti-Bush bannes in "no free-speach zone." I guess the Russians also had free speach under the comunists. In the basement of theyr own house, under a blanket, but free speach.

    18. Re:Just don't get it by LittleBigLui · · Score: 2, Redundant
      It's just that Panama has a habit of getting invaded by the United States,


      Panama better lay off that habit quickly. You know, the US now fights for democracy, so if Panama gets invaded that proves that they are full of Terrorists and Weapons of Mass Destruction.
      --
      Free as in mason.
    19. Re:Just don't get it by iminplaya · · Score: 1

      There is not, to my knowledge, any federal law mandating that US citizens carry identification.

      There are many state laws mandating(new name for Mandrake?) exactly that. You can be arrested if you don't have ID.

      --
      What?
    20. Re:Just don't get it by DrugCheese · · Score: 1

      I'm swimming on a public beach, where do I put my ID?

      Nevermind don't answer pervert ;)

      --
      *DrugCheese rants*
    21. Re:Just don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Likewise, here in Singapore, you are expected to produce your ID when requested by a police officer. If this is just a routine check and you do not have an ID on you, you can produce it at the nearest police station within 24 hours.
      That said, last week, a man was locked up for 8 hours for not having his ID on him on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant. He was not allowed to make a phone call to get someone to bring his ID to the police station. The police has yet to reply why this happened. So, while controls are in place, the police tend to abuse their power.

    22. Re:Just don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For someone who loves free speech so much, you sure don't know how to spell it.

    23. Re:Just don't get it by corbettw · · Score: 1

      In the U.S., most people revere very highly "innocent until proven guilty" (except for the military)

      The UCMJ provides the same protections under military law for members of the military as the Constitution. So you're innocent until proven guilty, have the right to counsel, and for any serious offense have the right to have your case heard in a court of law (a court-martial). So the military reveres "innocent until proven guilty" just as highly as civilians do.

      Don't forget: every member of the US military takes an oath to support and defend the Constitution, and we all take that oath very seriously. I'm always more worried about the type of people who go into law enforcement than the military. Law enforcement types are taught to see other Americans as the bad guys; the military is always looking at foreigners to fill that role. Much better from my point of view.

      Back on topic: not only is your SS card (wow, that sounds weird) not a valid ID, it's not a mandatory one, either. You need an SSN for payroll tax purposes, so that's why you need to show your employer your card as part of the INS check when you start a new job. But since there's no picture on it, most authorities won't accept it by itself to establish your identity.

      --
      God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
    24. Re:Just don't get it by Josh+Booth · · Score: 1

      I wrote that about the military a little tounge-in-cheek. There are quite a few cases I've heard where people have their careers ruined by just an accusation, and because it is a much smaller society, they are effectively punished. It just gives the rest of the military courts a bad name.

      Also, as I read futher in this topic, it seems that, ID is never required except on grounds of suspicious activity, or you look like a fugitive, or "just cause". A name is probably only ever required.

      Thank you for the response.

    25. Re:Just don't get it by griffjon · · Score: 1

      This is a very US-centric view. I find far too many US citizens who've bought the land-of-the-free ad campaign -- hook, line, and sinker. It's not as free as is thought. Lots of places don't worry about Big Brother, or even really walking down the street smoking a big blunt.

      US has freedoms in theory, but lots of places have freedom in practice. You often have to interact with people in uniform with large guns, but that has its own etiquette.

      --
      Returned Peace Corps IT Volunteer
    26. Re:Just don't get it by UVABlows · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This is not insightful. A legitimate question is being responded to with a failed analogy. This is FUD. If the answer to his question is so obvious, please enlightem him as opposed to trying to make fun of him.

      --

      <high-level position here>
      <name of stupid small company here>

    27. Re:Just don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, the country of Panama is the bastard stepchild of the United States which encouraged and supported a local revolution to break away from Columbia. Why? Because the US wanted to build the canal and Columbia wanted too much for a building permit.

    28. Re:Just don't get it by sweede · · Score: 1

      A State issued form of ID is property of the issueing state. It is NOT YOUR PROPERTY and is not protected under the 4th Admendment.

      In IL, i have been fined for having a mangled IL drivers license listed as damaging state property.

      --
      I follow the SDK and GDN principles.. Spelling Dont Kount, Grammer Dont Neither
    29. Re:Just don't get it by Balthisar · · Score: 1

      Damn it -- that's a typo; not ignorance -- I promise. Y lo mas vergonzoso es que soy hablante de espanol (aun que no lo escribo bien usando Windows).

      --
      --Jim (me)
    30. Re:Just don't get it by Dun+Malg · · Score: 1
      There are many state laws mandating exactly that. You can be arrested if you don't have ID.

      Please cite some specific state laws requiring ID at all times. How do these supposed laws deal with children? Is a 15 year old required to have ID walking around at the mall? If so, what form of ID?

      --
      If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
    31. Re:Just don't get it by jIyajbe · · Score: 1

      The U.S. system of justice is based on limiting the power of the state. The writers of our constitution knew from first-hand experience the abuses that the government could commit if it was not constrained. After all, the government has all these people, and all these guns, while you and I have nothing.

      As everyone on Slashdot knows, knowledge is power. If we permit the state to easily know who we are, what we are doing, and why, that gives them more power. A LOT more. That tips the balance ever further toward the state having control over us.

      Extra Credit Discussion Question: Is this a liberal or conservative viewpoint?

      --
      "Don't blame the log for the fire." --Andrew Ratshin
    32. Re:Just don't get it by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 1

      A State issued form of ID ... is NOT YOUR PROPERTY and is not protected under the 4th Admendment.

      My state-issued ID is on my person, which is protected by the fourth amendment.

    33. Re:Just don't get it by Kris_J · · Score: 1

      I live in a country where the police and the government are not considered "better" than private citizens. They therefore have no greater right to go through your stuff without reason than you have to go through theirs.

    34. Re:Just don't get it by petabyte · · Score: 1

      They arrested him. That's his "person". To get his license they would (presumably) have to search through his wallet. Again thats his person. They can frisk him down for weapons but (IANAL) probably not route through his wallet without probable cause.

      Here in PA its the same way (you have to surrender you license if the state says so). But I can't imagine them fining someone for a cluttered one. Generally you have to have the magstripe intact to get into bars so keeping the thing together is in the licensee's interest :).

    35. Re:Just don't get it by tftp · · Score: 1
      If the cop wanted to "investigate an investigation" he would have checked first if anyone present seems to be a victim or an aggressor. But apparently the cop just focused on a single person who was just conveniently standing there.

      Lack of ties to the real investigation can be seen as a proof that the cop abandoned a lawful investigation and instead embarked on a power trip, demanding personal property of a person outside of any investigative need.

    36. Re:Just don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't worry. Remember how most Americans couldn't difference Europe from the Middle East before the gulf wars? All they need is to declare war to some country in SA to know they exist - wars are the only way to teach the American masses geography.

    37. Re:Just don't get it by JimBobJoe · · Score: 1

      I've got relatives in Costa Rica, which has a Cedula as well. It does take me a bit of time to explain my concerns to them.

      Most posts on slashdot deal with the usual guilt before innocence issue, or the fact that a cheap plastic card can be so powerful (its lack thereof or the information on it.)

      On the other hand, this is all I point out to them: Cedula fraud is extraordinary. Every Costa Rican knows where and how to get a fake Cedula (usually bribery.) Yeah they are trying to crack down bullshit bullshit bullshit, but as long as the card becomes more useful, the more fraud that you will have.

      And then I ask, so what's the point in the police asking for the card in the first place? Why be hauled into jail for not having a card that any moron can get with $200 and a face?

    38. Re:Just don't get it by Brandybuck · · Score: 1

      Precisely. Under individualistic "don't tread on me" cultures like the US, such activities are met with scorn. Cops are NOT of a higher class than the citizens. But similar activities in some cultures are accepted grudgingly, or even considered normal.

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    39. Re:Just don't get it by MullerMn · · Score: 1

      Well, that canal looks like it could be pretty nasty, if it gets in your eye.

    40. Re:Just don't get it by dave420-2 · · Score: 1
      There's a huge difference between what's on paper and what's enforced. On paper, every time Bush mentions God he's violating the constitution, yet it happens unchallenged. On paper, the PATRIOT act is unconstitutional, yet it's still enacted. On paper, Guantanamo bay should be a holiday camp for 18-30s, but it's the site of a huge mass-violation of human rights by the same government you're saying loves people.

      Come on, see the real picture. They say "look at the constitution! isn't it pretty!" just to distract you while they beat the crap out of a country for looking shifty, or for having too many muslims with oil.

      And, by the way, the US constitution isn't all that great anyway. Most countries have something very similar. The difference being that most countries know this, and don't parade it around like it's some magic guarantee that their country can't possibly be screwing them in the ass every day of their lives.

    41. Re:Just don't get it by luisdom · · Score: 1

      I live in Spain, and we also have an ID and the obligation to show it to a police officer when required.

      One point of difference is probably the political system you've been raised in vs. the one in which US citizens have been raised. I don't know what the panamanian constitution looks like, but I imagine that its very different from the freedoms provided in the US constitution, particularly in the area of the Bill of Rights.
      This paragraph particularly bothers me. You are implicitly saying that the US Bill of Rights is like the Holy Grail of liberties and the rest of the world has a somewhat inferior constitution.
      And don't take it as an attack, but it offends me, coming from the country of Guantanamo and the RIAA, that you try to give us lectures about liberties.

      The US legal system, for instance, is based on presumed innocence. i.e. law enforcement is expected - no, mandated - to presume citizens are innocent, not guilty of commiting crimes.
      Yeah, like most legal systems in democratic countries. Why do you imply that it is not that way?

    42. Re:Just don't get it by robin_j · · Score: 1
      I again can't understand what the big deal is.

      Just consider these points:

      1. 1. They had reason to stop and talk to him as they were investigating a reported crime.
      2. 2. I believe that in any country a reasonable question is your name and address plus a form of identification when being questioned by the police, especially when it's not just a random stop; he was reported as having commited a crime.
      3. 3. His body language was very bad as was his manner.
      4. 4. Assuming point 2 the guy was obstructing the police in performing there duty.

        I'm from Ireland and here I'm not even aware if the Gardai (Irish Police force) are allowed to ask you for ID and we also have no national ID at any level. All documents are purely on a if you want them basis, although you must have your licence if driving.

    43. Re:Just don't get it by badzilla · · Score: 1

      Here is what's so horrible about it.

      Firstly and most importantly: as a citizen living in my country of birth I have a basic and absolute right to be here, a right to exist, that is not conditional on anyone else's permission. In other words my right to be here is not contingent on carrying someone's ID card. I like it that way and I don't see why anyone would want to give up such a right.

      Secondly: In the office where I work we stick asset tags on everything to prove we own it. Doesn't your card system make you feel similarly like a piece of owned asset?

      --
      "Don't belong. Never join. Think for yourself. Peace." V.Stone, Microsoft Corporation
    44. Re:Just don't get it by sweede · · Score: 1

      It wasnt just "cluttered", it was almost torn in half :) back then the IL license was a peice of laminated paper with a seperate photo over it.

      With a small knife you could easily lift and replace my photo. I had to go get a new license and take it to court to get the fine dropped.

      --
      I follow the SDK and GDN principles.. Spelling Dont Kount, Grammer Dont Neither
    45. Re:Just don't get it by phthisic · · Score: 1

      It's not a failed analogy. He's saying that the person from Panama doesn't know what he's missing.

      It was a perfectly legitimate reply. The question was, "I don't have these freedoms and don't know what the big deal is." And the reply was, "It's hard to explain why freedom is so important. You may have to have freedom to fully appreciate how bad the lack of freedom sucks"

    46. Re:Just don't get it by ducman · · Score: 1

      There's a minor, but important difference between what you said and what the Constitution says. The freedoms we have are not "provided" by the Constitution, they are recognized as rights by the Constitution. Unless the people who ratified the Constitution agreed to give up certain powers to the government, those powers remain with the people, and cannot be taken by the government, later.

      --
      "We have nothing in common, your attitude annoys me, and your political views are appalling."
    47. Re:Just don't get it by 0111+1110 · · Score: 1

      I live in Spain, and we also have an ID and the obligation to show it to a police officer when required.

      I guess we must seem like a bunch of crazy gun-toting anarchists to you. Order is always enhanced by government power. From what I have seen of Spaniards, they could definitely use a strong government hand to keep them in line.

      Just remember the difference in our histories. In the past we were anarchists compared to your country. Clearly things have changed a lot in the past 50 to 100 years and our systems are more equal now, but that doesn't change history.

      Your country has a long history of all powerful father-like dictators. Well, at least you weren't fighting on the EVIL side in WW2, like the Italians. It wouldn't surprise me if there are even some Spanish who would like to go back to the old ways.

      --
      Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
    48. Re:Just don't get it by sdssds · · Score: 1
      As an old joke goes, "Both Soviet and US constitutions provide for `freedom of speech', but the US constitution also provides for `freedom after speech'."

      Most constitutions have "rights" provisions. The Soviet constitution of 1936 was the most liberal in the world. 2 years later its author, Buharin, was executed after a mock trial.

      The difference is in how, if at all, it is used and enforced by courts (and thus whether it is respected by the gun-carrying government employees).

  16. Not papers, just a name by bentini · · Score: 4, Insightful
    The problem is that he didn't give his *name*, not his papers.

    According to courts, you don't have a reasonable expectation to not have to give your name, because you use it all the time. You probably do, however, have a reasonable expectation of not having to rattle off any ID number that's private.

    What's so wrong about giving a cop your name if you give it to everyone else?

    1. Re:Not papers, just a name by Gothmolly · · Score: 1

      No, he didn't have any identification to produce. Of course, the policeman should have busted him for driving without a license at this point, but remember, 1/2 the population has an IQ below 100.

      --
      I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    2. Re:Not papers, just a name by nsayer · · Score: 1
      According to what I read on the appelant's site (I may have missed something, and perhaps the site is a tad biased), the cop didn't even ask the guy his name, he simply demanded ID.

    3. Re:Not papers, just a name by kevlar · · Score: 1

      He wasn't driving, he was parked on the side of the road.

    4. Re:Not papers, just a name by onewing · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The reason someone shouldn't give there name is the same reason i wouldnt give my name if some stranger came up to me and asked for my name.

      A police officer without any probible cause should be treated as just another citizen and should not have special privilages to access any information.

    5. Re:Not papers, just a name by cujo_1111 · · Score: 1

      Here in Australia, it is not illegal to drive without having your licence with you. If you are booked for speeding, etc. You must present yourself to a Police station within 24 hours with your licence.

      I think this rule comes from the fact when we go to the beach we take as little as possible, just the car keys and $20...

      --
      If I point out that you are incorrect, making me a foe does not make you any more correct.
    6. Re:Not papers, just a name by pnatural · · Score: 1

      I'm too lazy to read the article, but I can tell you that where I live (Alaska, USA), you can be parked all you want and still be charged with a moving violation if they keys are in the ignition.

    7. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      what's the 20 for?

    8. Re:Not papers, just a name by Dirtside · · Score: 3, Informative

      Not only did the cop not see Hiibel driving the truck, but Hiibel hadn't even been driving the truck -- his daughter had. He wasn't driving at all, let alone driving without a license.

      --
      "Destroy science and religion. Science would re-emerge exactly the same; but not religion." - Penn Jillette, paraphrased
    9. Re:Not papers, just a name by Little+Brother · · Score: 1

      His daughter was the one driving. (After protesting his arrest, she was arrested too(brutaly according to the writeup, I couldn't see the vidio because server was ./ed before I could load it), charges against her were dropped)

      --

      Little Brother, watching the watchers

    10. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If he was behind the wheel of the car on or off, he is still considered to be 'using' the car. Thats how they arrest drunks who go off the road and just 'park' and goto sleep. Even tho there is no proof that they drove the car drunk they still get a dui.

    11. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A Chiko roll, a chocolate milkshake, and a movie ticket in case the surf's no good.

    12. Re:Not papers, just a name by leviramsey · · Score: 1

      IIRC, his daughter was 16... she could have been driving.

    13. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      suntan lotion.

    14. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      According to courts, you don't have a reasonable expectation to not have to give your name, because you use it all the time. You probably do, however, have a reasonable expectation of not having to rattle off any ID number that's private.

      What's so wrong about giving a cop your name if you give it to everyone else?


      Perhaps you've heard of the fifth amendment? You have the right to remain silent. I choose to exercise my rights.

    15. Re:Not papers, just a name by cujo_1111 · · Score: 1

      Another Aussie in the /. crowd :)

      --
      If I point out that you are incorrect, making me a foe does not make you any more correct.
    16. Re:Not papers, just a name by SnappleMaster · · Score: 1

      If you watch the video he says "I'm parked by the side of the road". By saying "I'm parked" he implies that he parked the car. Which means he was recently driving and he probably appears intoxicated to the officer.

      The guy is not smart. If a cop is talking to you it is very foolish to:
      a) walk away from him, even a few feet, and
      b) touch him in any way

      Cops have guns. Cops occasionally meet people who are armed and dangerous. If they think you might be dangerous you should reasonably expect trouble.

      Anyhow, IMHO the guy is a dork. Fry him up.

      --
      Be happy. Nothing else matters.
    17. Re:Not papers, just a name by Little+Brother · · Score: 1

      And if you read the article you would know his daughter had been the one driving.

      --

      Little Brother, watching the watchers

    18. Re:Not papers, just a name by gcaseye6677 · · Score: 1

      The reason they get the DUI is because they didn't get a lawyer and fight it. These cases are dismissed in court if challenged.

    19. Re:Not papers, just a name by ElderKorean · · Score: 1

      Also in Australia you can be arrested for being drunk in charge of a vehicle, even if you are parked on the side of the road, asleep in the passenger seat. If you've got the keys, you've got the control. Maybe the policeman is an Aussie working the winter in the US.

    20. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I don't give my name to someone else just because they request it. Show me the benefit to disclosing my identity, and I'll consider doing so.

    21. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thats how they arrest drunks who go off the road and just 'park' and goto sleep.

      They do that? Fuck, I'd rather have a drunk driver pulled over sleeping it off than rushing home before he gets busted.

      Why don't they just let them sleep?

    22. Re:Not papers, just a name by SnappleMaster · · Score: 1

      How is the cop supposed to know that? He didn't pull them over. He arrives on the scene and the guy is acting at least somewhat intoxicated. One of the first things out of his mouth is "I'm parked...".

      You have to ask yourself what the cop should reasonably assume. IMHO the cop should assume that an intoxicated man may have been driving the truck. Which means asking for a license is reasonable.

      --
      Be happy. Nothing else matters.
    23. Re:Not papers, just a name by cujo_1111 · · Score: 1

      That is why, when you sleep in your vehicle after drinking, you throw the car keys under the seat. Technically you are not in possesion of the keys. If the cop asks where the keys are, just say your girlfriend took them from you.

      But as always, if you are nice to cops, they will be nice to you.

      --
      If I point out that you are incorrect, making me a foe does not make you any more correct.
    24. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      IAAADA (Assistant District Attorney, Kings County, New York) and while you're technically correct, that's not the whole story. It's true that you have the right to remain silent. However, if the PO's asking you something really basic and innocent like "What's your name, sir?" then by refusing to answer, you create probable cause for further search and detention, possibly even arrest. If, on the other hand, the cop asks you something like "What's your social security number?" then you're probably safe keeping your mouth shut, since there's no expectation that a reasonable individual would see any need to provide the PO with such information.

    25. Re:Not papers, just a name by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      There is another side to this story though -

      my mother works in an elementary school and was called down to the principal's office regarding a notice that appeared in the county paper indicating that she had been arrested the night before. She was not in fact arrested at all.

      The police had arrested somebody who somehow convinced them that she was my mother (by name). Fortunately she was of a different race so it was easy to get the arrest expunged. She probably just stole a bill out of the trash or something and gave it as ID.

      If there is good cause to think that somebody may be committing a crime, and they don't have ID, it probably isn't all that bad to detain them for a little while until it can be all sorted out. If my mother had a remotely similar appearance to the lady who got arrested that night she might have ended up going to trial over it - simply because the police never got a good ID before letting somebody go.

      Police shouldn't be able to just ask for papers at random, and there should always be a presumption of innocence. But if they're looking for a 6'2" caucasian male with dark hair mostly balding in my neighborhood while I'm walking around the block, there is probable cause to at least figure out who I really am in case I need to be found later.

    26. Re:Not papers, just a name by bentini · · Score: 1
      The fifth amendment says you have the right to not self incriminate. How is your name, all by itself, incriminating?

      The whole point of the government is that your name isn't incriminating, and one way we know this is that we give it out all the time.

    27. Re:Not papers, just a name by culain · · Score: 3, Informative

      And in fact the website indicates that she WAS driving, and was in the drivers seat.

    28. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      if the daughter is 16 that makes him the responsible party

      and what do you think goes through a cop's mind when he finds a girl, a minor, in a car with a much older man who stubbornly refuses to cough up any ID...

    29. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bullshit. If you are nice to an asshole cop, he will be an asshole to you. Some people are just that way, and for some damn reason they are attracted to the occupation, or at least they make themselves more noticable.

    30. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They were beating her up and she was saying get off me get off me ,, they wrestled her to the ground, two huge men on this small girl and pinned her down, I thought they must have gotten off on it or some shit.. anyways she was screaming "get off me .. get off me" and it lasted like 2 mins after that they got the cuffs on her and still wouldnt get her up.

      BTW. It was amuising cause her dad was in the car and kept on saying "Big man.. big man" when they were beating her up.

      See.. this is the crap that "Cops" the tv show censors out.

    31. Re:Not papers, just a name by exhilaration · · Score: 1
      Hmm... I'm a cop, I'm bored, I see you and decide to find out who you are, "Sir, we're looking for a rapist that matches your description, may I see your identification".

      How do you know the cop's actually looking for someone? Is it illegal for him to tell you whatever story it takes to see your ID?

    32. Re:Not papers, just a name by kevlar · · Score: 1

      That depends on the State you are in. Some states have laws where the keys can't be in the ignition, others say that you can't be in the drivers seat.

      In this instance, I have a hunch that he was well within his legal right to be behind the wheel. On top of this, I don't recall DUI being an issue, simply him refusing to give his ID.

    33. Re:Not papers, just a name by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 1

      I tried that.

      Was sitting in a vehicle, didn't have the keys. Got thrown in jail.

      200 dollars, 1 year probation.

    34. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      a handjob, the same as in town.

    35. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      even when somebody else is still in the driver's seat of the vehicle?

    36. Re:Not papers, just a name by TRACK-YOUR-POSITION · · Score: 1

      Actually, you don't have to testify against yourself in any criminal case, at least according to the amendment text. Whether it's "incriminating" or not is quite irrelevent to the exact wording in the constitution--needless to say, the exact text in the consitution is not always the law you and I have to follow on the street. The government's point is bullshit, though--yes, I GIVE my name all the time--people do not TAKE my name all the time. I can choose to ignore ordinary requests for my name. There are plenty of times when the courts have upheld the right of individuals to remain completely anonymous from the government--see the KKK's right to protest with masks as an example. The original poster said courts say I have to give my name--any citations?

    37. Re:Not papers, just a name by John+Gilmore · · Score: 5, Informative

      From the transcript on the video page, you can see that Deputy Dove was demanding papers: "I need to see some identification", then "I just need to see some identification", then "Show me your identification".

      Not "Who are you?". But "Show me your papers!".

      The standard advice from ANY lawyer is to not say anything when accosted by cops. Not even your name. And the mass of court decisions, e.g. Kolender v. Lawson, concurring opinion of Brennan state that nobody has to answer ANY of the questions a cop asks of them -- even IF the cop suspects them of a crime:

      "... States may not authorize the arrest and criminal prosecution of an individual for failing to produce identification or further information on demand by a police officer."

      Here's another one, Terry v. Ohio, concurring opinion by White: "[T]he person may be briefly detained against his will while pertinent questions are directed to him. Of course, the person stopped is not obliged to answer, answers may not be compelled, and refusal to answer furnishes no basis for an arrest, although it may alert the officer to the need for continued observation." 88 S.Ct., at 1886 (White, J., concurring).

    38. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well I know a guy called Ben Laden...

    39. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      The reason they get the DUI is because they didn't get a lawyer and fight it. These cases are dismissed in court if challenged.

      A friend of mine got a DUI for sleeping (drunk) in his car on private property. Since the keys where in the ignition, it counted as driving. The lawyer was only helpful in reducing the charge, so you statement is not true. It only takes one counter example to disprove a statement, so don't say it's antidotal.

    40. Re:Not papers, just a name by Erwos · · Score: 1

      The problem with this wonderful idea is that there's no certain way for you (the questioned person" to know whether there's probable cause. Sure, you don't think you did anything suspicious, but perhaps the police officer over there may have interpreted your actions differently. So, at best, such a law would be totally ineffective, since there's a 50/50 chance they might actually have probable cause.

      Of course, if you just gave your damn name and acted friendly to the police officer, maybe we'd all live in a nicer society. I can almost understand why the cops act all pissed off sometimes - they've got to deal with morons who make their jobs a living hell.

      -Erwos

      --
      Plausible conjecture should not be misrepresented as proof positive.
    41. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      But as always, if you are nice to cops, they will be nice to you.

      Only if they are of the other gender. Most women I know never get tickets only warnings. My one warning was from a female cop. One male cop even lied to increase the speed and fine.

    42. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Phone: RING! RING!
      Me: Hello?
      Stranger: Whose this?

      What do you do? Me, I hang up. I used to demand they tell me who they are first, but that lead to a bunch of really stupid arguments. Do you really just answer anyone's questions without a care in the world? What is your real name anyway? I don't think it's just bentini. Please post it here with your address and maybe I'll believe you.

    43. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Databases; your name is the only id they need.

      From that, they get everything else on the mobile data terminal in the cruiser.

      The Supreme Court has clearly stated that in a "Terry" stop, you do not have to respond to the officer in any way.

      The premise is, that without probable cause, the offier has no pressing societal reason to infringe your right "to be left alone."

      Read the briefs on the guy's site; they go through the whole thing from many angles.

    44. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      What's so wrong about giving a cop your name if you give it to everyone else?
      "Everyone else" doesn't haul me out of my car, handcuff me, arrest me and incarcerate me if I tell them to mind their own business. The issue here is being compelled to give the officer your name. The way this country used to work, the police were suppposed to have evidence of a crime before arresting someone.
    45. Re:Not papers, just a name by guacamolefoo · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Deputy Dove

      So close...so very close. Perhaps a few more monkeys...a few more bananas...

      Not "Who are you?". But "Show me your papers!".


      A little more menacing than Sergeant Schultz, but I still see him saying that. Take a look at my journal for some practical ideas under these circumstances. FWIW, I think that there may have been enough (clearly, IMHO) for a Terry stop. Beyond that, the tape doesn't really show anything else is warranted. Unfortunately, the rights of the accused are not a high priority for the Rehnquist court.

      Under most circumstances, acting up during a Terry stop would get him arrested. The problem here is that the cop wasn't smart enough to nail him for something like disorderly conduct.

      More importantly, I think the videotape makes this case. I couldn't find a link at the site for the case (or obtain info from the pleadings that are not downloading right now) which dealt with the source of teh video. I presume it is from the police cruiser as part of a standardized "record all traffic stops" policy?

      In thousands of stops every day, there isn't any tape. In the jurisdictions where I practice, there is generally no videotape of stops. I think it would really put the clamps on the police to open up what they do to the light of day although it protects both the accused (from some types of police misconduct) and the police (from allegations of misconduct/abuse).

      On an unrelated note, I gather that you are the same John Gilmore (Sun) who filed the amicus brief (through counsel) and the same John Gilmore as this person?

      GF.

    46. Re:Not papers, just a name by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 1

      Maybe the policeman is an Aussie working the winter in the US.

      That's one crazy cop: he goes from winter to spring to winter to fall; personally, I'd rather have two summers to two winters.

    47. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was once stopped by a cop because I 'didn't look like I belonged in that neighborhood' -- while driving on a major street through the town I lived in at the time. Admittedly it was a generally wealthy suburb and I lived in the older, crappier part and drove an older car. When I said I lived in that town he made up some crap story about how supposedly he had a report of a red Thunderbird driving fast through the area. I told him that I didn't see how my brown Chevy could possibly be mistaken for a red Thunderbird, I was driving under the speed limit and I had just driven in from out of town. About then my friend in the car who happened to be holding a camera broke out laughing, at which the cop got red faced, threw my drivers license back at me and walked back to his patrol car in a huff... I don't think he wanted to take the chance of there being photographic evidence of him being an ass.

    48. Re:Not papers, just a name by Linus+Sixpack · · Score: 1

      The policeman was rude in not even asking the guys name.

      " You give me your name Horsemaster and we'll give you ours. " Gimli

    49. Re:Not papers, just a name by gcaseye6677 · · Score: 1

      Sounds like a really shitty lawyer. Not only were they not driving, but they were not even on a road. Traffic laws cannot be enforced outside of public roads. If what you are saying is true, cops could go through a privately owned campground some evening and arrest any person sleeping in an RV that happens to be intoxicated. And since it would be hard to prove who was driving if nobody was in the driver's seat, they'd just have to arrest everyone in the vehicle, wouldn't they?

    50. Re:Not papers, just a name by tftp · · Score: 1

      It is legal for anyone to lie, except when under oath. A cop can lie whenever he sees any benefit in it.

    51. Re:Not papers, just a name by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      You have to ask yourself what the cop should reasonably assume. IMHO the cop should assume that an intoxicated man may have been driving the truck. Which means asking for a license is reasonable.

      Absolutely. In which case, when the man asked why his ID was being demanded, the officer should have said that it is "on suspicion of driving under the influence", and the guy would have been in the wrong. The officer repeatedly refused to tell the guy why he was being detained or why his ID was being demanded.

    52. Re:Not papers, just a name by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      The problem with this wonderful idea is that there's no certain way for you (the questioned person" to know whether there's probable cause.

      And you *definitely* can't make that judgement if the cop refuses to tell you *why* you're being detained and your ID requested.

    53. Re:Not papers, just a name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hiibel hadn't even been driving the truck -- his daughter had.

      From his general behavior of the tape I would bet 9:1 odds that this is not actually true.

      But as you say, he was not seen driving, so he should not be required to have an ID.

    54. Re:Not papers, just a name by Alsee · · Score: 1

      The problem with this wonderful idea is that there's no certain way for you (the questioned person" to know whether there's probable cause.

      If he doesn't have probable cause to hold someone already then then ignoring him and walking away does not create cause to hold someone.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  17. Re:What is there to hide? by fishbowl · · Score: 5, Informative

    He HAS a good reason. The BEST reason. He is defending his (and your, and my) rights. Defense of your rights and fundamental freedoms is the ONLY thing worth killing or dying for.

    Everything else is trivial.

    One of the few things that distinguishes America as a free country is the absense of checkpoints and "papers please" where your very existence is presumed to be a crime until YOU demonstrate that you have a right to exist and that you are free to go.

    --
    -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
  18. Yes, but... by ShockerFan · · Score: 1, Funny

    Yes, but who will investigate the investigators' investigators?

    --

    Ask me about The Shocker!

    1. Re:Yes, but... by nomadic · · Score: 1

      I dunno, coast guard?

    2. Re:Yes, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      -simpsons quote-
      I dunno... the coastguard?
      -simpsons-

  19. I don't get it, what is the problem here ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Why didn't this guy just show his ID ? Was he a criminal ? How are we supposed to fight the war on terror if people have attitudes like this ? The cop was just doing his job. If this guy wasn't breaking the law why was he so scared of identifying himself ? No smoke without fire.

    1. Re:I don't get it, what is the problem here ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The problem is we don't live in a police state, and the officer has no right to bother someone not breaking the law. Its none of his freakin business what the guy is doing as long as it breaks no law. So do you think its ok for the police to just randomly ask for ID just cause they wanna?

    2. Re:I don't get it, what is the problem here ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      To beg the question further, why did the cop need to see ID before he would dicsuss the problem that brought him to the scene?

    3. Re:I don't get it, what is the problem here ? by malchus842 · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Ben Frankling got it exactly right:
      "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
      Truer words have never been spoken.

      If I have a choice of totalitarian government or terrorists, I'll take my chances with the terrorists any day.
  20. Read the full story by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    The police office was responding to a possible domestic violence situation.

    This was covered much more in depth on kuro5hin.org days ago!

    1. Re:Read the full story by exhilaration · · Score: 1

      Then why didn't he make sure that the girl was OK? He didn't even talk to her until her father had been arrested and she herself was freaking out.

    2. Re:Read the full story by QuickSilver_999 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually, this part DOES make sense. The officer was responding to a possible domestic violence situation. The gentleman, if you wish to call him that, in question appeared agitated (Hmmm... I think /. needs a spell checker... That doesn't look right.), refused a simple request for information, paced back and forth, repeatedly mentioned being taken to jail, and was extremely non-cooperative.

      In such a situation, the first thing an officer does is attempt to seperate the parties. This was done by requesting that the gentleman step away from the vehicle and remain by the front hood of the cruiser. This also manages to get him on the camera in the cruiser. I couldn't watch the whole clip however... Something is wrong with my QuickTime, and the WMV version would not download at all.

      At some point, another officer arrives. He sees the first responder working with an aggressive individual. At this point, the other occupant of the vehicle attempts to exit. In this situation, this is an immediate trouble sign. Usually in this case, the officer in question will quickly have 2 people attacking him. The second officer attempts to prevent the driver from leaving the vehicle. When she succeeds, she is placed under arrest. This is to prevent the two from teaming up on the cops.

      Had he arrived, and the father was calm and rational, answered questions, remained in the area the officer asked him to, didn't start showing signs of aggression, and yes, simply produced a driver's license if he had it on him (most cops would completely understand a "I don't have my license on me"), then he probably would have proceeded to speak with the daughter, and gotten things squared away. Instead, due to the reactions of the father, he quickly became suspicious, and felt a need to protect himself from the father.

      Did he have probable cause? Yes. There was a report of a domestic violence incident, the truck was identified, as well as the father. Did he start by calmly asking questions? Yes. Did he act in accordance with his training? Probably.

      As for some of the other comments spouted off, such as "Innocent until proven guilty..." that is inside a courtroom. The court, and the jury, must at all times believe the defendant in innocent, UNTIL THE STATE HAS PROVEN GUILT. This does NOT mean that a cop has to assume you're innocent. If I have a report that a 6 foot 6 redhead wearing a purple T-Shirt just shoplifted a Sony Boombox, and I see you standing there on the corner, a 6' 6" redhead, purple t-shirt, holding a Sony Boombox to his ear... Well, my presumption is going to be you're the guilty party. However, to the jury, you're innocent until I trace that boom box back to the Walmart it was stolen from using serial numbers, id tags, etc. This is why cops don't make good jurors.

      Now, there's one more point to consider. The 2 highest incidences resulting in fatalities to cops are... Ready? Traffic Stops and Domestic Abuse calls. We have a vehicle on the side of the road that has been called in as a possible domestic abuse. Are we going to be a little more tense than normal answering this call? I don't know about you, but I'm sure I would be.

      --
      - No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades really cramps his style.
  21. Happened to me by Gothmolly · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Several years ago, I ended up working late on some Microsoft catastrophe at work. By the time I got home at 1am, I was too keyed up to sleep, so I went for a walk. This is in a suburban-rural area, typical small town neighborhood. While walking around, a police cruiser pulls up, the window rolled down, and the spotlight went in my face. The conversation went something like:

    Cop: Hey pal, whats going on?
    Me: Nothing, just out for a walk.
    Cop: Kind of late for that.
    Me: Well I just got home from work and I'm still really awake.
    Cop: Got any ID?
    Me: Um sure..whats going on? (fumbled for wallet, gave license)
    Cop: (mutters into radio with my info)
    Me: Is there some problem, has there been a crime reported?
    Cop: Um yes, we've had reports of someone walking around.
    At this point, a truck LOADED with lawn furniture, to the point where it's mounded up in the back, with ropes holding it in, drives by. Driver and passenger of said truck watch carefully. Eventually, I was released, after being asked if I was wanted for anything. Had I been old (was 24 at the time), or walking a dog, or female, I'm sure none of that would have happened.

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    1. Re:Happened to me by Neil+Blender · · Score: 5, Funny

      I ended up working late on some Microsoft catastrophe at work.

      Nice. Work in a dig at Microsoft. Ah, Slashdot.

    2. Re:Happened to me by dnixon112 · · Score: 1

      As much as I can sympathize with how you were inconvenienced, if it was nothing more then 10 minutes of your time I would consider that a job well done by the cops. The fact of the matter is, young males commit most crimes, don't take it personally. And although in some regards it's troubling to see the steps the US government is taking in terms of law enforcement, stopping people who look suspicious (even if they're innocent) late at night to ask them what they're doing is not something I consider a breach of privacy or any other such nonsense.

    3. Re:Happened to me by sploxx · · Score: 1

      Heh, you got off lightly for committing this crime: ...Doing a walk at night...

      Seriously, I sometimes think that these events show how non-free people are. Not to blame the authorities for anything here, and not to exaggerate this, but if it is suspicious to go out at night, something is wrong. It is this fear of being linked to a criminal in any way that makes people more and more conforming, close-minded and easily controllable.

    4. Re:Happened to me by Cryptnotic · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      They didn't arrest him. They didn't force him to go back inside. They just asked who he was and they made a judgement that he wasn't the one they were looking for. It is suspicious to go out at night in an area where there are crimes being committed.

      Say someone phones in a stabbing. Is it wrong for the police to stop a man standing around on the street soaked in blood holding a knife and ask him for ID?

      --
      My other first post is car post.
    5. Re:Happened to me by sensei_brandon · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Me too.
      I was jogging after work one night and a cop drove up on the sidewalk in front of me, lights on. I was wearing khakis and a shirt and jogging down the sidewalk at about midnight. He asked if I was on any drugs, then if I was on any illegal drugs, as though the first question weren't all-inclusive. I asked him if I was under arrest, and he said no, but wanted to know where I lived. I told him, and he said he'd wait for me to finish jogging and if he didn't see me come in the house in 20 minutes he'd go looking for me. WTF?

    6. Re:Happened to me by cptgrudge · · Score: 1
      I was at work late (2 AM) one night doing some maintenance on a few servers. A co-worker of mine and I went out for a walk to have a cigarette (can't smoke on public school property). As we were walking back in, a squad car rolled up behind us. Two officers got out.

      Cop: What are you guys doing here?
      Me: We're doing some computer mainentance. We work here.
      Cop: Isn't it a little late to be here?
      Me: Computers don't sleep. Sometimes we don't either.
      Cop: Could we see your IDs?
      Me: Sure thing.

      As the cops check our IDs, my co-worker and I shoot the breeze while leaning up against the back of my car. Cop comes back out. Perhaps the "PC FXR" license plate on my car tipped them off.

      Cop: Here are your IDs back. We figured to wait until morning to verify employment.
      Me: That's real swell of you.

      We talked a little more as the cops drove off, in no hurry to leave.

      Now were these cops justified in asking for our IDs? Probably. The school board for my employer mandates that the school building and associated grounds are closed at 10 PM. It isn't real often that you see cars in the parking lot of a school in the wee hours of the morning. I was a bit irritated by it all, but that was probably because it was late. However, if we had just been in a public parking lot, things might have been different.

      --
      Qualitas edurus commercium, nullus penitus net rimor, nullus deus beneficium
    7. Re:Happened to me by ShockerFan · · Score: 0
      At this point, a truck LOADED with lawn furniture, to the point where it's mounded up in the back, with ropes holding it in, drives by.....

      Can you please fill us in on this plot development? I'm sure more than a few of us were hanging on to every word. Basically...where were you going with this?

      --

      Ask me about The Shocker!

    8. Re:Happened to me by Winlin · · Score: 1

      What crimes were being committed? The officer said they had reports of someone 'walking around' Last thing I heard that isn't a crime.

    9. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're kidding right? A job well done by the cops to profile a citizen? Wait, he was suspicious, violating that curfew and everything.Racial profiling is bad enough, now I have to watch out for being a "young male."
      I bet the typical /. reader is a 17 year old male who doesn't have a girlfriend, and spends most of his time on the computer. ELECTRONIC TERRORISM, obviously.

    10. Re:Happened to me by Percy_Blakeney · · Score: 1
      The fact of the matter is, young males commit most crimes


      Maybe or maybe not, but what does that matter? If there were a statistic that said that 90% of car thefts are done by people under 5 feet tall, does that mean that a cop can pull someone over if they are short and drive a nice car? No! It's the same thing with this guy; the cop had no logical reason to suspect him of doing anything wrong, he just had a "hunch." Call me crazy, but I don't like cops with illogical hunches, and I don't think they should be able to question people for no legitimate reason.


      stopping people who look suspicious...is not something I consider a breach of privacy


      What does it mean to "look suspicious"? Does a black guy with expensive jewelry and a nice car qualify? No. How about a guy walking around a neighborhood at night? No. Now, if the cop had received a complaint that the guy was hanging around someone else's house, that would be suspicious, but talking a late-night constitutional is hardly criminal!

    11. Re:Happened to me by sploxx · · Score: 1

      > Say someone phones in a stabbing. Is it wrong for the police to stop a man standing around on the street soaked in blood holding a knife and ask him for ID?

      No, of course not. But I doubt that he was soaked in blood and swung a knife :)
      I just think it is not uncommon to go out for a walk. Apparently, in his area, this is not the case. If it is not the worst weather that hinders people from doing that, what else?
      Of course, because I don't know the exact circumstances, it may well be that something made him look suspicious for very real reasons.

    12. Re:Happened to me by freakmn · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I think if people call anything in, the cops are supposed to investigate. It just covers their butts so they can't be called negligent.

      I have a funny story about the cops showing up at a LAN party. We had a 24 hour LAN party ata local computer shop, and a few people decided to leave at 5AM, instead of staying until it ended at 10AM. I guess some neighbors thought it looked a little suspicious to have as dozen people walking out of a computer shop at 5AM and load computers into their cars. About 1/2 hour later, 4 squad cars pulled in and started asking questions about what was going on. They stayed around for 1/2 hour, talking to the only employee there, who, if you were looking for someone suspicious, would be the first suspect. They left, but the same incident happened a few weeks later at the next one. Now the owners of the store call before they have a LAN. It was kinda funny, but I guess they were doing their job.

      --
      warning: This post is likely to contain gobs of dripping sarcasm. Consume at your own risk.
    13. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Had I been old (was 24 at the time), or walking a dog, or female, I'm sure none of that would have happened.

      And your point is? Cops only have so much to go on. They aren't going to stop a 60 year old grandma out walking her dog to see if she stole some furniture.

    14. Re:Happened to me by Cryptnotic · · Score: 2, Interesting

      dozen people walking out of a computer shop at 5AM and load computers into their cars.

      Yeah, that would look a little suspicious.

      But anyway, they got a call and they investigated it. If the next day, the store owner calls the police and says, "hey we had $50,000 worth of computer stuff stolen", they've got a suspect.

      My original point is that if the police are investigating a documented report of suspicious activity, then they have a right to go to the scene and question people. On the other hand, if they're just hanging out on the street stopping people for no reason (e.g., fishing), then that's not only a waste of their time, but it's also unreasonable search. On another hand though, if a cop is just driving around and he sees a crime being committed (say someone smoking pot in public), they can stop the person and make an arrest or issue a citation.

      The police are far more aware of the laws than the average citizen because if a policeman screws up, the jailer, district attorney, and judge will be upset at him for wasting everyone's time.

      --
      My other first post is car post.
    15. Re:Happened to me by General+Winter · · Score: 0

      You may not see a problem, but I do. I'd rather be judged on my own actions, not by the actions of others with the same age, gender, etc. You'll feel different when it happens to you.

    16. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This officer was doing his job - its not "normal" for people to walk around very late at night in a residential area, someone called it in and he stopped you, determined you were not a criminal and let you go. Eric Rudolph was arreseted this way - a cop saw him behind a closed business and decided to check it out... and he caught one of the FBI's most wanted.

      I check most everyone I come into contact with to see if they are wanted. It looks realy bad when you recognise someone on the 10 most wanted list as the guy in that fender bender this morning. I've even arrested someone that way... "good news and bad news sir, the good news is the other driver is a fault for the accident, the bad news is there is a warrant for your arrest"

      Many people don't realize just how many fugitives/criminals get arrested because of a simple traffic stop. Lets face it we can't look for everyone that has a failure to appear or battery warrant out, its not worth the cost.

    17. Re:Happened to me by angle_slam · · Score: 1
      Seriously, I sometimes think that these events show how non-free people are.

      How 'free' do you think other countries are?

    18. Re:Happened to me by BugZRevengE · · Score: 1

      This happend to us, cops patrol downtown, and saw us loading computers into our cars at 3am... asked us what was happening - but were cool, and let us go when the owner explained...

      --
      Why me? Why not!
      BACKUP YOUR PARTITIONS
    19. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ahh how easily you give away your right "to be left alone"; the framers would be proud.

    20. Re:Happened to me by sploxx · · Score: 1

      I'm not whining about how bad everything is. But you have to watch and point out flaws to keep a system running. Ohh, and that's also true for computers I suppose ;)

    21. Re:Happened to me by Pentagram · · Score: 1

      I think he was saying that he works in Redmond and was writing some code for Longhorn.

    22. Re:Happened to me by dnixon112 · · Score: 1

      It has happened to me, a few times. I'm 22 and I often skateboard around the city at night. In fact I often skate the same places, and although I do get kicked off of private property I'm allowed to skate on the streets and it has happened to me that I end up talking to the same cops more than once, who in turn get to know me. Maybe everyone's mentality in the US is that every cop is just another faceless government entity. Whereas once you get to know those cops you'll realize that we're all in the same community, and if you can't talk to each other, yes even cops, without erecting personal barriers then maybe there's something wrong with your community. It's nice to be able to trust your local cops enough to talk to them like normal human beings. I'm sure all the soldiers in Iraq are being told to try and get to know the people, just as cops in North America should too.

      I live in Montreal, a city of 3+ million and around 7 years ago the city started a community police program where instead of large centralized police stations, they would have smaller community stations. I've never been arrested but I have had my ID checked before, I've been stopped a number of times, mostly because of skateboarding (it used to be much worse) but the fact is, if you hold that against those cops what's going to change? Nothing, animosity between the cops and citizens grows. If you treat them like regular people, chances are they'll do the same to you. Patriot act civil rights abuse notwithstanding.

    23. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A friend of mine used to like jogging at night during the summer when it isn't so hot and muggy... Well, like most people who jog, he normally only wore sweats and a t-shirt. No pockets, and no reason to carry an ID you'd think -- he isn't driving and he was within easy jogging distance of his apartment. Well, he got hauled down to the police station and generally treated like public enemy number one because a cop decided that nobody should be out and about at night without ID or something. He had to call and wake up one of his roomates to bring down his drivers license to the station to get them to let him go.

    24. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've been pulled over for driving an old car on a major street through a rich suburb which I lived in (albiet in the older, poorer part) because I "didn't look like I belonged there". I'm like... I'm going home, I live here...

    25. Re:Happened to me by idsofmarch · · Score: 1

      No because that would constitute probable cause, please see the definition here: http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/315/315lect06.htm . The Fourth Ammendment requires probable cause and protects against unreasonable searches. Read that, unreasonable searches. In the case of the article, Hibble is not required to show an ID under federal law although he is under California law, so the Supreme Court is to decide whether this is Constitutional, and they are supposed to do. You make the same assumption that the police often do, if a crime has been committed all citizens are guilty until proven innocent, while this is a mindset brought on by the inherent reality of an officer's job, it is still wrong. You should be able to walk down the street any time without being questioned by a police officer, however it is reasonable for them to question you, and for you to refuse. If someone is on one side of the street bloody and holding a samurai sword and someone is on the other side of the street with their hands in their pockets, your reasoning would have the police stop both because a crime had been committed in the neighborhood.

      --
      Anyone who whines about being modded down should be.
    26. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fucking PIG cop. I hate you idiots, you killed my brother and my father, I'll get you all one day!

    27. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My husband reports that when he was a long-haired 17-year-old he was pulled over while backing out of his own driveway.

    28. Re:Happened to me by JimBobJoe · · Score: 1

      A little bit ago I came back home to my parents house (college student) and I set off the alarm system (was accidentally set to automatically go off when front door was opened, whereas my rents always entered through garage door.) I told the alarm company the special code, so they were happy, but police had already been called, and were not told that there was no issue.

      Cop shows up, I'm watching TV, I see him through patio door. He asks me what's going on, I told him the story. Then he asks to see my driver's license.

      I think where I got insulted here was that I was being asked for my driver's license *in my own house.* The one that I had lived in 6 years prior, and which my own car, parked in my driveway, is registered to, et cetera.

      I refused. He then asked for my SSN number. I gave him that because I was a pussy.

      Later I called the police department and complained. I asked the sheriff "before there were photos and licenses, and before the state collected SSN's for licenses, what would you have asked for?"

      He replied "ohh...your name."

    29. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're a fucking idiot.

    30. Re:Happened to me by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      I told him, and he said he'd wait for me to finish jogging and if he didn't see me come in the house in 20 minutes he'd go looking for me.

      So he's bullshitting to try and scare you into giving your real address in case you handed him a fake one. Cops aren't required to tell the truth.

    31. Re:Happened to me by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      Note that physical location in conjunction with information about that location may be enough for probable cause. If someone says that a shadowy figure fired shots at him less than a minute ago, and then ran down a road, and cops see you jogging along said road (and nobody else in the area), then sure, you could be searched for a gun.

      On the other hand, if you ask why the cops want to see your ID, they should tell you that "you're suspected of assault", not given repeated refusals to explain what they're about, as happened in the case in the story submission.

    32. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      its not "normal" for people to walk around very late at night in a residential area

      Police: "Consumer #501409258, get back into your heavily mortgaged house, continue watching mindless programming on TV, and consume your Coca-Cola brand sugar water!"
      Note to file: Consumer #501409258 questioning authority and displaying dangerous tendencies toward assertiveness and individuality.

    33. Re:Happened to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Even less free, but that has absolutely no relevance whatsoever.

    34. Re:Happened to me by General+Wesc · · Score: 1

      Driving around with lawn furniture at night is (slightly) suspicious. It's somethign easy to steal and something people generally don't drive around with at night. Certainly not often people carry aruond a large load.

  22. Mirror? by at_kernel_99 · · Score: 1

    Can someone post a mirror, or a direct link to the story so we can use the Google cache? The mother's /.ed already.

    1. Re:Mirror? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    2. Re:Mirror? by yack0 · · Score: 1

      http://www.talker.com/john/mov/no_id_arrest_SMALL. mov

      Now be nice kids.... please populate your OWN mirrors.

      --
      -- There is no sig line, only Zuul.
  23. This is why.. by pantycrickets · · Score: 1
  24. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Rights are like muscles. If you don't exercise them, you lose them.

  25. How could it get this far? by phriedom · · Score: 1

    I think it is really sad that none of the lower courts that heard this case overturned it.

    --
    Don't moderate flamebait as Troll. Know the difference or you will be Meta-moderated.
  26. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Be a good little Nazi and go along with the SS and there's nothing to worry about.

  27. Fabulous! by Cytop1asm · · Score: 0

    If you knowingly did nothing wrong, then why would you withold your license? For the principle of the thing? It would make so much more sense to show your ID to save from paying $250 especially if you know you did nothing wrong.
    The police officer has every right in this case to demand the ID and arrest him if he doesn't give some sort of identification.

    1. Re:Fabulous! by markb · · Score: 1

      Because if you don't stand up for your rights, your rights tend to get trampled.

    2. Re:Fabulous! by zeno_2 · · Score: 0, Troll

      So its illegal to not have an ID on you now?

    3. Re:Fabulous! by Cytop1asm · · Score: 0

      At least the lower courts agree with me!

    4. Re:Fabulous! by Cytop1asm · · Score: 0

      No. If he didn't have one, then he could have said that and the officer would have handled it differently.

    5. Re:Fabulous! by Trauma_Hound1 · · Score: 1

      That's not the point, we have a constitution, but obviously you don't believe in that paper, otherwise you would have realized just how stupid your remark was.

      --
      Don't Vote for Norm Dicks! http://www.nodicks2008.com Another nutless dirtbag that voted for the FISA bill!
  28. ACLU by Neil+Blender · · Score: 4, Informative

    Even the ACLU says to you have to show ID when stopped in a car. (read here) It is irrelevent whether or not you are parked. (You can get a dui for sitting in the driver seat of a parked car with the engine off.)

    1. Re:ACLU by toast0 · · Score: 1

      The father was not in the car. He was meerly near the car.

    2. Re:ACLU by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Stopped in a car for a violation - not "investigating an investigation". IF the police stopped him for a violation of some kind, then they are required to tell him what it is. They can't just demand your ID because they think you look suspicious.

    3. Re:ACLU by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Did you bother reading your own source? Quote:
      "...you must show your driver's license and registration when stopped in a car. In other situations, you can't legally be arrested for refusing to identify yourself to a police officer."

    4. Re:ACLU by wolf- · · Score: 1

      Except... When the officer drove up, the gentleman was NOT IN the vehicle.

      --
      ----- LoboSoft specializes in Digital Language Lab
    5. Re:ACLU by zerocool^ · · Score: 1

      (You can get a dui for sitting in the driver seat of a parked car with the engine off.)

      Incorrect. DUI by definition stands for driving under the influence. If you are not driving, then you can not by definition be driving under the influence.

      Driving us usually vague, i.e. if you are sitting in the driver's seat of the car, and a key is in the ignition, whether or not the car is on, you are the driver. However, you cannot be convicted of driving under the influence, sitting in the driver's seat, if there is no indication that you were going to drive. Until you use some functionality of the car that differentiates the front seat from an armchair in a metal cage, you aren't driving.

      --
      sig?
    6. Re:ACLU by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 1

      Can't reach the site, but kuro5hin's site's preamble states:"Dudley Hiibel was standing by his pickup truck near Winnemucca, Nevada." I think it would be relevant as to whether you are in the vehicle or not as to whether you were "stopped in a car". Otherwise, anyone walking down the sidewalk is "next to" all those parked cars.

    7. Re:ACLU by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Funny my lawyer didn't use the to get me off when I was arrested outside a bar asleep (read passed out) in the driver's seat. I guess the judge didn't know about that either when he convicted me.

    8. Re:ACLU by tfoss · · Score: 3, Informative
      All fine and good, but he wasn't stopped in a car. He was standing next to a lawfully parked vehicle.

      -Ted

      --
      -=-=- Quantum physics - the dreams stuff are made of.
    9. Re:ACLU by SagSaw · · Score: 1

      A few things. First, Mr Hiibel was not in his car. Second, his daugher had been driving, not Mr. Hiibel. IIRC, the reason you mush show ID is if you are operating the vehicle, in which case you must show that you are licensed to do so.

      --
      Come test your mettle in the world of Alter Aeon!
    10. Re:ACLU by FattMattP · · Score: 1

      Good point except that it's not relevant here. He wasn't in a vehicle.

      --
      Prevent email address forgery. Publish SPF records for y
    11. Re:ACLU by jemfinch · · Score: 1

      The guy wasn't in the car, he was standing near the car.

      Jeremy

    12. Re:ACLU by defile · · Score: 1

      Not that it does much good after the fact, but...

      If the cop corroborates your story (you were asleep in the driver's seat with the ignition off), you would have done better with a jury.

      Generally judges will interpret a law quite literally, uninterested in fine distinctions, and are not going to be emotionally swayed. They'll often apply the law to the letter.

      A jury, on the other hand, is all about weighing the law in addition to the facts. They're instructed not to, but no one can stop them from doing so, and they're much more easily swayed by stories of government abuse and it-can-happen-to-you!

      This can backfire. Just as they can acquit you if they think the law is unfair, they can convict you despite reasonable doubt just because of the nature of the crime (child molestation, for example).

    13. Re:ACLU by WildFire42 · · Score: 1
      BUZZZZZZ!!!

      Wrongo! But thank you for playing!

      In most states, the legal definition of "driving" is being behind the wheel of the car.

      Pulled from here

      Driving has two accepted components:

      The operation of a vehicle and the controling a vehicle.

      Operating a vehicle is what is common referred to is DRIVING or having the car MOVING. Seems simple enough, but it isn't.

      Moving is not the only element in driving. Controling is the other element and this has to do with the keys (controling).

      If you have the keys you have CONTROL.


      Being in a college town, one that used to be the number one party school in the nation, with one of the highest DUI rates in the nation, and having several cops as friends, I've asked them this personally.

      One of these cops looked at me, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a little card, with countless details and verbatim laws on it regarding DUI, and began quoting to me the section on "driving", and what definition they used.

      This is not a valid excuse, and will not hold up in court.
    14. Re:ACLU by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And you should kill any cop who tries to arrest you for sitting in a car. Would you kill someone who was attempting to kidnap you? What's the difference? What the law says is irrelevant. If it isn't reasonable, the law can't make it so. And obeying unreasonable laws is Nazi, not American. The most important American tradition is the violent resistance to oppression.

    15. Re:ACLU by bonkedproducer · · Score: 1

      Wanna hear a better one! When I was in the Air Force in Misawa Air Base Japan, their was a rash of DUIs happening - the US Military bases a lot of stuff like DUI etc. on base on common US state laws, handled much the same way as well - so, they started arresting people for doing things like "opening the trunk of the car to get a jacket while the temp. was less than 30 outside, but 80 inside the bar!"

      The conviction stood, and ruined a poor guys career (they needed to make an example) There was a lot of commander's calls about this, and the reasoning given was "They had the keys, were at the car, and were intoxicated so they had the ability to drive it while impaired" they didn't like it when I broght this up during their question and answer session and I mentioned that "everyone in this room has the ability to walk up on that stage and rip your testicles off and feed them to you, are you going to arrest us for assault and battery?" The other 550 or so people in the autitorium thought it was pretty good though since I got a standing ovation, and surprisingly no hassles from my commanders.

      --
      Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society - M. Twain
    16. Re:ACLU by Banjonardo · · Score: 1
      Well, a car IS an iffier story. One the one hand, it's a privilege with life-destroying potential.

      On the other, it's a power not delegated to the states, and could therefore be the citizens'. But it is a public service to keep DUIers off the streets. So now what?

      --

      -----

      Score 3? For what? Being wrong, at length? - smirkleton

    17. Re:ACLU by mikelieman · · Score: 1

      The point of that, is that when you signed your driver's license and vehicle registration applications, you AGREED to obey their RULES about operating Motor Vehicles (and showing paperwork about the car, and your license... )

      Most fucking-idiots don't know the difference between rules THEY agree to, and Laws enacted by Acts of the Legislature. And, of course, they're trained to behave.

      Cars are the premier situation where civil, administrative rules are abused to facilitate fishing expeditions to collect criminal charges.

      BTW, Abusing the rules like this is, to me, clear evidence of bad faith in the performance of their SWORN duties. Once someone forsakes their Oath, they have no Honor, and should be treated with EXTREME CAUTION.

      --
      Technology -- No Place For Wimps! Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Chatroom -- http://www.wemissjerry.org
  29. Drawing the line. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you have nothing to hide, show your damn license.

    1. What's your name?
    2. Can I see some ID?
    3. What is your reason for being here?
    4. Can I see what's in your trunk?
    5. Can I see what's in your pockets?
    6. Can I see what you have in your garage at home?
    7. Can I take a look at the contents of your hard drive?

    Where shall we draw the line, if not at #1 or #2?

    I mean, heck, if you've got nothing to hide, and teh ID check came up clean, just let the cop look in your trunk and find nothing wrong. You may as well just let him have a quick look in your pockets, also, because he'll find nothing wrong unless you have something to hide. If the officer is conducting an investigation and you have nothing to hide, then there's no reason to not let him look in your garage at home, either, unless you have something to hide. If you have nothing to hide, there's no reason to not let him look at the contents of your hard drive either, since he'll find nothing wrong.

    1. Re:Drawing the line. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      What has it gots in its pocketses?

    2. Re:Drawing the line. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In America, you make slippery slope.
      In Soviet Russia, slippery slope makes you!

    3. Re:Drawing the line. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where shall we draw the line, if not at #1 or #2?

      #7.

    4. Re:Drawing the line. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Draw it at #3. I am not kidding. The officer
      may have the right to know who you are, but
      what you are doing is not for him to know
      so easily.

    5. Re:Drawing the line. by hammock · · Score: 5, Informative

      If you are in your car, you need proof of license and proof of insurance, that's just the way it is.

      1. What's your name?
      It's on my license
      2. Can I see some ID?
      Yes here is my drivers license
      3. What is your reason for being here?
      I prefer not to discuss that with you
      4. Can I see what's in your trunk?
      I do not consent to a search of the vehicles storage compartments
      5. Can I see what's in your pockets?
      I do not consent to a search of my person
      6. Can I see what you have in your garage at home?
      I do not consent to a search of my dwelling
      7. Can I take a look at the contents of your hard drive?
      I do not consent to a search of my personal computer

      Remember also "Can I leave now?" "Am I under arrest?" "Why am I being detained?" and "I do not wish to speak with you now."

    6. Re:Drawing the line. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Why bother drawing the line? I much prefer cause and effect. Let them get through #7 and when they gawk at the MP3 collection that perfectly reflects the CD collection, you can mention

      "So now that you've wasted several hundred dollars of taxpayer money, which budget increase were you hoping that I'd vote for again?"

      Public. Servant. And most of the city ones are pretty civil, too.

    7. Re:Drawing the line. by LauraScudder · · Score: 1

      My sister got pulled over once as a teenager. The cop was clearly on a fishing trip hoping to find she was doing something wrong. He didn't give any reason for pulling her over, which is not allowed in Texas at least, and then after looking over the inside of her car demanded to search the trunk. Having just taken a high school government class, she refused without seeing a warrant. He continued asking and threatening to arrest her until she finally consented to let him search it since, "she had nothing to hide there." All that was there was a bag of bottles she was taking to recycling for our mom. The cop dug through the entire bag until he found a cleaned out beer bottle with the label removed. He wrote her up for MIP, which she quite sucessfully challenged in court.

      As soon as you let cops search without probable cause they're guaranteed to harass innocent people. Not the guys in a Lexus or a Benz, but they'll harass the hell out of teenagers and minorities (more than now I mean). Just the way power works.

    8. Re:Drawing the line. by eyempack · · Score: 1

      This does not always work, On a journey through a southern state. With my best friend we were accosted by police of that state. When pulled over for no apparent reason. He attempted to find reason. When he told me, "Since our computers can not run your id's, we will be required to search the vehicle" I responded as the owner of vehicle, "I do not consent to a search and why are we being detained" As he continues to grill us with questions about each other, he had since removed my friend from the car. When the story's checked out he called in for 5 other patrol cars. Once they all pulled up and we were asked to get away from the car. I asked "May i please take my jacket it is a cold night, and i didn't expect to be illegally searched at 4am" My request was deny-ed. Then for 1 and 1/2 hours they meticulously tore apart my car. Looking for anything near contraband. They emptied our suitcases on the side of the road, they jacked up the car looking into caverns in the exhaust system, they used fiber optic scopes to search inside the door molding and doors, sonogram-ed my tires. In the end, they found nothing. Upon allowing us to go back to my car, i asked for his badge number and the badge number of all other officers involved he proceeded to ignore me and head back to his RPC (Radio Patrol Car). This was an enlightening experience for a NY 'boy' in a southern state, and being nice has nothing to do with having your rights violated it just sucks getting them violated weather you are nice or not.

  30. The EFF? by JoeBaldwin · · Score: 3, Insightful

    While it's nice to have them on his side, why would the EFF want to be in this case? I thought their brief was *electronic* rights.

    1. Re:The EFF? by Paul+Lamere · · Score: 1

      I think the EFF is mentioned because John Gilmore, one of the founders of the EFF (and Sun Microsystems employee number 5) is filing in amicus brief . Mr. Gilmore has been fighting for the Freedom to Travel . A similar case.

    2. Re:The EFF? by John+Gilmore · · Score: 2, Informative

      EFF filed a brief because they believe in privacy and anonymity.

      (Also, working with me has educated them on some issues around ubiquitous ID demands. Turns out that most of these ID demands are backed by big databases; the ID is used as a key to search them. E.g., a cop radios in your license number and they tell him things about you from the NCIC database. Or the cop uses the multi-state MATRIX web access from the laptop in the police car. Or the TSA's CAPPS-2 looks up your credit records to suspect you if you don't have any credit -- and cross-checks them against your ID when you show up at the airport.)

  31. HERE IS A RELEVANT LINK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://www.talkleft.com/archives/005908.html#00590 8

    TOOK 2 SECONDS TO FIND ON GOOGLE, YOU'RE WELCOME.

  32. Article text by jericho34 · · Score: 1

    Meet Dudley Hiibel. He's a 59 year old cowboy who owns a small ranch outside of Winnemucca, Nevada. He lives a simple life, but he's his own man. You probably never would have heard of Dudley Hiibel if it weren't for his belief in the U.S. Constitution. One balmy May evening back in 2000, Dudley was standing around minding his own business when all of a sudden, a policeman pulled-up and demanded that Dudley produce his ID. Dudley, having done nothing wrong, declined. He was arrested and charged with "failure to cooperate" for refusing to show ID on demand. And it's all on video. On the 22nd of March 2004, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether Dudley and the rest of us live in a free society, or in a country where we must show "the papers" whenever a cop demands them Welcome to Humboldt County. Papers, Please. No? You're Under Arrest.

    --
    and thus brain shall rule us!
  33. it's called refusing a resonable request. by p51d007 · · Score: 0, Troll

    When are people going to get it through their thick skulls. Driving an automobile (since this guy was parked IN a car) is considered a PRIVLEDGE, not a right. If you read the driving manual for any state, it will have in it (paraphrasing) "driving is a privledge granted by the department of revenue of (insert your own state). This priveledge can be revoked at such time by the director of revenue. Also, according the the laws (at least in my state), if you FAIL to produce an ID, as requested by an officer, then you may be arrested for "failing to obey a resonable request by an officer" We have laws for a reason, and when someone doesn't like one, they whinnnnneeeeee and complain instead of using the system to get the law changed. I don't like a lot of the laws on the books, but I'm not going to break them, I'm going to work within the system to get them changed, leagally.

    1. Re:it's called refusing a resonable request. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      One way of working within the system to get an _unconstitutional_ law changed is to challenge it in the courts. The courts are an important and integral check in the system. In order to have a test case for a law, someone needs to be tried for breaking it.

      Of course, there is the danger that the law will be upheld, however many times people had to take the risk of breaking a law to allow a challenge. This is how the laws prohibiting condom sales in the US were struck down.

    2. Re:it's called refusing a resonable request. by Loki_1929 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "Driving an automobile"

      His daughter had been driving, not him.

      "since this guy was parked IN a car"

      Actually, he was standing outside, leaning up against it when the police arrived.

      "Also, according the the laws (at least in my state), if you FAIL to produce an ID, as requested by an officer, then you may be arrested for "failing to obey a resonable request by an officer""

      Then you must have been the only one not either laughing or offended when seeing movies depicting Soviet troops demanding that civilians "show me your papers!".

      "We have laws for a reason, and when someone doesn't like one, they whinnnnneeeeee and complain instead of using the system to get the law changed."

      He is currently challenging the constitutionality of the law at the Supreme Court. How is this not working within the system?

      " I don't like a lot of the laws on the books, but I'm not going to break them, I'm going to work within the system to get them changed, leagally."

      Then you must really hate the entire civil rights movement, which engaged in mass civil disobedience protests.

      What would you have this man do if he didn't have any ID? What if he didn't drive, didn't have a bank account, didn't have any bills sent to his house, and didn't get a state ID? There are indeed many who do not want the government tracking their every move, and thus choose to live a simpler life. That, at least for the time being, is their right. You and John Ashcroft may indeed one day get bar codes tatooed on every newborn's skull, but for now, there's nothing wrong with living outside the 'world'.

      Tell you what, even though this is slashdot, if you're going to put together such a longwinded and self-righteous post, how about reading at least PART of the article? Otherwise, your post will, as this one does, simply ooze ignorance.

      --
      -- "Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else."
    3. Re:it's called refusing a resonable request. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Firstly, you can drive on private property WITHOUT a license. For you to drive on PUBLIC roads you need to be licensed.

      Secondly, what if you don't have an ID? Where is it written that everyone must have a state or federal government issued ID? What if all I have is a social security card and birth certificate?

    4. Re:it's called refusing a resonable request. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And it is now illegal in your state to not have ID? I know plenty of people who cannot get a driver's license. They are required to get a state ID anyway? Sounds pretty funky. If we all agreed with your way of thinking, next thing you know, ID chips will be implanted under your skin. Thanks for your concern though.
      You don't follow laws just because they exist. You follow laws when they have a geniune purpose in serving the public safety. In this case, it does not.

    5. Re:it's called refusing a resonable request. by crazy+al's · · Score: 1

      Ummm, he was not sitting in his truck. He was standing beside it, on the PASSENGER'S side. Not in it. Nope, not in it.... his daughter was in it - until the police let her get out, and then put her to the ground, cuffed her and sat on her. Just the facts, ma'am, quoth Sergeant Joe Friday, LAPD

      --
      Crazy Al's House of Intertubes - where we make up in volume what we lose per bit...
    6. Re:it's called refusing a resonable request. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      it's written in the lawbooks my friend. i believe the age is 18 that you have to have one with you at all times (at least in my state)

    7. Re:it's called refusing a resonable request. by Jo3sh · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "when someone doesn't like one, they whinnnnneeeeee and complain instead of using the system to get the law changed."

      It seems to me that Mr. Hiibel *is* using the system to get the law changed; he's using the Contitutional system of checks and balances. If you remember your Jr. High civics classes, there are (in the US) three braches of government specifically so that one or another can't get too powerful. Mr. Hiibel is simply using the Judical branch's power to attempt to check and balance thejudicial branch.

    8. Re:it's called refusing a resonable request. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So far as I can tell, this law has no counterpart in Canada. Random ID's by the police are not tolerated.

      In an unrelated note, we also have no Patriot Act or Homeland Security. Just the other day on the news, an American woman tried to enter Canada at the Peace Arch with a hand grenade in her SUV!

  34. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful
    Please bend over while the nice officer pulls on his latex glove for your cavity search. After all, he's investigatin an investigation.

    If I'm parked somewhere doing no wrong in the US, I don't need to prove who I am. Now, if this were Soviet Russia 20 years ago, occupied Germany 60 years ago, etc. Sure. But I'm trying to remember what the diference there is...

  35. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by G4from128k · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You'll see them come up to some guy who seems like he's just minding his own business, and they'll totally abuse his rights -- although in their defense, in the end, the guy always ends up being guilty of something. No one sees the COPS footage were the innocent person was abused, found to be innocent, and then let go -- that would not make good TV.

    --
    Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.
  36. Re:What is there to hide? by Will242 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Did y'all read the article?

    What everyone here seems to be missing is the fact that the officer was responding to a report (eg, some other citizen called the police) of domestic violence after seeing this guy argue with his daughter in the truck, and in fact, there had already been a physical exchange between the guy and his daughter.

    Then, once additional officers arrive and the arrest is in progress the daugher tries to *phsyically force her way* past one of the cops. I just can't feel for the supposed "victims" in this case even after having read only their side of the story...

  37. This was on Kuro5hin by ryancerium · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Some of the comments on K5 were very good, especially the ones by people who RTFA and watched the friendly video. Despite my own right-sided tendencies, I don't side with this guy. He'd been drinking, he'd been arguing, he was rude to the cop (which shouldn't be illegal, but is certainly stupid), and generally isn't a good guy. There are insinuations that the subtitles in the video don't actually agree with what people are actually saying, which makes his position appear weaker.

    I hope not carrying ID, or not giving it out w/out good reason, stays legal, but I also hope that drunk, obnoxious jerks get regulated on.

    1. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by ThomK · · Score: 2, Insightful

      What makes you assume he was drunk? If anything the cop should have been sensitive to the fact that he was already under stress from fighting with his wife. That is the COPS fault. You don't walk into a domestic situation like that and just start barking orders at someone who is already on an emotional rampage. Men under stress can snap, the cop could have gotten a lot more than he asked for, for being such a dick.

      --

      TK

    2. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by sweetooth · · Score: 1

      He was fighting with his daughter and he was not detained or charged with either drunk driving or public intoxication which would/should have happened had he been drunk. The parent just threw that in to make thier point look better.

    3. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He wasn't driving - his daughter was.

    4. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by 1029 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Yeah, what a jerk. Fine him! Attitude police everywhere unite!

      Seriously now, is saying "I have right sided tendencies" (whatever the hell that is supposed to mean) supposed to pacify us and make us think "Well gee, if this guy is generally a Republicrat and he approves of the cops doing this, it must be ok?"

      I'd post a link to the video, but I can't find it anywhere on the net and I forget what newsgroup post I originally found it in. The file is called no_id_arrest_SMALL.mov for anyone who cares to search around on their own. And from what I could understand being said on the tape the subtitles were pretty damned accurate. In fact, many times they only printed "(garbled)", when I could in fact plainly make out what was being said. I think they just wanted to air very much on the side of caution about captioning what was being said.

      Anyhow, this guy seemed out of it, but beyond that did nothing at all to get arrested. In fact the cop started giving him trouble and the guy just told him not to touch him, and asked pretty plainly why it was that he was being harrassed. When the cop said something along of the lines of "I'm investigating... stuff" the guy then asked why that made him have to give ID. In the end this guy just gave up and told the cop he wasn't going to give id, but if the cop wanted he could go right ahead and arrest him. Which the cop then did.

      Then comes the best part... 2 more cops show up, run up to this guys truck and start harassing the passenger. They held the door shut for awhile, and when they finally let it open they literally grabbed the girl inside and slammed her to the ground. Fairly small girl, not nearly a match for these 2 cops, and as far as I could tell she did nothing more than perhaps yell at them. She certainly wasn't resisting anything.

      These guys are just a bunch of backwater fucktards on a power trip. I hope they get their asses in a sling for this. Cops should spend their time arresting criminals, not harassing semi-argumentative old guys.

      --
      - I love animals. I try to eat at least one a day.
    5. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by VFVTHUNTER · · Score: 1

      OK.....your position is that cops should be "sensitive" and "nice" and "cool" to wife beaters? WTF is up with that? Better to have him snap on the cop who can kick his ass, than snap on his wife in a year or two and blow her brains out before he decides to kill himself.

      Cops don't have to be fucking cool to people. I believe strongly in personal freedoms, have no respect for John "my Head is up my" Ashcroft, but oh how I long for the days when people looked at cops with a sense of awe and respect.

    6. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by guacamolefoo · · Score: 1

      generally isn't a good guy

      So what? I don't care if he raped and ate the Lindhberg Baby. Even the least among us have these rights and especially the least among us need to be treated accordingly.

      GF.

    7. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      oh how I long for the days when people looked at cops with a sense of awe and respect.

      the world has changed, andy griffith. nowadays we realize that cops don't automatically deserve "awe and respect" just because of their line of work. they are people, just like us.

      oftentimes, as you would probably know if you'd ever innocently gotten on one's bad side, they are people who have their particular jobs not for any noble reason but because they enjoy intimidating people, and they certainly know that as cops, they will get away with it nearly every time.

      nothing makes cops holy. they are humans with jobs that give them power. that is all.

    8. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by /dev/trash · · Score: 1

      You caught that too? I like where they inserted "garbled". Yet I heard clearly what the guy was saying.

    9. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by bonkedproducer · · Score: 1

      RTFA - #1 - wasn't his wife it was his 17 year old daughter! She had punched him and they had argued (guess that justifies all this in your book?)

      AND WATCH THE VIDEO - he is calmly smoking a cigarette, standing outside the truck talking to her when the officer arrives - and the officer never once tries to find out her condition - the first interaction with the daughter is the second officer slamming the door of the truck in her face and then, once she opens the door throwing her to the ground, as he and two other officers tackle and cuff her.

      But, hey who is talking about violence against women here?

      --
      Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society - M. Twain
    10. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by Vellmont · · Score: 1

      Your comments frighten me more than the guy being arrested. You don't want to be required to produce ID, but if someone you don't like gets arrested for failing to produce ID, you side with the cop? Do only nice, polite people deserve rights? Is being stupid a crime?

      See.. there's this idea that the law is their to protect people. Being a jerk, rude, and arguing might not win you any friends, but it shouldn't get you arrested.

      --
      AccountKiller
    11. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is America....you should be able to be as drunk and obnoxious as you want.

    12. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by HeghmoH · · Score: 1

      Ho

      ly

      FUCK.

      Are you serious?

      Being a jackass, even to a police officer, is not and never should be a crime. As much I would enjoy seeing certain people I've run across get fined or put away for being such jerks or idiots, being jailed or fined for mouthing off is a defining characteristic of a non-free police state.

      It doesn't how stupid, uncooperative, or non-physically abusive this guy was being, and it doesn't weaken his position at all.

      --
      Mod down posts with a "Free Mac Mini/iPod" sig, they're spam!
    13. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by corbettw · · Score: 1

      Is being stupid a crime?

      Yep, and it's usually a capital offense. Haven't you heard of the Darwin Awards?

      --
      God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
    14. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by ThomK · · Score: 1

      Wife beater? Someone has been watching too many episodes of COPS.

      --

      TK

    15. Re:This was on Kuro5hin by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > He wasn't driving - his daughter was.

      But he was in public, so P.I. Try having a point before posting again.

  38. Perhaps he was an MBA? by twoslice · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    A little OT but very funny...

    Three MBAs and three engineers are traveling by train to a conference. At the station, the three MBAs each buy tickets and watch as the three engineers buy only a single ticket.

    "How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks a MBA.

    "Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer.

    They all board the train. The MBAs take their respective seats but all three engineers cram into a restroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket, please."

    The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on.

    The MBAs saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the conference, the MBAs decide to copy the engineers on the return trip and save some money (recognizing the engineers' superior intellect). When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the engineers don't buy a ticket at all.

    "How are you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed MBA.

    "Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer.

    When they board the train the three MBAs cram into a restroom and the three engineers cram into another one nearby. The train departs. Shortly afterward, one of the engineers leaves his restroom and walks over to the restroom where the MBAs are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, "Ticket, please."

    --

    From excellent karma to terible karma with a single +5 funny post...
  39. I think I'm required to here in California anyway. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Specifically, the contract on being granted my Drivers License (or CA ID) is that I submit it upon demand by a "peace officer".

    Now, that's completely different from being required to carry it at all (Save, of course, while driving). But if I DO have it, I believe I'm required to surrender it.

    I don't know what restrictions surround something like a Passport.

  40. I was arrested for this offense in Texas by jpnews · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Long story short: Last year a newbie Sheriff's deputy arrested me for "failure to I.D." I was walking back from the store early in the morning, and a cop who I'd already had an incident with demanded my I.D. I'm fairly well-versed in Texas law on the matter, and I knew I was right.

    Anyway, I plead not guilty and the deputy didn't show up at trial. I'm currently in the process of having the arrest record expunged.

    The bottom line on this is: Constitutionally, every search or siezure must be reasonable, which the courts have decided means that reasonable suspicion must exist. If you're just walking down the street (like I was), and you don't match the description of a person wanted for a crime, and you're not committing a crime, there's no reason you should be compelled to identify yourself. Period.

    1. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by nocomment · · Score: 1

      but the thing is, there was a crime that was commited. There was a report of a fight started by someone on the side of the road with a truck. The officer stated "I'm investigating a fight, and I just need to know who you are". The idiot cowboy kept going back to "i'm not illegally parked am i?" and refusing to provide ID. The officer was in the right here. I think it would be a worse precident to set that someone can just refuse to show id and then the cop has to leave them alone.

      --
      /* oops I accidentally made a comment, sorry */
      /* http://allyourbasearebelongto.us */
    2. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 4, Funny

      Walking is a very suspicious activity. The only people who walk are (1) criminals or (2) people who are too poor to buy a car and so are probably also criminal.

      --
      Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
    3. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by Dirtside · · Score: 1

      One problem with this situation is that the cop didn't even ask the guy his name. He didn't ask them if they'd been fighting, he didn't look at Mimi to see if she looked like she'd been struck. He just demanded ID. Hiibel said he didn't have ID, and the cop kept asking for it. He never once asked Hiibel his name.

      --
      "Destroy science and religion. Science would re-emerge exactly the same; but not religion." - Penn Jillette, paraphrased
    4. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by Dhalka226 · · Score: 1

      The situations are not the same. If your story goes as described, you were walking down the street and were stopped. There was no reasonable suspicion.

      However, in the story, the officer was called by a bystander who saw a fight. The officer was motioned over to the man and his wife(?) as the people who were fighting. That creates the reasonable suspicion to ask for identification. He wasn't picked randomly off the street.

      I'm sensitive about civil rights, but I think this one is a non-issue. I'd be much more concerned about other post-9/11 infringements of privacy such as the Patriot Act.

    5. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by jpnews · · Score: 1

      You know, I agree with you. I've been on top of this case since the night I was released from Harris County Jail. I have a feeling Hiibel's going to lose this case.

      But what I'm worried about is the way prosecutors and other courts are going to interpret and use the decision. If the issues were so clear, as you and many others seem to see it, why did the SC take up the case in the first place? There can be only two reasons- either to reaffirm the rights and responsibilities laid out in Miranda, Brown, Kolender, etc. - or to create a new and expanded meaning of "reasonable suspicion."

      Our civil rights are not taken away in one bold stroke. Rather, they are chipped away into dust by the constant hammering of the SC's gavel.

    6. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by miu · · Score: 1
      Our civil rights are not taken away in one bold stroke. Rather, they are chipped away into dust by the constant hammering of the SC's gavel.

      So are these activist judges using their powers for good or for awesome?

      --

      [Set Cain on fire and steal his lute.]
    7. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Actually, "reasonable suspicion" is the only way they get to stop you at all.

      From there they try to get to "probable cause" which gets you arrested.

      Fortunately, in a free country we are not required to assist in the process; and we have the right "to be left alone."

      It's real simple. If you aren't interested in talking to the cop he can either arrest you or let you walk away.

      That's as it should be.

    8. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by Dhalka226 · · Score: 1

      People chipping away at civil liberties is always a concern and something we should be vigilant of.

      I do wonder though: If you agree with me (that the police had reasonable suspicion), why the concern over the Supreme Court creating a new and expanded meaning? It seems they will either affirm the meaning under which he was arrested or reverse themselves and find in favor of expanded privacy.

      The Supreme Court has made a number of decisions I don't agree with one way or another, but I think they do a fair job of balancing justice and privacy. I'm more concerned with Bush and Ashcroft legislating away our privacy, personally.

    9. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by nocomment · · Score: 1
      What difference does that make? How many people in jail right now gave a cop a fake name when they were busted? The cowboy just needed to take a chill pill, listen to what the officer was saying. He kept saying "I'm cooperating I'm cooperating", but he wasn't even listening. He was making a big deal out of his parking job. The man fit the description of the man they were looking for. It's like the guy didn't understand english. "Am I parked illegally?" NO! for the hundreth time, I'm investigating an assault and I need to know who you are! The cop used those exact words. "I jsut need to know who you are" the cowboy could have said then "my name is such and such" but chose instead to stick his hands out and say arrest me. Are you saying the rules should be this
      • Office asks name
      • Officer asks if they did anything wrong

      If the suspect gives name and says they didn't do anything, the officer should just move along?
      --
      /* oops I accidentally made a comment, sorry */
      /* http://allyourbasearebelongto.us */
    10. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by tftp · · Score: 1
      (Score:5, Funny)

      I bet those moderators are not from California :-) The parent post is "+1 Insightful" in CA.

    11. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by sineltor · · Score: 1

      Shoes should be illegal as well.

      95% of criminals wear shoes... it only follows from the DMCA that we should ban them

      --
      'No publisher will ever pay you enough to successfully sue them' - Dave Sim
    12. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      The guy asked why the cop was asking him for ID. The officer -- and this is the point that everyone's crabby about -- refused to tell him why. It could have been "suspicion of assault" or any number of things. The cop wouldn't tell him, so the guy started guessing ("Is it because I'm parked illegally?")

      The point is that if a cop comes up, and demands ID, and refuses to give you any justification for needing that ID, he is in the wrong. Requiring officers to do this is the only way that we can allow a system of checks and balances (for example, if an officer demands ID or arrests someone for, say, suspicion possession of drugs, and the suspect can later demonstrate that the officer could not have had probable cause, then the officer is legally in the wrong. The idea is that officers need to be held to some degree of accountability, given their position of power.

      Frankly, whacking or spanking your kid is falling out of favor, but it's decidedly legal and definitely practiced by many parents. If an officer wants to arrest someone for suspicion of assault or domestic abuse or something, fine. They need to tell that person why they are doing so.

    13. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by Dirtside · · Score: 1
      If the suspect gives name and says they didn't do anything, the officer should just move along?
      If the suspect gives his name and says he doesn't do anything, and the officer actually bothers to look around and see whether there's any evidence of a crime (because we all know that nobody would ever fake an anonymous tip just to cause trouble!), AND FINDS NONE, then yes, he should just move along. The sheriff in question didn't look for evidence, didn't see whether any crime had been committed. The very first thing he did was ask for ID, and when the guy said no (not that he could have given him ID, he didn't have any), the officer didn't bother to investigate the scene, he just arrested the guy.

      An anonymous tip doesn't by itself give an officer probable cause to start searching people, arresting them, demanding papers, etc. There needs to be some actual evidence that a crime was or is being committed.

      --
      "Destroy science and religion. Science would re-emerge exactly the same; but not religion." - Penn Jillette, paraphrased
    14. Re:I was arrested for this offense in Texas by nocomment · · Score: 1

      Did you watch the video? The guys daughter told the cops they had gotten into an argument (the one named mimi at the end). They had their guy, this was not mistaken identity. I counted 3 times in the transcript where the cop said "I'm doing an investigation" and "I'm jsut trying to see what we've got here". If his daughter was being spanked for being bad, so be it. But if it was bad enough for some bystander to call the police, then maybe the police should not have just left so easily. Maybe from a distance it looked worse than it was, who knows, I didn't see it.

      --
      /* oops I accidentally made a comment, sorry */
      /* http://allyourbasearebelongto.us */
  41. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    of course that's the only sensible thing to do. why stop at showing your license? may as well allow them to go ahead and search you. they are just doing their job, right? might as well make it a good search while you're at it... bend over and cough please. and why stop there? you wouldn't mind peeing in this cup, would you? might as well hand over your laptop to make sure every thing on the hard drive is in order there is well...

  42. Please board the train for relocation by Gothmolly · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And when masses of people were herded onto trains for 'relocation', or into ghettos, because the State told them to do so, they were just obeying too. You don't see whats so horrible about it because you've been brought up in a State where this level of massification is accepted. I'm not trolling either, its just something thats very important to a people who (until recently) did not expect this sort of behavior from their police.

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    1. Re:Please board the train for relocation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, because calmly and politely asking to see somebody's ID is just like the Jewish Holocaust.

      *snort*

      Moron.

  43. Interesting questioni by foidulus · · Score: 1

    Though it's an interesting point, the fact that he was in his car on the side of the road. The only way you can get into a car on the side of the road is if you drove that car(most likely), so in order to drive the car you must have a license. The cop is morally responsible to make sure that someone who doesn't have a license(a repeat drunk drive for example) isn't on the road, so maybe the question is what powers do the police have to police the road to make sure everyone is safe versus the right for people to maintain their privacy? I wish there was an easy answer to that, on one hand you don't want a police state, but on the other hand, you don't want 15 year olds cruising down the road in their mom's station wagon.
    I'd like to hear what other people think on this topic.

    1. Re:Interesting questioni by crazy+al's · · Score: 1

      He was standing beside the passenger door, outside of the truck, talking through the window to his daughter. He was NOT in the truck.

      --
      Crazy Al's House of Intertubes - where we make up in volume what we lose per bit...
    2. Re:Interesting questioni by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mr. Hiibel was not driving a car. He was not even in a car. His daughter was driving his pickup truck. When the cop pulled up (as you can see in the video, which was taken by the cop car), Mr. Hiibel was standing outside the passenger door, talking through the window to his daughter, who was in the driver's seat.

      But let me not confuse you with the facts...

    3. Re:Interesting questioni by foidulus · · Score: 1

      You got me, comment withdrawn...next time I'll think before posting.

    4. Re:Interesting questioni by TheLinuxSRC · · Score: 1

      Go to the site and RTFA. He was not driving. His daughter was. He was not even in the vehicle. He was leaning in the window talking to his daughter. The vehicle was fully off the road and thus legally parked. Hell, the cops never even asked the guy his name. They simply asked for ID and when he did not produce it, they arrested him.

  44. I write a weekly newspaper column by prisoner · · Score: 4, Informative

    and I talk about this subject with some frequency. Judging from the feedback I get, most people just don't get it or don't care. Most believe that if you have nothing to hide, it shouldn't be a problem. I've been searching for a more elegant way to rebut this other than saying its just dead wrong but have yet to come up with it.

    People equate the "papers please" line to movies about Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia but I think we are closer than most of us would admit.

    btw, if you've got a good way to rebut this that doesn't include fuck or asshole, I'm all ears biatches...:)

    1. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      From a previous slashdot poster... can't give you a link, but I used to use it in a sig...

      The "if you're innocent, you have nothing to hide" argument is a strawman I tire of. It's not about hiding. When I'm in the bathroom, I am not hiding. That doesn't mean I want everyone looking.
      --Tom


      --AC

    2. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by LoveMuscle · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If you have nothing to hide, then you won't mind this body cavity search either right?

      -or to take a step back-

      If you have nathing to hide, you won't mind if we put cameras in the bathrooms right?

      With the state of legislation these days EVERYONE has SOMETHING to hide. Most laws are written by folks who think "their way is best", and through force of law feel the need to cram it down the throats of the rest of us.

      There are many laws that I think MOST of us can agree on: murder, rape, etc...

      There are far more laws that MOST of us don't agree on: prohibition of drugs, abortion, j-walking, etc...

      The first defence we have against the "stupid" laws is some level of privacy, protected by NOT having to submit to this kind of intrusion..

    3. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by msgmonkey · · Score: 1

      Well in general anything to do with privacy, I always use the bath example i.e. I've got nothing to hide having a bath, but that does n't mean I want others to see me having one.

    4. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Brandybuck · · Score: 1

      I think we are closer than most of us would admit.

      I know we're damned close. The Bush administration starts curtailing our rights after 9/11 and what does the other side do? Bitch that he didn't do it fast or forcefully enough! Is there any Democrat candidate who advocates eliminating the Department of Homeland Security? Eliminating the illegal search and seizures of toenail clippers at national airports?

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    5. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Blnky · · Score: 1

      I rebut it with the following: If I have not committed a crime, why do I not deserve the right of privacy?

      On what grounds must that right be taken from me if I have not been convicted of a crime? If I have not commited a crime may I also be denied the rights of voting, assembling in a peaceful manner, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press? For lack of any violation of the law, thus I have nothing to hide, shall I loose my right to privacy as well as my other equal rights?

      Through those statements, I find they place the matter in the proper light. I have the freedom to read and another had the freedom to publish. Because of this, I have read the constitution. Under it I know am innocent until proven guilty. Listening to the ones whom would choose to punish the innocent, I am reminded to repeat those words spoken by those who framed the Constitution.
      "Don't Tread On Me"

    6. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by HardCase · · Score: 1
      So let me get this straight: you write about police officers who arrest a "person of interest" in a domestic violence case because said person won't produce any identification to help them determine whether or not they were a party to the case. Is your position, then, that if an individual that the police feel may be connected to such a case refuses to produce any ID that said individual should just be set loose without any ado? That's what happened in this case.


      Or is it your position that if an officer walks up to you out of the blue, without any particular reason or suspicion and demands your ID that you should be able to refuse? Now THAT I'd buy. But I have to say that if said officer came up to me and asked for my ID, I'd probably hand it over. I have better things to do with my time than fight over whether or not I have the right to refuse.


      -h-

    7. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by circusnews · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Sometimes its a matter of asking the right question. Try asking you readers this:

      Assume you live in the typical suburban neighborhood. Now assume your 10 year old son and 2 of his 10 year old friends went on a ride to the local park to play on the swings on Sunday afternoon.

      Would be OK for a cop to arrest these 12 year old for not producing an ID?

      Why not?

      Now, why it is OK for a cop to do this to an adult?

    8. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by oolon · · Score: 1

      The officer was asked why, "Investigating an Investigation" is not probably cause. I am investigating a domestic violence report and you and the female in the car fit the description does.

      James

    9. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Rebut means contradict. You just repeated the exact same thing he wrote, but with more confusing and akward prose.

    10. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I always tell people who don't have ID that its a bad idea... all it takes is a drunk driver to run up on the sidewalk etc and you are a John/Jane Doe in the hospital (or freezer) and we can't notify your family. People have died because of this - if we could have located a family member with the correct blood type or medical information (alergies, history, etc) in time they would have lived.

    11. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In my lifetime, I have been questioned by the police at least 9 times. Once I was pulled over, produced ID, and asked by the cop if I was a Satanist (why this had any bearing on the situation was a mystery). Another time I pulled into a parking garage to rumage in my trunk (I was traveling cross-country and it was raining outside. The garage was sheltered). Seven police cars show up, and the discussion that insued boiled down to me giving the officers full permission to search my vehicle or thay were going to completely disassemble my car.

      And other such events. When people say you should just cooperate with the police, they have obviously never had an experience with a beligerent cop. These events aren't isolated. There is no good reason to have a plunger shoved up your rectum while under police custody. I think that is good reason to at least be appprehensive.

      I have also overheard discussion among police officers (I've worked as a midnight clerk) where they have stated they keep guns in their trunks to place by people they shoot. Or failing to respond to a distress call from a female officer because "she wouldn't put out". Read any of the ACLU complaints against the police. These are the types of people protecting you.

      I choose not to carry ID because that gives anyone full access to where I live and who I am. Any place I conduct business knows me personally. I am never asked for ID by them. A la Fight Club, friends of mine have been mugged only to have their houses robbed a short time afterwards.

    12. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Riktov · · Score: 4, Funny

      Assume you live in the typical suburban neighborhood. Now assume your 10 year old son and 2 of his 10 year old friends went on a ride to the local park to play on the swings on Sunday afternoon.

      Would be OK for a cop to arrest these 12 year old for not producing an ID?

      It's certainly not a crime, but I think that any child that ages from 10 to 12 years old within the span of one Sunday afternoon would arouse some suspicion!

    13. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's not about having something to hide. It's about denying information to someone you do not trust.

      Why should you trust a police officer? Have you ever asked a police officer for his ID? It's not like the authorities have a spotless record.

      These laws were created to prevent the government from becoming too powerful, because what do you do when a powerful governemnt becomes a tyranny?

      Don't tell me it's not possible for a evil or lying type of president to get elected. Keep in mind too the prez appoints powerful people to powerful positions.

      The way I look at it is (from my perspective), if I have not done anything wrong then you must be asking for my ID to frame me for something. Simple as that. Sorry.

      The founding fathers didnt include the right to privacy in the bill of rights for fun. Of course like any other rational person they wanted law and order too. BUT, they clearly felt it was important to keep our God Given unalienable rights. In fact the whole bill of rights is all about limiting the power of govt. They obviously felt this was absolutely critical and vital.

    14. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by MourningBlade · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I think I have a moderately good defense of privacy: the foundation of our criminal code is based on external acts, that is acts against another person or entity. The proof for an external act would then be public material, or material provided ("made public") by the harmed party. Therefore, privacy is a restriction on the encroachment of law: if you can't be shown to be doing it, you can't be convicted of it. Thus privacy is a good thing can be derived from the idea that "if you didn't harm another, it's not a crime"

      Another way to say all this is: If you didn't hurt anyone, you didn't commit a crime. If you did commit a crime, the person hurt (or a person witnessing or affected) would come forward with evidence: you don't have to prove you didn't do it. Privacy is your right to an accuser.

      Many of the problems we've had in recent years with the law have been 1) "victimless crimes" or "societying-wronging" (drugs are the classic example), and 2) where the state is the accuser.

      Both of these are in part because there is no concrete person wronged, so it's difficult to defend yourself. Even worse is when the state is the accuser, because the state is An Authority: what they say is true. Very hard to prove otherwise, and the individual clerks process so much information each day that things are just assumed to be true because they're written: no one remembers writing them.

      These fears are often dismissed as being kafka-esque, but anyone who has ever delt with a large corporation that has a "it's written so it must be true" problem can understand what the problem is. Now imagine where the result is not paying an extra $100, but having 5 years of your life taken away. High stakes. And beaurocracies don't get any better when they're played at those stakes.

      That's a basic defense of privacy. I'm still struggling with the "ihre papieren, bitte" (sic?).

    15. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by HardCase · · Score: 1
      I think that you'll find that the officer was not required to provide an explanation. She had probable cause to ask for his ID. He didn't cooperate. He got arrested.


      Now, I'll go along with anyone who says that the officer didn't handle things nearly as diplomatically as she could have. And I'll agree that she probably should have said what you suggested. In fact, if I was the supervisor that day, everybody would be standing in front of me getting a lesson in how to handle a situation like that better. But the police don't have to stop and give a suspect a detailed explanation of what their probable cause is. You can probably think up plenty of reasons why that is. Watch your average Saturday hour of COPS and you'll see why.


      I suppose that the next question is that if the police don't explain what the probable cause was, then how do we know that they had it? That's what a court is for. And if they didn't have probable cause, then the state loses. And people notice stuff like that...a local PD near my town had patterns of flimsy or no PC several years ago. A significant number of officers were fired, many were reprimanded, the city lost a lawsuit and paid out a lot of money.


      -h-

    16. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Pseudonym · · Score: 1

      Bruce Schneier made the point that if you have nothing to hide, logically you should send all of your correspondence on postcards rather than using envelopes. After all, it's much cheaper.

      --
      sub f{($f)=@_;print"$f(q{$f});";}f(q{sub f{($f)=@_;print"$f(q{$f});";}f});
    17. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by /dev/trash · · Score: 1

      He wasn't just hanging out minding his own business, like he claims. The cop was investigating a crime, a crime that involved a vehicle and person that matched what he observed along the highway.

    18. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by WildFire42 · · Score: 1

      If you have nathing[sic] to hide, you won't mind if we put cameras in the bathrooms right?

      Hey, buddy, I don't know about you, but I have a hard time hiding it.

    19. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by /dev/trash · · Score: 1

      Why not? The earliest a child can get a photo ID is 16. That's why.

    20. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by /dev/trash · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      He was on a public road, in a public place. Not in his bathroom.

      Try to keep it on topic.

    21. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by vleo · · Score: 1

      Speaking of "Communist Russia" - I'm a proud citizen of Free Country, namely Russian Federation. Hey, US comrades - have YOU changed the regime in your country from Police State to Weak Democratic State lately?

      But you MUST carry an ID in Russia. Now, 200 years ago, 100 years ago and 50 years ago for sure. If you don't - you can be detained for up to several hours for police to find out who you are. There is no way though you can be ARRESTED for that, or that you would get a record for forgeting or loosing your ID.

      But I can not imagine police searching my car for MJ. I can not imagine police getting interested if I had a fight with my mother, father, doughter, girlfriend. That is our private space - if someone is hurt and pissed off they can file a paper. And the paper can be withdrown before it gets to court. Gross situations are taken care of, but not domestic disputes. There is real crime to be taken care of.

      Prostitution is only an administrative offence, like speeding. And it does not get on your records (same as speeding, BTW). Of course Europe sets a positive example for that, I just can't believe you can call a country "free", when state tells you with whom, how and on which conditions you are ALOWED to have sex, and when not. So - sex for money is illegal, but sex for ... getting permit to live in the US is legal. Go figure.

      To illustrate - once in Moscow I picked up a prostitute from a roadside. As we started to drive police car showed up and I had to stop. They asked HER for ID (get it!). She had one that was OK. Then what did they say to her? "Hey, baby, you are driving with this man you don't know, don't come crying to us if you get in trouble". She said - OK, and we left for a night of something more pleasant. Important point is that I did not feel any concern when I was pulled - I have not done anything illegal. They did not bother to check my papers, since they were police, not MV-inspection.

      On top of that - there are good laws, and there are bad laws. In Russia, you can always bribe your way out, this is another (better) line of defense against stupid laws. And if you remember OJ case - you can do it in the US as well, even for murder, provided ENOUGH money are pumped in. In Russia, being a free country, you need much much less for taking care of stupid laws.

      The sad news is that historic experience shows that countries oscillate from freedom to tyrany - it's just too bad US are on the swing to Police State right now.

      --
      Vassili Leonov ...it is the actions that affect us, not the motive...RMS
    22. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Imperator · · Score: 1
      It's certainly not a crime, but I think that any child that ages from 10 to 12 years old within the span of one Sunday afternoon would arouse some suspicion!

      Yeah, because sometime that week they'll be old enough to drink.

      --

      Gates' Law: Every 18 months, the speed of software halves.
    23. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, we should get rid of jaywalking laws. Because I love it when pedestrians run out in front of my car.

      --Greg

    24. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      There is no legal requirement for an adult to posess photo ID (though life may be more frusterating without it).

      Many people, such as blind people, cannot drive and do not have driver's licenses, the most common form of photo ID.

    25. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by cyt0plas · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      If they are that dumb, the law probably won't help. You can't legislate common sense.

      Besides, vehicular darwinism could have positive effects on society. I'm all for culling the weak (and yes, that includes me if I can't pass muster). I suspect I would survive, and would be willing to find out, provided everyone else played first. Remember, you don't have to be first. You just don't want to be last.

      --
      Contact Me (got tired of viruses emailing me).
    26. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Easy,

      The ciminals are gonna have false ID's anyway if they are in serious crime-business.

      The only ones you will catch thus, are the smalltime criminals and to achieve that you have to harass alot more honest ppl... wow

      Also, Hitler had very common and reasonable sounding remarks about why he did what he did. (read up on the propaganda just before WW-I and WW-II) The german ppl were also not fooled easily in what became WW-I and later WW-II. He played the crowd like a professional with reasonable idea's. When ppl finally caught on, it was too late and the Wars were a fact of life. The saddest fact is people didn't learn the first time and it looks like we didn't learn from the second time either.... sad :(

    27. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by The_Mr_Flibble · · Score: 1

      Around where I live it's the 12 year olds breaking into peoples house stealing cars and joyriding so in my experience it would be fine for a police officer to arrest the 12 year olds. (if they have id or not). It wouldn't make any difference if they did arrest the 12 year olds anyway they would be out in a matter of hours breaking into to someone elses house. Sunny England where the criminals appear to have all the rights.

    28. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by prisoner · · Score: 1

      In rereading (sp) my post, perhaps I should have been a bit more specific. I was referring to the second part of your post. I rarely write about a single incident, more often it is overarching themes like unreasonable search, privacy, etc.

      As to wether I would argue with an officer, I can and do ask why someone wants to see my ID if I've done nothing wrong. If I were to get pulled over going 75 in a 55, I'm handing it over. If I'm minding my own biz and doing the right things, yeah, I'm going to ask but not to the point that I'm going to get into a pissing contest with a cop. I find that if you seem reasonable, most times you'll be treated in a similar fashion.

    29. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I differ because it appears that you're saying "In the absence of people not harming each other, crime is omnipresent."

      I think privacy extends a bit farther than the law and exists in a realm beyond written law. Privacy is something to be expected, not defended.

    30. Re:I write a weekly newspaper column by MourningBlade · · Score: 1

      I differ because it appears that you're saying "In the absence of people not harming each other, crime is omnipresent."

      I'd hoped to make clear that without people harming each other, there is no crime (or no investigable crime. I'm more fond of the former)

      I think privacy extends a bit farther than the law and exists in a realm beyond written law. Privacy is something to be expected, not defended.

      I too believe that privacy is a natural state, and deviation from that should require justification. However, that does not make a very convincing argument for someone who does not value privacy, which is the goal of the previous post.

      In addition, it could be argued that if privacy is a normal, so is politeness. The reason you should comply with certain questions is because the policeman is being nice, and it causes no harm to you. The previous argument might stand as a brief sketching of an argument against that.

      One of the large problems we face in America is differing values, hence different assumptions, but as we all are under one system of justice, we have to have our assumptions interact somehow, which means rational arguments for things.

      To continue along your idea of "privacy is something to be expected, not defended," I would say that because we have different assumptions, we should leave off where it is not necessary, so as not to step on too many people's values.

      Unfortuantely, "because you're trampling on people's ideas of right and wrong so as to enforce your own and deny them the choice" is not a very convincing argument to most, and often leads to things like liquor store hour laws and stifling regulation, as people will say "it's available to you, what more do you want?"

  45. Re:don't do the crime by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes. Only a Jew or a Negro should be concerned with oppression and authority overstepping its boundaries. A white guy shouldn't worry, because he has nothing to worry about, because the police are his friends right?

  46. What's wrong with asking for ID? by Zerbey · · Score: 1, Interesting

    OK, I have not read the article so can't comment on this case (the site's /.'d :(). Why do so many people get worked up when a cop asks for you id?

    Case in point, which has been getting a lot of coverage in FL recently. A man was shot and killed by police because they thought he was a fugitive, it turns out he wasn't the man they where after - he was a law abiding citizen. Reason he was shot: he ran from the police when they tried to pull him over, when they finally caught up to him he reached for something in his pocket that the office thought was a gun (turned out it wasn'). I'm sorry the guy's dead, but if he'd just stopped and showed his ID he'd have been sent on his way and two families lives wouldn't be ruined.

    Yes, it's an extreme example I know but you see my point. Just show your id, if you've nothing to hide why worry?

    1. Re:What's wrong with asking for ID? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yes, it's an extreme example I know but you see my point. Just show your id, if you've nothing to hide why worry?

      Because I'm a free citizen of a free country. If Joe Blow walks up to me on the street and asks for my ID, I'll tell him to pound sand. If Joe Withabadge walks up and asks the same, I'll answer the same, unless he's got a good reason to ask for it.

      It's not a matter of getting worked up about it; in fact getting worked up about it is dumb.

      What do I have to hide? Nothing that is illegal, and everything that is my own business and nobody else's. Why? because the most precious right of all is the right to be left alone.

    2. Re:What's wrong with asking for ID? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A man was shot and killed by police because they thought he was a fugitive

      No, he was shot and killed because he was a dumbshit and decided to run from the cops and even more of a dumbshit cause he reached for *ANYTHING* when the cops caught up to him

    3. Re:What's wrong with asking for ID? by mindstrm · · Score: 1

      Because the police are not our caretakes and rulers, and we are not required to show them ID just because they ask.

      IT's for the same reason I am not required to show YOU id if you walk up to me and ask for it.

      If you have nothing to hide, you have to worry about protecting the rights of EVERYONE in your country.

      I'm not saying the police should always be given a hard time.. indeed, cooperation is good. But you see, they don't return the favor.. they could have let this farmer go on his way, after determining he wasn't beating the shit out of his daughter, end of story. Instead, though, of simply keeping a watchful eye on the locals, two people were arrested, abused, and detained illegally.

  47. You wish by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ever been to Lakewood, WA?

    Not an innocent babe in the city.

  48. Re:don't do the crime by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    That is funny...

    Well, I'm not a criminal, but I'm concerned about this issue. I don't have the time if a cop decides I need to stop and display ID at his whim. I have things to do, I'm not committing any crimes, don't waste my time with your insecurities and need to push your authority on someone (which in most cases is what it's really about).

  49. Re:Republicans 5-4 by boobsea · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    It was many of your "Democrats" in the Supreme Court who recently found the anti-free speech parts of the campaign finance laws to be perfectly constitutional

  50. Re:What is there to hide? by pnatural · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Forgive me for generalizing, but most police that I've met or known personally have a common personality trait. Namely, they love their own authority, and they love to wield it. Anything you do that questions their authority provokes a canned response: time to harass you, arrest you, or otherwise ensure you know they're the one with the power.

    This is just an observation; you may find it true or not. It might even help you to understand the motivation behind what they do, and if it does help you, you're one up on them.

    Again, I apologize for the generalization. I'm sure it's not true for all police, but it's true for all the police with whom I've interacted.

  51. While it's bad, it's not as bad as implied by strech · · Score: 5, Informative

    The site goes on about the cop saying he was "investigating an investigation" and implies the cop gave no reason for it or anything.

    Which is overstating.

    The cop never said he was "investigating an investigation" from watching the video. He did, however, say to the man as soon as he got there something along the lines "I'm investigating reports of a fight between you two" indicating the man and the woman in the car.

    And the person asked for ID was fairly belligerent. He kept on asking the officer to arrest him.

    The charge isn't specifically a law that makes it illegal to present ID, I think (though I'm not sure), it's a charge of obstructing a peace officer. Which may be from aforesaid law, but I didn't see that when I looked before.

    1. Re:While it's bad, it's not as bad as implied by Effugas · · Score: 1, Insightful

      No, the officer actually said he was "investigating an investigation." You can see it and read it here.

      ==
      D: Because I'm investigating an investigation
      ==

      It's interesting how your memory rewrote what you watched.

      --Dan

    2. Re:While it's bad, it's not as bad as implied by strech · · Score: 1

      It's interesting how your memory rewrote what you watched.


      Thanks for pointing to the transcript.

      A couple of people (here or at kuro5hin) commented that the transcript may have been inaccurate. I seem to remember him saying "I'm conducting an investigation" at that point.

      I'd check myself, but the videos aren't up for what should be obvious reasons (go slashdot!).
    3. Re:While it's bad, it's not as bad as implied by corbettw · · Score: 1

      I just finished downloading and watching the video. The very first thing out of the cop's mouth is "Well, I've got a report that there's been a fightin' going on between you two tonight."

      When the cop asks for ID, the guy says "Why?" The cop's response is "The thing of it is, we're conducting an investigation, ok, so I need to see some identification." I'm not sure where the "investigating an investigation" comes from, but that's not what was said.

      At this point, the cop has:

      1) Said why he's pulled up to talk to the guy.
      2) Has politely requested to see his ID several times.
      3) Has politely explained why he needs to see the ID.

      Nothing about this smacks of Nazi Germany, or Soviet Russia. It's just a random cop, doing his job, and trying to be a professional. The cowboy here, though, well, he starts acting like a cowboy. He gets beligerant, he even starts insisting the cop go ahead and arrest him. Which the cop refuses to do, until the cowboy continually insists he won't show his ID. He keeps going on about how he's parked legally, which the cop never refutes, but that's not why he needs to see some ID. There was a report of a fight, and the cop needs to know who he's talking to so he can do his job.

      As for the girl, she deserved to have her ass thrown on the deck. What kind of idiot forces their way out of a truck, screaming bloody murder at a bunch of cops? What are they supposed to think when she's acting so unreasonable?

      Also, Hiibel claims his daughter was driving. Then why was she on the passenger side of the truck? Assuming she had slid over to the passenger side prior to the arrival of the cops, why didn't she slide back over to the driver's side to exit the vehicle? I'm thinking her passage was probably impeded, and that the father was the actual driver (also witness how insistent he was that he had parked the truck legally). This guy's whole story smells of utter bullshit.

      I've got $5 that says the Supreme Court bounces this guy out on his ear.

      --
      God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
    4. Re:While it's bad, it's not as bad as implied by strech · · Score: 1

      Okay, I found the bittorrent link and watched the video again.

      He definately said "Because I'm conducting an investigation" in the part of the video transcribed there. Even the subtitles say that.

      The transcript provided is wrong.

    5. Re:While it's bad, it's not as bad as implied by incom · · Score: 1

      Your paraphrasing just as he is! When complaining that someone isn't using the exact quote, you damn well better provide the exact quote instead of saying "something along the lines"... . The hyprocracy of your post is almost poetic.

      --
      True genius is grasping a situation like a peice of fruit, and peircing it just right so that it drains dry.
    6. Re:While it's bad, it's not as bad as implied by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're a fucking idiot.

  52. This sounds like a good way by nija · · Score: 2, Informative

    to Flex Your Rights as an American. Know what to do in a situation such as this. Remeber there are checks and balances and they work both ways. I think this precendent (being set by the policeman) is a bad one, and it could run us down a very slippery slope.

  53. thank you John Asscroft! by segment · · Score: 5, Informative
    Don't feel bad there's not much you as an individual can do unless you have a boatload of money to throw around...

    In 1952, the McCarran-Walter Immigration Act mandated 3 million non-citizens to carry ID cards and threatened 11 million naturalized citizens with deportation if they were charged with being communists. A bus drivers' union official was grabbed from the bargaining table where he was successfully negotiating a wage increase and shorter hours and held at Ellis Island, New York for deportation to Canada. Harry Bridges, for decades the leader of the San Francisco Longshoremen, was harassed with repeated deportation efforts. source

    Don't worry though the USA PATRIOT ACT's will take care of all your problems.

    1. Re:thank you John Asscroft! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Lovely. Clinton did it too! Is that the right wing's answer for everything Bush does wrong?

    2. Re:thank you John Asscroft! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes.

      Its actually quite creepy.

    3. Re:thank you John Asscroft! by spood · · Score: 2, Funny

      Don't worry though the USA PATRIOT ACT's will take care of all your problems.

      Yes, it's much nicer in Cuba than Canada this time of year.

      --
      ---- Just another spud server.
  54. Take 3 seconds next time... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  55. Duh! by El · · Score: 4, Informative

    Mimi Hiibel was hauled-off to juvenile detention and charged with resisting arrest. In court, her father asked the judge a simple question: what charge was Mimi arrested for resisting? The case was dismissed. This is true; at least in California, you cannot be arrested for the sole charge of "resisting arrest". The amazing thing is that they actually had to have a court case to set a precedent to establish this as part of California state law! By the way, you are also legally allowed to resist arrest if you beleive the officer intends to harm you in an unlawful manner -- but just try arguing THAT one in court!

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

    1. Re:Duh! by betelgeuse-4 · · Score: 1

      "you are also legally allowed to resist arrest if you beleive the officer intends to harm you in an unlawful manner -- but just try arguing THAT one in court!"

      If the cop knew you and as a result of a previous event had a grudge against you (and you could prove it), you might win using that line of argument.

    2. Re:Duh! by kramer · · Score: 4, Informative

      By the way, you are also legally allowed to resist arrest if you beleive the officer intends to harm you in an unlawful manner -- but just try arguing THAT one in court!

      DISCLAIMER: Not a lawyer, just a law student

      No.

      Follow that rule, and you may well end your ass up in jail. The rule in most jurisdictions is that you do not have a right to resist arrest unless one "reasonably believes that such force is immediately necessary to protect against an arresting officer's use of unlawful and deadly force"

      Essentially, you cannot resist arrest unless you're in fear of your life or grevious bodily injury -- EVEN if the arrest or use of force is unlawful. The way to deal with unlawful use of force is a civil action later. It is not up to the man on the street to decide whether an arrest is legal or illegal -- that is a matter for a judge and jury.

      Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v Biagini (655 A.2d 492) is a good example (and coincidentally where I stole the above quote from). Man is arrested without sufficient cause. During the arrest he assaults an officer. Man is found not guilty of original crime, but does time on the resisting arrest charge.

      I don't think I can state it clearly enough -- you do not have a right to resist arrest except when in immediate fear of death / near death.

    3. Re:Duh! by freeze128 · · Score: 1

      Yeah, They will just harm you in a LEGAL manner.

    4. Re:Duh! by Zak3056 · · Score: 1
      By the way, you are also legally allowed to resist arrest if you beleive the officer intends to harm you in an unlawful manner -- but just try arguing THAT one in court!

      In Tennessee, it's legal to shoot a police officer if they are attempting to use unlawful force upon you.

      TN Code 39-11-611(e) states:

      (e) The threat or use of force against another is not justified to resist a halt at a roadblock, arrest, search, or stop and frisk that the person knows is being made by a law enforcement officer, unless:

      (1) The law enforcement officer uses or attempts to use greater force than necessary to make the arrest, search, stop and frisk, or halt; and

      (2) The person reasonably believes that the force is immediately necessary to protect against the law enforcement officer's use or attempted use of greater force than necessary.


      This is of course (as you noted) something you will NEVER successfully argue in court (the circumstances would have to be pretty extreme, and even then...) but the law is indeed on the books.

      --
      What part of "shall not be infringed" is so hard to understand?
    5. Re:Duh! by 44BSD · · Score: 1

      I don't think you can state it clearly enough either.

      What part of the QUOTED STATUTE do you take issue with? It's black letter law.

      Now, it may not read that way where you live, and case law might be different where I live, but where the poster is, it sure looks pretty clear to me.

    6. Re:Duh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mistake the fact that most states (all but 11 I believe) fail to *recognize* my right to resist unlawful arrest, with the notion that I do not *in fact* have have that right. When will people remember that the government (majority, etc.) does NOT GRANT RIGHTS! It merely recognizes and protects them. Therefore I DO have the right, and the government is wronging me to punish me for resisting false arrest. How can anyone respect a state with such laws?

    7. Re:Duh! by incom · · Score: 1

      What about if you knew the police officer previously and he threatened to kill you, or "get" you some day, and there is also no cause for his coming to arrest you?

      --
      True genius is grasping a situation like a peice of fruit, and peircing it just right so that it drains dry.
    8. Re:Duh! by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      Follow that rule, and you may well end your ass up in jail. The rule in most jurisdictions is that you do not have a right to resist arrest unless one "reasonably believes that such force is immediately necessary to protect against an arresting officer's use of unlawful and deadly force"

      I'm curious -- is there a specific set of exemptions for police officers? I read the a first-year-law textbook on this, and it seemed that in most situations, the standard use-of-force rules apply.

      The way *I* understood things, if (admittedly hypothetical situation) you are an electrician working on a system where another person will die unless you rapidly perform a task (say, something is about to overload and destroy a transformer that a bunch of unaware kids are sitting on), and police attempt to arrest you, and you're sure that you can't convince them that you need to finish what you're working on in the thirty seconds or whatever you have remaining, you are entitled to use nondeadly force to resist arrest (Macing the officer, for instance) to resume work. If you get charged with assult or similar, you have a necessity justification -- the potential consquences of not using force are legally worse than the consequences of using force, the consequences were immediate and otherwise unavoidable, and you are not resorting to deadly force).

      Note that this probably changes slightly from state to state -- some locales, like NYC, are extremely tough on use of force, and some places, like Texas, are extremely lax on use of force.

    9. Re:Duh! by kramer · · Score: 1

      I think you've got a logical problem with your argument. The determination of whether an arrest is legal or illegal is not your determination to make. It is a matter for the courts. Even assuming an implicit right to resist unlawful arrest, without the ability to determine for yourself whether an arrest is lawful, that right is moot.

      As for how I can respect the states with such law, it's simple. You are left with a perfectly valid remedy for false arrest or unnecessary force -- you sue them. You rely on the court to make the determination of whether an arrest is unlawful and compensate you appropriately.

      The other choice is for the biased individual under arrest to make a split-second decision on laws and precident he cannot possibly consider the full ramifications of in the time allowed. Upon making that determination his resistance is very likely to escalate any incident since the officer making the arrest has likely come to his own biased conculsion as to the legality of the arrest -- and may well consider the resistance as a threat to his wellbeing. I think I like the 'shut up and let a judge decide' idea better.

    10. Re:Duh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well first of all, that wouldn't be a logical problem. It would be disagreeing with a premise of the argument, not disagreeing with the form.

      Second, there are many arrests made every day in which everyone involved knows they are completely unlawful. For arguments sake, we should talk solely about those. What you're telling me is, I have to let a police officer kidnap me just because he's a police officer. He has no lawful right to arrest me, and so it can't be an arrest. Suit is NOT a perfectly good remedy, anymore than it is a remedy for being kidnapped. I don't have to let a common criminal kidnap me, and wait until my day in court to protest, so why a police officer *acting outside the bounds of his authority*?

      Third, if the determination is a matter for the courts, then how come the police officer gets to make the decision? He is not the court, and lacks many of the tools of the court that make it impartial. But he gets to decide spur-of-the-moment whether it is lawful and I do not?

      Fourth, my entire argument is that it IS my determination to make as a matter of natural law, which is to say it is my right wether or not this government, or any government, recognizes it as such. No system of law can make it reasonable to expect me to submit to unlawful arrest, period.

  56. mod this parent up funny you clods (I'm off today) by osjedi · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I've got no points today. Someone else do it.

    --
    -=-=-=-=- osjedi uses Debian GNU/Linux. -=-=-=-=-
  57. Google cache link to summary of the case by whoever57 · · Score: 1

    Here is a link to a google cache of the summary.

    --
    The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
  58. Good thing you're not black by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Or it might have went like this:

    Cop: Hey boy, whats going on?
    Me: Nothi....
    Cop's begin beating you

    1. Re:Good thing you're not black by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      (Score:3, Funny)

      Yeah. Fucking hillarious.

      My sides ached after watching Shindler's List. Nothing gets me going like blind hatred.

  59. Not "investigating an investigation" by stubear · · Score: 4, Informative

    The officer clearly stated right away that he was investigating a call about a fight between Mr. Hiibel and the woman in the video. He asked to see his ID to get his name and to make sure this was the guy. How else was the officer supposed to gather information on the suspect? Last I checked, mind-reading was not a core class at the Police Academy.

    1. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "How else was the officer supposed to gather information on the suspect?"

      It's their job to identify you, not vice versa.
      If you truly suspect me of a crime, you need to start the process of investigation, and don't expect me to do it for you. I'm going to take that right to remain silent very seriously, and from the moment I'm not free to leave, you're going to know nothing about me except the name and phone number of my attorney. And you may be the one giving ME that name and phone number. Not a word. Not my name. Not my friends name. Not a word.

      Remember the whole presumption of innocence doctrine?

      If they don't have an idea who you are, they have no business accusing you of being the person they suspect.

      This will sound backwards and weird to you right up until the moment you are falsely accused of a crime or are mistakenly identified as a suspect, or are asked to produce documentation to PROVE YOU ARE NOT the suspect.

      I don't think you'd be happy living in a military dictatorship.

    2. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by Dirtside · · Score: 4, Informative
      How else was the officer supposed to gather information on the suspect?
      He could have asked. I watched the video. The officer did not ask Hiibel's name. He started out by asking for his ID. Hiibel didn't have any ID on him. If the person who made the call in the first place knew Hiibel's name, and told the police his name, then the first thing the sheriff should have done was asked "Are you Dudley Hiibel?" He could have asked Hiibel's daughter if Hiibel had hit her, if she was okay, etc. But he started out by assuming that a crime had occurred, based only on an anonymous tip. Rather then trying to determine if a crime had occurred (which would have given him cause to ask for ID), he jumped to the asking for ID part.
      --
      "Destroy science and religion. Science would re-emerge exactly the same; but not religion." - Penn Jillette, paraphrased
    3. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by Dhalka226 · · Score: 0, Troll

      Boy, this is one of the saddest posts I have ever seen.

      It's their job to identify you, not vice versa.

      It is your job to comply with the requests of the police officer. In most states, and evidently the one in question, it is an arrestable offense to refuse to give your name to a police officer. He refused and he was arrested.

      and from the moment I'm not free to leave, you're going to know nothing about me except the name and phone number of my attorney.

      No. From the moment you're not free to leave you're only going to give the name and phone number of your attorney. Once they arrest your ass for obstruction, they will search you and find the wallet with that ID you refused to hand over in the first place; you know, the one that could have saved you arrest had you truly not been the person they were looking for.

      Remember the whole presumption of innocence doctrine?

      You are presumed innocent. That does not mean you are presumed not to be the person they're looking for unless they can prove differently. The one link I can get to right now provides no information, but obviously the police officer had some sort of information on the man--maybe a description, maybe a license plate, maybe somebody pointed right at him and said "that's him." Fitting a description provides the officer with reasonable suspicion, and reasonable suspicion is justification enough to ask for the presentation of identification.

      If they don't have an idea who you are, they have no business accusing you of being the person they suspect.

      They had an idea of who he was. They walked right up to him. They simply asked for his ID to ensure he was who they thought to SAVE AN INCONVEINIENCE for the person in case they were wrong. What a crime. If he wasn't who they were looking for, they would have tipped their hat, apologized for wasting the man's time and been on their way. If he WAS who they were looking for, he would still be presumed innocent of the crimes he is accused of. He would likely be arrested and brought before a court to determine his guilt or innocence. Arrest does not mean guilt.

      I don't think you'd be happy living in a military dictatorship.

      What the hell kind of bullshit is that? Nowhere did the word "military" or "dictatorship" enter into anything. And you do realize that slippery slope crap is a logic error, right? Unless you have evidence that allowing one thing will allow the other, then you're just a fool spouting off without any sense of reality. Then again you did post as AC, so I shouldn't be surprised that you are.

    4. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by Percy_Blakeney · · Score: 1

      If I read the article correctly, the officer didn't know the names in the first place; he had simply heard a report of a couple fighting, no names attached. Thus, the point of verifying the identities doesn't hold.

    5. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      It is your job to comply with the requests of the police officer.

      Yes, because the US is a Police State. Right.

    6. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by RodgerDodger · · Score: 1

      Lots of ways. For example, he could have asked the woman.

      Failing that, given a reasonable suspicion that the person was the suspect (and that a crime had been committed), the cop could have arrested the guy on those grounds. Should the cop have ended up arresting the wrong person, there wouldn't be any grounds for false arrest because the victim could have identified himself and voided the reasonable suspicion that way.

      --
      "Software is too expensive to build cheaply"
    7. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by TheLinuxSRC · · Score: 1

      It is your job to comply with the requests of the police officer. In most states, and evidently the one in question, it is an arrestable offense to refuse to give your name to a police officer. He refused and he was arrested.

      He never was asked his name. He was never asked what he was doing. He was asked for ID and when he did not produce it he was arrested. Had the proper chain of events taken place he would have no case (if he was asked his name and refused or if he refused to answer any of the cops questions). However, he was never asked who he was and what he was doing. He was simply asked for ID and that my friend is the first step towards a police state.

      They had an idea of who he was.

      Unless I missed something (and I did RTFA and WTFM-Watched the fine movie) they didn't know who he was. And they never asked.

      Otherwise, I agree with most of your post. The guy was belligerent and apparrently drunk and probably needed a night in the gray-bar inn. Just not for not showing an ID.

    8. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by NeoSkandranon · · Score: 1

      "Are you dudley hiibel?"
      "why, no sir. I dont know who that is."
      "have a good day citizen."

      Sure, he could have asked. Because we all know no one would ever ever lie to an officer to get away with something. Getting someone's ID gets you all the pertinent info that an officer would need to know--name drivers license ## and so forth.

      --
      If you can't see the value in jet powered ants you should turn in your nerd card. - Dunbal (464142)
    9. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by jeko · · Score: 1
      I also saw the video, and while Dudley's clearly being obnoxious, the officer lacks the social skills needed for the job.

      But that's not what disturbs me about this tape.

      What disturbs me about this tape is an large armed man wearing a uniform smashing a small girl into the ground like he's having some WWF flashback.

      The girl is predictably, understandably upset, and could have easily been restrained without harm. Your average high school literature teacher could have coped with this without breaking a sweat.

      Instead, 220 lb Officer Friendly decided his only recourse was to beat this girl down. He's lucky he didn't break her neck.

      Does anyone know if there were ever any consequences for this assault?

      --
      He put his boots up on the table and made a face. "The sig," he smirked. "You can waste your life in search of the sig."
    10. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by Dhalka226 · · Score: 1

      Unless I missed something (and I did RTFA and WTFM-Watched the fine movie) they didn't know who he was. And they never asked.

      Actually I admit I did not RTFA--at least not the one linked. It was slashdotted by the time I got to it. However, I did find another link in the comments which I scanned over. The link was http://www.epic.org/privacy/hiibel/default.html.

      Of particular note to me,

      A Humboldt Country sheriff's deputy responded to a concerned bystander's phone call reporting that a man had struck a female passenger inside a truck. The officer arrived on the scene and was directed by the citizen to Hiibel standing next to a parked truck with his daughter inside. The officer observed skid marks which led him to believe that the truck had been pulled over "in a sudden and aggressive manner." After speaking to Hiibel and observing his behavior, the officer became suspicious that Hiibel might have been driving while intoxicated. Hiibel refused eleven times to provide identification and was subsequently arrested under Nevada Revised Statute 171.123(3), which allows an officer to detain a person to ascertain his identity when there are circumstances reasonably indicating that person has committed a crime.

      (Emphasis is mine.)

      Maybe our only hang up here is what was meant by "had an idea who he was." I did not mean to imply that they knew his name, but rather that they knew he was the suspect in the crime that had been reported.

      They didn't ask his name, they were going to verify name by identification. I think what the Supreme Court is going to clarify is where reasonable suspicion has been met. The Nevada law permits an officer with such suspicion to "ascertain [the suspect's] identity." To me, ascertain says ID check if it is available. I think the ruling will come down on whether or not somebody being pointed out as a potential participant in a crime is reasonable suspicion.

    11. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      Ah, because nobody ever possesses fake IDs?

      Sure, it's illegal, but so is giving a false name.

      Refusing to give an ID, however, is legal.

    12. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by NeoSkandranon · · Score: 1

      Ah, because nobody ever possesses fake IDs?

      Not one that's going to stand up to a police officer taking a hard look at.

      --
      If you can't see the value in jet powered ants you should turn in your nerd card. - Dunbal (464142)
    13. Re:Not "investigating an investigation" by TheLinuxSRC · · Score: 1

      The officer arrived on the scene and was directed by the citizen to Hiibel standing next to a parked truck with his daughter inside.

      While I did watch the video, I did not see this and I don't remember it being mentioned at the site. The video is simply the cam in the cruiser. If you haven't seen it, it is not exactly DVD quality =P

      I totally agree that he should have been questioned (and probably should have spent the night in jail! He did appear to be intoxicated and belligerent.). My hangup is that I think the cops should have first made sure the woman (his daughter) was OK. After that, they should have asked who she was and what she was doing there and the same from him. I don't think they should have simply asked for ID from him and, when it wasn't produced, arrest him. That sets a very bad precident.

  60. To the Supreme Court? by Supp0rtLinux · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Related, I've had a similar beef with our local California law system. I just haven't had the guts to pursue it in court. The issue is the carpool (HOV) lanes on our freeways. *All* of the taxpayers pay to make and improve our roads. That means that me, the single guy, pays taxes that fund the creation and maintenance of our carpool lanes. Yet, because I'm single and I work alone and therefore have no one to commute with, I cannot use the lanes. Yet visitors from Canada and Mexico, Oregon and Washington (and other states) that don't pay for the roads can use them. The carpool lanes are the only thing my taxes pay for that I'm not permitted to use. If I had kids, they could use the public school system. If I go camping, I can use our parks. If I want to read, I can go to my library. All of these are services my taxes help pay for. But if I want to use the carpool lane, I cannot, and can even be fined for doing so. Personally, I think this is discrimination of those of us that are socially challenged, and therefore unwed.

    1. Re:To the Supreme Court? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You can't use the public schools either, you're too old.

      You can't exceed the speed limit.

      You can't run red lights.

      You can't use the carpool lane by yourself because of the incredible number of individual commuters.

      You can't drive without a license.

      You can't be president until you're 35.

      You can't run your own TV station, your taxes subsidize huge networks.

      You can't fly a Harrier jet, even though you helped buy them.

      You can't live in a gov't building, even though it belongs "to the people".

    2. Re:To the Supreme Court? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The carpool lanes are the only thing my taxes pay for that I'm not permitted to use.

      You're permitted to use nuclear weapons and Air Force One? I'm impressed.

    3. Re:To the Supreme Court? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If I had kids, they could use the public school system.

      If you had kids, you could use the HOV lane when they were in the car.

      or if you don't like that one

      If you had friends, you could use the HOV lane when they were in the car.

      SCR

    4. Re:To the Supreme Court? by pudding7 · · Score: 1

      You're not allowed to use women's restrooms at public parks. You're not allowed to drive police cars. You're not allowed to park in the mayor's parking spot. There's all kinds of things you're not allowed to use that are paid for by your taxes. How 'bout this, just consider the HOV lane to be paid for by the federal government rather than the state. That's probably about the right percentage anyway. But let me guess, you're the type of person who doesn't like the fact that motorcycles can split lanes because they get to do something you can't, right? Did you complain when Everquest gave other characters new abilities but not yours? Or maybe you think that extra lane would ease traffic congestion so much that your commute would be lessened significantly. That's basically your complaint, right? That you don't like the HOV lane existing and you think it should be another normal lane? Surely you couldn't be suggesting that we somehow keep it an HOV lane and yet let single, socially retarded people use it, right?

    5. Re:To the Supreme Court? by Percy_Blakeney · · Score: 1
      The carpool lanes are the only thing my taxes pay for that I'm not permitted to use.

      Guess again. Your taxes fund research at universities, but you don't necessarily get to participate in the research team. Your taxes might be used for building private homes, but that doesn't mean you can personally use those homes. Your taxes fund various welfare programs, but you probably don't qualify to get a share of them.

    6. Re:To the Supreme Court? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You also cannot use women's public restrooms (I assume with a name like Supp0rtLinux that you are male). I am also willing to bet you couldn't walk into a police station and ask to test out the AR-15 your taxes paid for.

      Face it man there are lots of things your tax dollars pay for that aren't yours to play with.

    7. Re:To the Supreme Court? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Single man: if you wish to use the carpool lanes, find someone at your workplace to carpool with. Terribly difficult, isn't it?

      The carpool lanes move commuters more efficiently than do normal lanes. By encouraging people like you to leave your car at home instead of jamming it into traffic, they keep the freeways moving. Carpool lanes speed even you, the single commuter, to your workplace or home better than extra normal lanes would. Whether or not you understand what carpooling means, you benefit.

    8. Re:To the Supreme Court? by Rexz · · Score: 1

      Your taxes also pay for nuclear submarines. That doesn't mean you're entitled to borrow one whenever you want.

    9. Re:To the Supreme Court? by bluGill · · Score: 1

      The people of Oragon do pay for those HOV lanes. It is called the gas tax. Come to think of it, I personally pay for part of your HOV lanes, even though I live in MN and have never driven in CA. Most HOV lanes are on federal hiways, which means my federal taxes (including gas tax) go to build it.

    10. Re:To the Supreme Court? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You could stop driving your fat ass around everywhere you go, or you could make some friends to drive with you.

    11. Re:To the Supreme Court? by tfoss · · Score: 1
      So say I have a bike, not a car, I can't use the freeways at all (excepting a few small stretches that are specifically allowed), aren't I being just as discriminated against?

      It's the fact that you choose to drive alone (or that I choose to only ride a bike) that is preventing you from using the lanes. Your own examples show that there are plenty of services the state provides that require many choices to be made in order to gain any benefit. Once you choose to have kids, you'll be able to use that HOV lane as well as get the benefit of public schools, shouldn't you be as upset about schools as you are about the HOV lanes?

      -Ted

      --
      -=-=- Quantum physics - the dreams stuff are made of.
    12. Re:To the Supreme Court? by Supp0rtLinux · · Score: 1

      Okay, okay. You're all right and I'm wrong. I'l shut up now and go hide in my hole with my Anna Kournikova poster. :)

    13. Re:To the Supreme Court? by tftp · · Score: 1
      You can't use the public schools either, you're too old.

      He had his chance, and it was his choice to take it or not.

      You can't exceed the speed limit. ... You can't run red lights.

      That does not constitute use of them; these are not material objects, but information. The information you can use (and you'd better do, when driving!)

      You can't use the carpool lane by yourself because of the incredible number of individual commuters.

      Well, you can use it for turns. The rest is covered by a decision by the taxpayers (represented by your lawmakers) - that includes you - to limit this resource to few individuals, for the greater good of the collective.

      You can't drive without a license.

      You can, on private roads. Public roads are governed by an agreement between the people and you. If you don't like that agreement, don't drive (and don't pay taxes.)

      You can't be president until you're 35.

      This condition corrects itself :-(

      You can't run your own TV station, your taxes subsidize huge networks.

      Become a huge network then.

      You can't fly a Harrier jet, even though you helped buy them.

      You can - join the Air Force. Everybody else is not trained properly to handle such an expensive machine.

      You can't live in a gov't building, even though it belongs "to the people".

      Sure you can; you only need to commit a federal crime and get yourself convicted...

  61. More interesting and less /.'ed site by kwerle · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://www.epic.org/privacy/hiibel/default.html

    Of much interest:
    "A Humboldt Country sheriff's deputy responded to a concerned bystander's phone call reporting that a man had struck a female passenger inside a truck."

    So it would seem he was not 'accosted at random'.

  62. If there was "no way", then they wouldn't hear it. by Kelmenson · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The very fact that the Supreme Court has decided to hear it, means that the Court thinks there are legitimate questions that need to be answered. The court is quite happy to just refuse to hear cases that it feels don't need to be heard.

  63. What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by i)ave · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I understand that everyone wants their right to exist peacefully without being harassed. However, there are occaisional occurances of wanted individuals being caught simply because their car broke down. Let's be honest: If anyone pulls off a roadway and parks their car, they have to be aware that at some point there will be law enforcement who cruise by and will see them. Anyone must be able to deduce that it is not unreasonable to expect that at some point, they may be questioned by an officer... so it shouldn't come as a complete surprise. Do we really want law enforcement to just start turning a blind eye to any car they see occupied that has a passenger inside? It seems to me that refusing to give one's name or ID is very unhelpful and almost antagonistic. People are always observing that Police don't spend enough time stopping real serious crimes, but when individuals like this person refuse to be helpful, it takes that officer's time away that he could have spent on a serious crime. The point is the officer was just doing what he felt was the right thing for him to do and it is possible he ended up getting angry, but being angry over someone who's wasting your time and the gov't's time isn't so abnormal a reaction, is it? Would we really be better off if we made it illegal for an officer to expect someone to give them their name? I don't see how. If someone has a better idea on how the police should react when a person refuses to identify themselves, I would be keen to listen.

    --
    -- I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous
    1. Re:What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They should shoot them...in the foot. That way they can't run so well when they threaten to shoot them again if they don't cough up papers.

    2. Re:What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by malchus842 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yes, there are times when giving your ID is required, I had a breakdown and when the local police arrived, and asked for ID, I showed it. Why? Because I had been driving my car, and last I checked, my state law requires that I carry my license when I'm driving, and surrender it to a police officer who asks. That's one of the prices of driving - you have to follow the regulations surrounding the license you've been granted.

      As an aside, the request for the license was for the contact report, which our local police are required to file anytime they talk to someone in an official capacity. Had the situation been different (ie not vehicle related), simply giving my name and address would have sufficed.

      The ordinance that requires these contact reports was put in place to keep the police in check. And it's a good one.

    3. Re:What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful
      What would everyone prefer a policeman to do?

      Here's an imaginary exchange with a reasonable officer:

      Officer: "Is there a problem here? (to Mimi) Ma'am, are you all right? Do you know this man?"

      Mimi: "Yes, officer, he's my father. We're just having an argument."

      Dudley: "Just a family argument."

      Officer: "Ok, uh, well, we've had some complaints from the neighbors. Would you mind moving along? Maybe take the argument home?"

      Dudley grumbles.

      Mimi: "Sure, officer. Sorry about that."

      Ok, so maybe I'm over-simplifying. But that's the kind of exchange one would imagine. Not "show your papers, prole!"

    4. Re:What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      OKay, then, let me tell you exactly how it happened to me:

      Officer: Hey didn't I stop you the other night?
      Me: Yeah, it's me, man.
      Officer: What are you doing out this late?
      Me: Just walking home, man.
      Officer: ...And home is where?
      Me: 12345 Elm Street, same as it was last time, man.
      Officer: You got your I.D.?
      Me: Nope.
      Officer: What's your name them?
      Me: I told you before, unless you're going to arrest me, I don't have to tell you my name, and I'm not going to.
      Officer: [grasping my arm] Do not resist me.

      So yeah, it's not exactly "show me your papers," but what's the fucking difference?

    5. Re:What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by tfoss · · Score: 1
      Sure, it would have been easier if he had done what was asked. However in this country we have the rights to not do so (at least in circumstances such as these). The fact that the officer and Nevada say otherwise is really the problem. The 'but its not a big deal' argument is dangerous as it leads to an eroding of basic rights that have been around since the country began. For now it's handing over an ID, but what happens when it comes to, say, cavity searches? Where do you draw the line? Fortunately for us, the line was drawn a long time ago so we only have to worry about making sure it doesn't start slipping.

      -Ted

      --
      -=-=- Quantum physics - the dreams stuff are made of.
    6. Re:What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by andreMA · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Anyone must be able to deduce that it is not unreasonable to expect that at some point, they may be questioned by an officer... so it shouldn't come as a complete surprise

      [...]If someone has a better idea on how the police should react when a person refuses to identify themselves, I would be keen to listen.

      I think this misses the point... a demand for identification in this case was never necessary in the first place. Here's how it should have been handled, in my view:

      Cop: Afternoon, sir... is everything here alright?

      Hibel: No problem, officer... what's up?

      Cop: Well, we had someone reporting a fight and need to check things out to make sure everything is OK. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I'm sure you understand that ww need to look into reports like this... Would you mind waiting over there...

      Driver is directed to a place safely off the road where the cop (alone at that time?) can keep an eye on him while interviewing the daughter.

      Cop talks to daughter, determines if anything is amiss -- does she seem upset beyond what might be expected from an argument and being a young driver confronted with a policeman, possibly for the first time? Been crying? Any obvious bruises? Does she plausibly deny having been hit? (yes, sometimes domestic violence victims deny having been abused. That dosen't mean you don't ask!)

      In all likelihood, he'd have arrived at the truth of the matter in short order -- that the original report called in was an over reaction -- and he'd have shaken hands all around and created good rather than ill-will. In less time than his confrontational approach would have taken even if Hibel had cooperated from the outset.

      And guess what? He'd never have needed to ask for IDs or names at all, or even called in the license plate of the pickup truck (though he probably did anyhow as a safety measure when he pulled up - a sane and non-invasive precaution.)

    7. Re:What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by afidel · · Score: 1

      While I expect that an officer may come by, and may even question me, I also expect that I am under no obligation to answer their questions. If we make it an absolute right of people under arrest to remain silent and routinely throw out evidence from police questioning before the suspect is Marandized then why should I not expect at least as much protection as a citizen who has not even been accused of any crime?!?! If the police officer has no other reason to hold the person refusing to answer their questions then they should set them free as it is our basic right not to be held without cause.

      --
      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
    8. Re:What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      Note that Ray Bradbury was stopped and given almost *exactly* this same spiel (sans the refusal to hand over ID), though with some incredulity on the side of the officers that he was actually out for some exercise, which is what prompted him to write Farenheight 451.

    9. Re:What would everyone prefer a policeman to do? by Alsee · · Score: 1

      Anyone must be able to deduce that it is not unreasonable to expect that at some point, they may be questioned by an officer

      Sure. Perfectly reasonable. No one is objecting to questions being asked.

      This is purely about what happens if you don't feel like answering. The point is that not answering is not a crime.

      Hell, the officer can witness you commit a murder and not answering questions is still not a crime. We all know the Miranda warning "You have the right to remain silent, yada yada yada". If guilty people have the right to not answer then obviously innocent people have the right to not answer. You can't arrest someone simply for remaining silent.

      Would we really be better off if we made it illegal for an officer to expect someone to give them their name?

      The Supreme Court accepted the case - most often they don't waste time on a case unless they are likely to reverse the lower court. So most likely the Suppreme Court is going to rule that is already "illegal for an officer to expect someone to give them their name". Just like it's illegal for an officer to expect to search my house without a warrant.

      If he doesn't already have cause to arrest me then we are just two ordinary innocent citizens. He has no more right or power to hassle me than Bob-the-milkman has.

      He can ask anything he likes, but I'm perfectly free to decline his request or ignore him completely. Just like I'm perfectly free to say no or ignore him if he asks to search my house.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  64. Re:The Nazification of America by cujo_1111 · · Score: 1

    I wouldn't be too upset if Bush were killed.

    KNOCK! KNOCK!

    It's the Feds!!

    --
    If I point out that you are incorrect, making me a foe does not make you any more correct.
  65. No Checkpoints?? by rueger · · Score: 4, Insightful

    One of the few things that distinguishes America as a free country is the absense of checkpoints and "papers please" where your very existence is presumed to be a crime until YOU demonstrate that you have a right to exist and that you are free to go.

    Haven't travelled by commercial airliner recently have you?

    1. Re:No Checkpoints?? by fishbowl · · Score: 5, Insightful


      "Haven't travelled by commercial airliner recently have you?"

      Unfortunately you are correct. There's a gray area between rights and privileges. The people who interrogate you at the airport are not police, do not have police powers, and pretty much are not able to do anything except decide whether to let you enter the private property which is the terminal or the aircraft. They can also notify the police if they suspect you of a crime, which is not any sort of exclusive privilege that they have, and you do not.

      Yes, the whole system is that way because federal agencies require it. The theory is, those federal agencies have created regulations under public review and scrutiny, and that the people who make decisions in those agencies are in their position of authority because they were appointed by people you elected. And yes, the people at the airport terminal happen to have a real quick way to get the attention of the police, who happen to be on site. But you are NOT passing a checkpoint that is actually operated by a police agency. Not yet anyway.

      Government operates with the consent of the governed. By not voting, you voice your consent...

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
    2. Re:No Checkpoints?? by Bob+Davis,+Retired · · Score: 1

      This is not the issue. If Amtrak or Greyhound decided to take the draconian measures that the airlines have, it's their decision. You always have the right to travel by other means. You could drive to Canada and fly out of there if you wished. You could take a month off work and cycle to where you want to go.

      These are companies, operating a business, which you are choosing to patronize. If you have your own airplane, you don't need to do anything but get in and go, just like in your own car. You have NO RIGHT to fly on an airplane in this country - it's a privilege afforded to those with the money to pay for the ticket and the time and patience to deal with the retardation that is commercial airline travel.

      You have no RIGHT to drive, either - it's a privilege afforded to you when you pass your driving test.

      Some people have confused their rights (provided for in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights) and privileges afforded to them by federal, state, and local governments and comapanies and other individuals.

    3. Re:No Checkpoints?? by wes33 · · Score: 1

      > If you have your own airplane, you don't
      > need to do anything but get in and go, just
      > like in your own car.

      If you believe this you are amazingly naive. Or else you've just given Bin Laden a great idea about how to spend some money ...

    4. Re:No Checkpoints?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > If you have your own airplane, you don't
      > need to do anything but get in and go, just
      > like in your own car.
      If you believe this you are amazingly naive. Or else you've just given Bin Laden a great idea about how to spend some money ...


      Actually, there's a grain of truth in each side.

      If you have your own airplane, it has to be registered and you have to have a pilot's license and you have to file a flight plan in advance and get clearance to take off of whatever airport you keep it at, otherwise the FAA may get nervous and you might get shot down by the Air Force.

      But you can skip the incredibly stupid TSA screening process. I've had so many of my Leatherman Micras confiscated by TSA that I could probably buy my own airplane :)

    5. Re:No Checkpoints?? by chumpboy · · Score: 1

      Sucks that I won't be able to use my mod points on this topic, but here goes:

      So what is the answer? I have seen a lot of complaining around here, and a recent post using the 'Islamic terrorist' card. What I haven't seen is constructive ideas on how to improve the situation.

      We HAVE been recently attacked by people who hate this country (speaking for the US here). We, as citizens of most any nation, ARE assulted on a daily basis. Most of the time it is not by anyone holding a position of authority. We are usually assulted by our fellow 'citizens'.

      Yes, I am bummed by the fact that this officer did APPEAR to overstep his authority. I do NOT think it is a great idea to be penalized if I do not produce identification. But come on, folks, don't just sit there and complain. Be part of the solution, not the problem.

      By the way, do you vote?

      --
      I'm not prejudiced. I hate everyone equally.
    6. Re:No Checkpoints?? by JimBobJoe · · Score: 1

      There's a gray area between rights and privileges.

      Interesting that you should say that. Most dictionaries and thesauruses consider the words to be synonymous. Even legal dictionaries don't seem to draw much distinction between either word.

      But "privilege" has become corrupted as a power word. People in authority will use the word to imply that there there is some ability that has been granted that can be revoked for any reason at any time. Whether this is true or not is a different story.

      A great example of this is driver licensing. In Ohio, they were invented in 1935. The idea that driving was a "right" was obvious--after all, prior to 1935, you just put your butt in a car and drove.

      Even in 1935, the word "privilege" appeared nowhere in the driver's licensing code.

      By the 1960's, Ohio code had the word littered in all sorts of places. My hypothesis is that road safety campaigners made people think of driving as a non-right, so that they could lobby for their agenda.

    7. Re:No Checkpoints?? by fishbowl · · Score: 1


      >A great example of this is driver licensing. In
      >Ohio, they were invented in 1935. The idea that
      >driving was a "right" was obvious--after all, prior
      > to 1935, you just put your butt in a car and
      >drove.

      Fair enough.

      But the reason the status quo exists is because we the people, on the whole, are adamantly, actively, in support of it. Pretty much any dissent at all is on the fringe, and is conspicuous by its absence.

      Essentially, we like it this way. We continually affirm that to our leaders by our quiet enjoyment.
      (Apathy looks like support, for all intents and purposes!)

      Every day that goes by without an uprising or coup d'etat, and every day that goes by without an entire industry folding due to a demonstration of labor solidarity, and every day that the military obeys the orders from its chain of command, is another day under the status quo.

      Things are just too damned comfortable in the US for anything else.

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
    8. Re:No Checkpoints?? by JimBobJoe · · Score: 1

      But the reason the status quo exists is because we the people, on the whole, are adamantly, actively, in support of it. Pretty much any dissent at all is on the fringe, and is conspicuous by its absence.

      Yes...in the document I wrote on the subject, I more or less alluded to this:
      http://64.72.132.150/~jimbobjoe/driving.pdf

    9. Re:No Checkpoints?? by ChaosDiscord · · Score: 1
      The people who interrogate you at the airport are not police, do not have police powers, and pretty much are not able to do anything except decide whether to let you enter the private property which is the terminal or the aircraft.

      No, they're just federal employees enforcing federal laws with the power to seize property*. But they're not police. Call them what you like, they're law enforcement. Highly specialized law enforcement, but law enforcement none-the-less.

      * Once they've started screening you any forbidden objects (like a small set of sewing scissors) will be seized. They will not let you exit the line, drop off your scissors in your car, and return.

    10. Re:No Checkpoints?? by Bob+Davis,+Retired · · Score: 1

      I'm not naive. You're naive if you think I gave Bin Laden any ideas, troll.

  66. Re:Ooooh, let me think.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    • I wonder if Google has anything
    OMG - We slashdotted google
  67. Re:Republicans 5-4 by ShockerFan · · Score: 0
    who recently found the anti-free speech parts of the campaign finance laws...

    There's nothing anti-free-speech about campaign finance laws. That's just an elitist Republicrat myth you're perpetuating. If it were not possible for campaigns to be funded by special interests, then we would truly have free speech. For example, .....I don't know where I was going with this...I'm really baked right now...bye bye

    and by the way, democrats and republicans all suck, except Dennis Kucinich.

    --

    Ask me about The Shocker!

  68. Not what you might think. by captnitro · · Score: 1

    Reading through the posts citing communist states and national IDs, I can't help but think there's a significant amount of misunderstanding.

    The facts of the case will not be argued over whether someone must carry ID at all times, nor will it set precedent to that effect.

    Yes, the charge of "delaying an officer" is stupid. I'm also quite aware of the fact that denying ID should not be made probable cause. But..

    Remember, the guy was in a car. While a car parked off the side of the road isn't all that suspicious, you do require a license to drive -- and to carry that license with you at all times while driving -- and it's unlikely the guy will argue, "yeah, I walked over to my car and sat in it".

    1. Re:Not what you might think. by Zerth · · Score: 1

      Um, he wasn't in the truck. He was outside of it, and she was in the driver's seat.

    2. Re:Not what you might think. by ryanr · · Score: 1

      He wasn't in the car when the officer arrived. He wasn't driving the car, his daughter was.

  69. Why don't you hand it over? by www.sorehands.com · · Score: 1
    We already hand over several forms of ID when opening an account at a bank. We already hand over ID and be subject to search and x-ray when we go to a government office to talk request services from the government that we pay for. We already hand over ID and are subject to search, x-ray, metal detector, and backround check when we goto the airport. We are subject to urine tests, drug tests, backround checks when we go to work.


    What is wrong with just allowing the police to just check ID and strip search us for being outside our homes?

  70. EPIC and EFF by bruthasj · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Dear EPIC and EFF:

    Please stick to your respective domains--namely, the Internet--for enforcing our rights. Otherwise, your gonna spread yourself so thin you'll render yourselves irrelevant quite soon.

    Thank you,

    Concerned Netizen

  71. Why is this being posted on Slashdot. by Fishead · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Really, I don't come to slashdot to read stories about american politics/law. It is not just that I don't care, it is that this is a forum for geeks.

    Give me more SCO stories, that is what I came here for.

  72. MODS EAT POO by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Jesus christ, stop masturbating long enough to read the blurb at least. The parent post mistakenly got it backwards. His comment is in no way interesting or related to the topic unless you live in Bizarro world.

  73. I was pulled over for absolutely no reason... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In Milwaukee, WI. I left my friends house at about 2am, driving completely sober, used all proper signals (I don't give them one single reason to pull me over any more), and three squads swoop on me. I pull over nicely. Officer 1 gets out of passenger side, comes up on my right with hand on gun. Officer two comes over immediately, and before I could ask him what I had been pulled over for, he says disregard, and goes back to the car. Neither of them saw my face, looked in my car, or even asked me anything. Just disregard. I yelled something like, OK!?!?!?!?!? Thinking also, omgwtf, (I had a bag on me, thinking i'm fucked). I pull away, thinking omgwtf omgwtf omgwtf omgwtf omgwtf. Pretty fucked up if you ask me.

    1. Re:I was pulled over for absolutely no reason... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Officer 1 gets out of passenger side, comes up on my right with hand on gun. Officer two comes over immediately, and before I could ask him what I had been pulled over for, he says disregard, and goes back to the car. Neither of them saw my face, looked in my car, or even asked me anything. Just disregard.
      Stops like this take place every night in metro areas.

      Here's what happened: a crime had been committed, and your car was an exact or very close match to the one that the criminal was driving, so they took you over. As soon as they got close enough that they could see you - not necessarily your face - they knew you weren't the right person, and backed off. Most likely they were looking for someone with another ethnicity or some other trait that you obviously didn't "fit." Once they approached the vehicle, they knew they had the wrong person.

      The cops actually did the right thing in this situation. "Disregard" was being said to dispatch over the radio, not to you. They could have offered you a better explanation, but depending on what type of crime had been committed, they may have had better things to do (like finding the right car).
  74. Rising to the bait. by The+Ape+With+No+Name · · Score: 1

    btw, if you've got a good way to rebut this that doesn't include fuck or asshole, I'm all ears biatches...:)

    Listen here, you jerkoff, if dumb sunsabitches like you are willing to get your ass kicked by a bunch of steroid freak sheriff's deputies, go right ahead. As for me, I'll just run like a raped ape.

    --
    Comparing it to Windows will be a moot point, since El Dorado is going to have a 40% larger code base than XP.
    1. Re:Rising to the bait. by prisoner · · Score: 1

      riiiggghhht. Running from cops will produce a far better result. You're probably a track star so you could outrun the "steroid freak deputies." The result will be that you're sweaty when you get your ass beat...:)

    2. Re:Rising to the bait. by The+Ape+With+No+Name · · Score: 1

      It is all part of a strategy. No, self-respecting Top would want to make a bitch out of a drunk, bleeding, 275lb, sweaty UnixBeard.

      --
      Comparing it to Windows will be a moot point, since El Dorado is going to have a 40% larger code base than XP.
  75. The US is different by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For better or worse. We don't HAVE a national ID. There is no card that identifies you as a US citizen. Closest thing is a passport, and that is an optional travel document.

    The reason is that we feel it is a privacy and freedom issue. Why should the police have a right to demand we show proof of identity? That means if I ever want to leave my house, I'd better have my ID with me or I can get in trouble. That seems to many Americans to be very Big Brother-ish (as in fomr 1984 by Orwell) or Soviet Russia-ish.

    There is also the simple fact that since we don't have one national ID, they have less of a claim.

    1. Re:The US is different by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is no card that identifies you as a US citizen.

      Birth certificates do. Granted, they are issued by states, not the federal government, though.

    2. Re:The US is different by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's called a Social Security Card. It may not have "all the information of a drivers license" or passport but you can bet Congress would like to fix that.

    3. Re:The US is different by Rick+Zeman · · Score: 3, Insightful

      For better or worse. We don't HAVE a national ID. There is no card that identifies you as a US citizen. Closest thing is a passport, and that is an optional travel document.

      Eh? I'd submit that it's your Social Security Card/number. How many attempts are there to make that into the de facto standard for ID? You can make it to a ripe age without a passport, but try doing anything without an SSN.

    4. Re:The US is different by autocracy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Birth certificate or naturalization papers. Don't have one, and you don't have proof of citizenship. Not a good sign if for any strange reason INS wants to talk to you.

      --
      SIG: HUP
    5. Re:The US is different by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

      A tax ID number will work just as well for most things. Also you don't have to (and indeed are recommended not to) carry your SSN card with you. SSN cards also lack any picture, address, or other information to coroborate ID. The closest thing to national ID we have is a driver license, which is state issued and voluntary.

    6. Re:The US is different by Endive4Ever · · Score: 1

      There are laws on the book that prohibit the use of the SSN as an ID number. They're laws that are often ignored, but my wife is a bit extreme about it and refuses to give it out in all kinds of circumstances many people wouldn't imagine they could get away with.

      --
      ---
    7. Re:The US is different by afidel · · Score: 1

      Unfortunatly that statute of the origional social security act (a statute which I might add was a requirement for getting the law passed) was repealed by Congress some years ago. So now the government is free to use the SSN as the foreign key to link all their database records =(

      --
      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
    8. Re:The US is different by Imperator · · Score: 1

      The SSN has your name, a (theoretically) unique number, and your signature. It doesn't make a very good identification card. If you tried to use it at the airport, they'd laugh at you.

      --

      Gates' Law: Every 18 months, the speed of software halves.
    9. Re:The US is different by MrScience · · Score: 1

      Sure glad for the Privacy Act of 1974.

      '(a)(1) It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State or local
      government agency to deny to any individual any right, benefit, or
      privilege provided by law because of such individual's refusal to
      disclose his social security account number.

      --

      You quitting proves that the karma kap worked. The most annoying of the whores shut up. --CmdrTaco

    10. Re:The US is different by dave420-2 · · Score: 2, Interesting
      The US does have a national ID card. It doesn't identify you as a citizen or not, but it does show who you are, and is nationally recognised. It's your drivers license.

      You need it to go for a drive round the block. It's the standard ID shown at bars and clubs.

      I've spent a lot of time in the states, and every time I leave the house, I had to make sure I kept my passport on me, as I seemed to be asked for it a hell of a lot. Picking up a 40 at 10am on a tuesday? "Got any ID?". Going for a drink at the bar down the road? "Got any ID?" Buy something at Vons with my credit card? "Got any ID?" Get stopped driving to Carl's Jr for a double bacon western cheeseburger meal? "License and registration, please". You're expected to prove your identity in the US more than anywhere else I've ever been.

      I live in London (England), and I don't have to carry anything on me. Driving, drinking, buying stuff, whatever. I don't have to show anything. Ever. You don't need to have anything on you when you drive, as they (quite rightly) presume you innocent.

      Americans seem to think the amount of ID-carrying they go through is the "bare minimum", as that's what they've been told. It is, however, half-way up the fascist ladder. You don't realise unless you leave the US and go somewhere else.

    11. Re:The US is different by Endive4Ever · · Score: 1

      Private businesses are still not supposed to use the SSN as an index.

      --
      ---
    12. Re:The US is different by Kiryat+Malachi · · Score: 1

      You are neither required nor encouraged to carry your SSN card, however. I found this out when I got stopped after a job; due to the nature of the job (IATSE stringer) I had to carry my SSN card to any new venue I worked.

      The cop asked me to empty my pockets (presumably because at the time I looked like a stoner) and looked surprised when an SSN card turned up. He asked me why I was carrying it, and explained that it was not encouraged to carry them due to the fact that if you lose it, its a pain to replace and very easy for someone else to use illegally.

      Finally, it isn't photo ID, so its not that useful as ID.

      --

      ---
      Mod me down, you fucking twits. Go ahead. I dare you.
      (I read with sigs off.)
    13. Re:The US is different by SoTuA · · Score: 1
      Finally, it isn't photo ID, so its not that useful as ID.

      Photo IDs are useful as long as you look like your picture. My brother caught some shit from cops in Chile because he grew a beard and long hair, so he looked like anything but his ID. My own ID is from ten years ago, and in the picture I'm thinner and have long hair. I look like my picture when I shave, if anytime.

    14. Re:The US is different by poot_rootbeer · · Score: 1

      > There is no card that identifies you as a US citizen.
      Eh? I'd submit that it's your Social Security Card/number.


      I'd submit that it isn't. In fact, you're discouraged from carrying your Social Security card with you unless absolutely necessary.

      When I took a day trip to Mexico last year, upon returning to Arizona the border guard asked me to affirm my US citizenship verbally, and to show my NJ state driver's license as confirmation. So from this anecdote, the conclusion I'd draw is that there is effectively NOT a national ID, and state driver's licenses come closest but still don't fit the bill.

    15. Re:The US is different by ChaosDiscord · · Score: 1
      Eh? I'd submit that it's your Social Security Card/number. How many attempts are there to make that into the de facto standard for ID? You can make it to a ripe age without a passport, but try doing anything without an SSN.

      True. But you're not required to carry a SS card around. Most people don't, they just know the number. Since it's just a number it's basically worthless as a source of authentication, it doesn't prove that I'm old enough to drink or vote, it doesn't innately map to a name (unless you've got access to a database of SSNs), and unless you've got access to a database of SSNs and photos you'll have a hard time confirming that it's my number. It's nearly worthless as a technique to confirm my nationality. Finally, law enforcement can't demand your SS card. Is it commonly used as an ID? Yes. Is it used as proof that I'm a US citizen? Not in the slightest.

  76. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by iminplaya · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If the program were to show that, they would no longer be invited to film the action. Just like you never see critical reporters in white house press conferences.

    --
    What?
  77. Imagine... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The ACLU, EPIC, and EFF, among others, have filed Amicus briefs in the case."

    In America, the ACLU files briefs.
    In Soviet Russia, the briefs file YOU!

  78. Re:Batman touched my junk liberally. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You didn't read much, did you?

  79. Police State, documentary films by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Alex Jones, a documentary film maker and owner of INFOWARS.COM has quite an archive of situations such as this in what he refers to as the rise of a military police state in America. The common theme that is relative to this article is the notion of being presumed guilty until proven innocent. Citizens are being treated like potential-terrorists, forced to show papers, and subjected to tyranny for resisting.

    Coincidentally there is an excellent dashboard-cam video of a woman in Texas being abused in this very manner. She knew her rights and they arrested her for abstructing justice and assault on a police officer. A jury acquitted her of all charges.

    He has published several films available for purchase, and he gives permission to distribute them at no cost, so you can find most of the films on the P2P networks. Police State 2000, Police State II: The Takeover, Police State III: Total Enslavement

    Other relevant sites include PRISON PLANET and PROPAGANDA MATRIX. All of these sites have a raw Drudge Report kind of feel to it and are more of a collection of news stories gathered from around the globe that illustrate their concerns.

  80. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ah, slashdot moderation reveals its ugly head. This post gets modded troll solely because people disagree with the author's message. This is why user moderation does not work when discussing politics or government affairs in general. Too many self centered assholes moderate solely by their OPINIONS and not the quality of the post.

  81. Slashdot is so predictable by daveschroeder · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    People crying about Nazi Germany, Ashcroft, the erosion of civil liberties. I don't have to read the article, or watch the video, as this is a VERY general concept:

    This could have happened just as easily in 1994, 1984, or 1964 as in 2004 (or 2003, or whenever this actual incident happened). It's not about Bush, or the "climate" in America, or 9/11. It's not about an SS officer saying "papers please", or Jews wearing yellow stars, or a long slippery slope. It's about whether or not, and under what conditions, a local municipal police officer involved in an active investigation can compel a person to identify themselves.

    How is a police officer involved in an active investigation supposed to identify a person? Im assuming that the physical geographic location this took place is also pertinent, since I'm guessing a police officer didn't just randomly stop to make someone identify themselves in a location that had nothing to do with what he was investigating.

    No, I'm not going to say he should have just produced ID, or told them his name, or use the "if he's got nothing to hide" argument. But it's sickening to see the oh-so-typical leftist slashdot response. Hell, not only did I not RTFA, I don't even have to read the comments to guess the standard canned responses.

    So instead of getting all self righteous and spewing the obligatory security vs liberty quote - which is wildly irrelevant to this discussion, by the way - why don't you give me YOUR opinion on when a police officer in an investigation in a particular area can rightfully ask someone to identify themselves, because I'd really like to know.

    1. Re:Slashdot is so predictable by Little+Brother · · Score: 2, Informative

      Instead of getting all self righteous and commenting on what was happening, why don't you read the article before commenting on it. If you have to "guess" about what the cop was doing, don't comment it just adds to the noise here on slashdot, like we need more mindless noise. If it is unavailable and you can't read the article, wait a while, someone will have it mirrored shortly I'm sure, that is just as sure a thing on /. as the hippies going on about security and liberty.

      --

      Little Brother, watching the watchers

  82. Re:Republicans 5-4 by boobsea · · Score: 2, Insightful

    So not being able to air a political attack ad on radio or TV 60 (or is it 30 ?) days before an election is not anti-free-speech?

    Even worse is the fact that news outlets are exempt from this law, and its not like news outlets are exactly fair or balances in their reporting.

    I'm sorry, but political speech is one of the most important rights we have, and even that is being chipped away.

  83. This case is Extremely Important. by Beautyon · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The American government is using the 911 pretext to bring in a national ID card with your fingerprint and eyecan embedded in it. They are trying to make this happen by forcing all passport holders who come to America to either have fingerprints and eyescans in their passports or face being fingerprinted and eyescanned at an American Airport.

    Since all of the the people in the world are having to have fingerprints and eyescans to enter the USA, other countries will use the same biometric technology to control who comes into their countries. If you do not have a biometric passport, you will eventually be scanned say, when you enter Canada or the United Kingdom or any other country.

    This means that Americans will either have to have biometric passports issued by their own government (meaning that the government routinely fingerprints and eyescans innocent citizens) or, Americans will be fingerprinted and eyescanned when they travel to other peoples countries.

    Paper based passports are going to become a thing of the past; all passports will be reduced to a machine readable card. Once this happens, your drivers licence can be your passport AND your drivers licence at the same time. This means that your fingerprints, taken by the governemt so that you can travel, will be available to the police when they ask you for your drivers licence.

    This case is crucially important to the rights of American citizens. If Mr. Hiibel loses this case in the Supreme Court, it means that any policeman can ask for your ID, which will eventually mean that he can demand that you put your thumb into a portable fingerprint reader - on a whim. If he wins the case, the police will not be able to ask to see your ID, and the deployment of the national biometric ID system will be at the very least, delayed at best it will be destroyed completely before it starts.

    If you want to read the reasons why ID cards are a non starter, try this.

    And read this about the man who single handedly brought down the British ID Card system.

    I hope he wins, because this will be a win for the entire Amercan public, and it will also be a clear sign to all other countries in the world that claim they are free democracies; ID cards violate your rights. They are bad for democracy, and should be shunned.

    --
    ATH0 Bitcoin: 1DnwFLXczVZV8kLJbMYoheUrpqHesjxrSi
    1. Re:This case is Extremely Important. by RodgerDodger · · Score: 1

      Once this happens, your drivers licence can be your passport AND your drivers licence at the same time. This means that your fingerprints, taken by the governemt so that you can travel, will be available to the police when they ask you for your drivers licence.


      There isn't anything especially wrong with that. There are circumstances where police are allowed to identify you (for example, when you are arrested for other reasons). There are also reasons why you may wish to identify yourself (for example, to avoid arrest because you happen to resemble a suspect). Having an efficent way of doing that isn't bad, per se.

      The issue of compulsory identification is very different to the means by which said identification is actually done.

      Also, such a digital system could be devised so that only relevant information was returned. For example, if you're required to "show your license" to a cop, the system could return information such as "Yes, he's licensed", or "Yes, he's licensed, but BTW, he's wanted for armed robbery"; if you hadn't committed any crime, the extra details wouldn't need to be disclosed to the officer in question. As such, a (voluntary) smart ID system could actually enhance privacy, rather than decrease it.
      --
      "Software is too expensive to build cheaply"
    2. Re:This case is Extremely Important. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      There are circumstances where police are allowed to identify you (for example, when you are arrested for other reasons).

      You know perfectly well we are talking about a demand for ID WITHOUT an arrest.
      There are also reasons why you may wish to identify yourself (for example, to avoid arrest because you happen to resemble a suspect). Having an efficent way of doing that isn't bad, per se.

      The police should be compelled to make an arrest to force you to identify youreslf. They already have the means to exclude you from an investigation. These are just straw man arguments. You are a troll.
      The issue of compulsory identification is very different to the means by which said identification is actually done.

      Compulsion is precisely what we are talking about. You need to read the links.
      Also, such a digital system could be devised so that only relevant information was returned. For example,

      Coulda woulda shoulda. The fact is that abuses ALWAYS happen, feature creep ALWAYS comes in, and human rights, on the most basic level, simply should never be given away, just because an honest slashdotter understands that good systems are possible.

      You are just another idiot that doesnt have a clue about your rights, why you have rights, how they were fought for and why thedr rights are important.

      You are part of the PROBLEM. Go back to sleep!
    3. Re:This case is Extremely Important. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Leeloo Dallas multipass!

    4. Re:This case is Extremely Important. by RodgerDodger · · Score: 1

      And you're an idiot who didn't read the message I was replying to. The message I replied to was talking about the actual mechanism of identification.

      --
      "Software is too expensive to build cheaply"
    5. Re:This case is Extremely Important. by indefinite · · Score: 1

      Honestly it seems you are the one trolling here.

    6. Re:This case is Extremely Important. by technos · · Score: 2, Interesting

      As much as I hate the idea of the government accumulating a dossier on its citizenry, linking the databases and restricting queries could be good for privacy. Cop tells computer he's running a warrant check; Instead of seeing a screen with my entire driving history, all the cars I own, my entire arrest record, he gets a simple "No warrants". No more information than he's requested, and all requests with a reason.

      Or I've got an expired registration on me, or an expired proof of insurance. Instead of wasting his time writing the ticket and showing to court, plus mine, plus the courts, because all I have to do is show the current version to the judge, a simple "Is HKR 264 registered?" "Yes."

      Would cut down on bullshit rousts too. If you have to give the computer a reason you'll be asked about in court, you'll be less likely to pull someone over just to run them. "Matched description of known local drug offender" works fine after the fact now, but when the cop has to tell the computer up front he thinks the guy is a drug offender and the computer calls him a liar because the owner of the car matches the description of the driver and he is not a drug offender, or that the drivers description doesn't match any local drug offenders, before the car is even to the shoulder, they'll think twice.

      --
      .sig: Now legally binding!
    7. Re:This case is Extremely Important. by poot_rootbeer · · Score: 1

      The American government is using the 911 pretext to bring in a national ID card with your fingerprint and eyecan embedded in it.

      Will this card be made out of tinfoil?

      Since you don't seem to have anything but paranoia and conjecture to back up your bold and assertive statements, I have to assume you're really fond of tinfoil.

    8. Re:This case is Extremely Important. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The card will laminated in a layer made of thin, light latex. When it comes out of its wrapper, its already lubed, so that when it is shoved up your retarded ass it will slide all the way in.

      You pathetic MORON!

    9. Re:This case is Extremely Important. by Beautyon · · Score: 1
      Will this card be made out of tinfoil?

      "The test is part of efforts in many countries, especially the United States in the wake of the September 11 attacks, to extend the use of biometric technology -- using fingerprint, eye or facial recognition scans -- to track travelers and immigrants, while also cutting down on time spent in line."


      This is from CNN attached to this story.

      People like you are wearing tinfoil - over their eyes. You will be scanned nonetheless, if the "paranoid" weilders of conjecture and bold and assertive statements fail to stand up for your basic human rights while you sit around hurling lame insults.
      --
      ATH0 Bitcoin: 1DnwFLXczVZV8kLJbMYoheUrpqHesjxrSi
  84. Re:Republicans 5-4 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What's so great about Kooknich? Just because this idiot is so concerned about national security that he wants to cut defense spending and create a Department of Peace?

  85. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Cops are supposed to be observant, suspicious, paying attention, and generally aware of what the hell is going on.

    It isn't always obvious when someone is doing something wrong, and cops are supposed to stick their nose in things just because they are passing by. This is how they can get a gut feeling that something is unusual. They're trained and that is what society employs them for.

    Sure it doesn't always end up fair, but a lot of times it does. My point is, cops generally don't need any more reason to look closely at something than that it seems even slightly out of the ordinary. If they're wrong, hopefully they'll realize that quickly and move on, no harm done.

  86. Kuro5hin owns you! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    HAHHHHAHHAHA! This was on Kuro5hin way before it hit here!

    You're just a bunch of copycats, aren't you maties?!!!

  87. torrent of video by TedCheshireAcad · · Score: 4, Informative
    1. Re:torrent of video by spinflip · · Score: 1

      ripped, then seeded over 100%

      Thanks!

    2. Re:torrent of video by TobySmurf · · Score: 1

      Also downloaded (at 700K/sec too, wow), I'm letting it seed for one full hour. Come get it people!

  88. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by scribblej · · Score: 1

    Well, this is an obvious point, I guess - I just wan't thinking.

    But now it makes me think: How many people are starting to think these kinds of violations are okay because of shows like this where they occur in *every single episode* and the guy *always ends up being guilty*...?

    I mean, I know half the time when I watch the show - and admittedly, I'm a moron - I find myself thinking, "Well, that sucked... but he was guilty after all..."

  89. good thing he can decide... by ericbrow · · Score: 1

    From all the episodes of cops I've watched, every one claims they're innocent. Who the hell is this guy that he's better than the millions of people who get detained, cooperate, and go on their merry way? I've not seen the video yet (it's suffering the slashdot effect), but unless he was truly harrassed, he was in the wrong.

  90. Re:I think I'm required to here in California anyw by El · · Score: 1

    Fine, except he wasn't driving the vehicle, and he was outside the vehicle at the time the officer rolled up. Nevertheless, all a cop has to do is make up probable cause that you might be guilty of something, and they can demand ID. I got stopped twice for jogging at night in Inglewood, CA.

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

  91. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you're a cop, why harass somebody for no good reason? There's no reason to abuse your authority by forcing somebody to give you id if there's no real reason to investigate them.

    There's a great line in 1984:

    How do you assert your power over other men?

    By making them suffer.

  92. Re:LISTEN UP YOU AMERICA HATING LIRULS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "This man along with every man woman and child in the US is required by law to produce their identification papers to law enforcement when requested. "

    You sure about that? Maybe there is a state law where you live that has such a requirement, but any federal law to that effect would be wholly unconstitutional.

    The government, accusing you of a crime, is obliged to identify you, as well as provide every other bit of evidence against you. Not vice versa.

    You probably should tell your name to the cops when they ask, but, you always have that right to remain silent, which includes giving your name, and you have the right to not show any papers or belongings to anyone.

    If they suspect you of a crime, they can damned well tell you what crime they suspect you of, and they can look for the papers themselves. And you can keep your mouth shut the entire time. And you should.

    If they DON'T think they know who you are, or what crime you they think you committed, or won't tell you, well, they've already abridged your rights if they do anything except leave you alone.

  93. Re:What is there to hide? by El · · Score: 1

    He had probable cause -- a domestic violence call.

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

  94. RTFA by j0s)( · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I just read through all these replies and its completely obvious no one has read the article. Even at k5 a bunch of dumbasses just starting ranting about their rights, author included. the blurbs are sensationalist and try to make it sound as if were in a police state. this took place in 2000 and the guy had it coming. he was reported to the cops, at which point the cops approached him. i could completely understan id he had been walking his dog and the cop came up and tackled him or arrested him becuase he was in "the same place at the same time", but this is none of those. an intoxicated dumbass mouthed off to a cop because he was pissed and the cop finally had enough. under these circumstances the guy is lucky he got off with a 250 dollar fine. 4 years later, the supreme court is going to use this as an excuse to say cops can demand id when they approach with the suspicion or report that you committed a crime.

    had he been sitting on his porch minding his own business, id be outraged. ive been approached by cops and detained, cuffed, becuase i was walking at night. they give you some bullshit excuse, and becuase of that excuse, they are allowed to stop you. its not right, but the police are going to be believed over some random person. maybe we should be more outraged that cops can get by with making up excuses and "bending" police reports. just becuase you get arrested for something doesnt mean that the cop had probable cause or any justification to approach you in the first place.

    1. Re:RTFA by sabat · · Score: 1

      this took place in 2000

      It's in the news because the case is going to the Supreme Court in March, genius.

      and the guy had it coming

      That is a frightening statement. He had it coming? Based on what -- that the police didn't like the way he looked?

      A good definition of Police State might be one in which the police can demand things of you just because they feel like it. This guy may not be someone you want to be best friends with, but unless there are Big Facts left out of the story -- or unless it's an out-and-out lie -- then certainly did not "have it coming."

      --
      I, for one, welcome our new Antichrist overlord.
    2. Re:RTFA by indefinite · · Score: 1
      Being drunk in public is a crime in many states. This also gives cops enough reason to search the person for any other contraband (and can use anything they find in the process, I think). The important part here is that the guy has a right to not say anything and to not hand anything over. The cops have to take everything off him them selves.

      There is a very clear line of where his rights start. The courts have (contrary to what some here are saying) respected this line and usually seem poised to protect it.

      The courts will in no way use this to let cops demand id, specifically because of this.

  95. Re:don't do the crime by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    so, I guess If I leave my ID in my other pants / home / car, I can be arrested?

    that is stuffed.

  96. Re:don't do the crime by malchus842 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Sounds like Ed "If they aren't guilty, they wouldn't be suspects" Meese.

    In America, we are not supposed to be subject to random police action. Sure, the courts have permitted some, but the courts are wrong in those cases. Unless the police have probable cause that I am party to some illegal act (either as suspect or witness), or am involved in some activity which necessitates police(*) surveilance (eg getting on an airplane), then the the police(*) have no right to interfere with my business in any way! If I don't want to talk to them, I shouldn't have to. Period. And that in and of itself is not and should not be cause for them to arrest, detain or otherwise interfere with whatever it is I'm doing.

    The US isn't supposed to be a police state, John Ashcroft and the Patriot Act notwithstanding.

    (*) In this case, police does not mean police force, but police authority, which includes any government agent such as security screeners, etc.

  97. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    They're in for their pensions and try to take the path of least resistance to that goal.

  98. The police don't defend my rights by Operating+Thetan · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They impose the state's will and protect it's existence. Occasionally, this coincides with protecting me. There's a strong difference. Regardless of the morality/ethics of the particular laws, they are imposed via the threat of force, and the police are the tool used to impose that force-the gap between the LAPD, the KGB and the Gestapo is one of accountability, not philosophy.

    Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what your country can do for you-because otherwise your citizenship is meaningless.

    --
    Worried you might not keep your virginity forever? Try new Linux(TM), guaranteed twice as effective as LARPing
  99. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    Forgive me for generalizing, but most police that I've met or known personally have a common personality trait. Namely, they love their own authority, and they love to wield it.

    A lot of cops aren't overly educated either. They get by on the bare minimum needed to play out their childhood dreams of "chasing the bad guys". The only problem is that after years of wanting that they see everyone (except fellow cops) as criminals.

    A lot of cops were bullies in high school. There's a corelation.

  100. Devil's Advocate... by Whyte · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I honestly don't see police requirement of ID as the problem here. Most states have statues that require you to identify yourself to law enforcement. There are a number of good reasons for this.

    First, it allows law enforcement to QUICKLY know if you are the person they are looking for. If you look similar to a wanted felon, and the police stop you. How are they to know you are not the felon unless you identify yourself somehow? If you don't ID yourself, they have to take you to the police station and put you in a line-up or find some other man-hour intensive task to find out who you are.

    Secondly, every time that your ID is run through the FBI's CIC, a record is added to your file that says that this specific law enforcement branch checked your identification at such and such a physical location. There may be a legitimate privacy issue that I can not perceive, but primarily this has become a legitimate tool for law enforcement investigations. It allows law enforcement to do "offline" checks to see what stops were made in an area. Its especially useful in serial offender situations where often a blanket police action may have contact with the serial offender in the area of a crime, but at the time they didn't know he is the cause. But after three different officers in three different police agencies stop the same person in the area of crimes with similar MO's, they can narrow their investigation. This has been used successfully and legally to all of our benefit in the past.

    That being said, police don't need probable cause to stop someone, they need reasonable suspician. A lot of times, police define reasonable suspician as something they call Just Don't Look Right (JDLR). It might not be the most reasoned way to do police work, but a well intentioned police officer can use this to his advantage to elimitate social chaos in his community.

    I haven't examined this particular case in any kind of detail yet, but it sounds like the "individual" conduct of the police officer is what should be investigated. Not whether or not law enforcement needs to have the right to require you to ID yourself.

    Law enforcement in the U.S. is mostly localized. As such, community input into policing policies is very strong today. You as a ciitizen need to decide if you want your police given the tools they need to ensure that felons are not walking the street. Taking this away from will definitely make it a major burden to perform this service for us.

    --
    -- No matter how great your triumphs or how tragic your defeats, approximately one billion Chinese couldn't care less.
    1. Re:Devil's Advocate... by sabat · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I think you're not thinking this through.

      Most states have statues that require you to identify yourself to law enforcement.

      Really? Big marbles statues that speak, or something? If you mean statute, I have strong doubts that any states have such laws -- or, more to the point, that such a law would stand up to Constitutional scrutiny.

      See, we have this concept called "unwarranted search or seizure". Unless a policeman has a good, justifiable reason for asking for my ID, he shouldn't be asking, and I shouldn't have to show it to him.

      People (read: me, but I am not the only one) get upset about this kind of thing because it sets precedent. The path from a free society to a Police State (where all your movements are tracked and must be justified) is lined with stepping stones, and this is one of the bigger ones.

      --
      I, for one, welcome our new Antichrist overlord.
    2. Re:Devil's Advocate... by ScottForbes · · Score: 1
      Most states have statues that require you to identify yourself to law enforcement.

      Now I have this mental image of that great big abstract Picasso sculpture in downtown Chicago, breaking free and roaming the city in search of people who refuse to identify themselves.

      I think that maybe you meant "statute," but I have to admit that your world sounds more interesting.

    3. Re:Devil's Advocate... by Whyte · · Score: 1

      Thanks for the spelling corrections, but...

      See, we have this concept called "unwarranted search or seizure". Unless a policeman has a good, justifiable reason for asking for my ID, he shouldn't be asking, and I shouldn't have to show it to him.

      You will notice that I mentioned "Reasonable Suspician" in my previous post. There is already much legal precedent for this. And this is why these laws are not unconstitutional. Because in most cases, excluding those in which piss poor cops are involved, there is a reason for them to stop you. Otherwise they are wasting not only your time, but their own time.

      But I think you missed the gravamen of my arguement. As I attempted to state, none of this has much to do with statutes which require you to provide ID to law enforcement. It eventually becomes an issues of police discretion. Which could be the reason that the Supreme Court is taking the case into review. Additionally, their could a privacy issue involved with "offline" CIC checks, and that could be another reason why the Supreme Court is looking at the issue.

      --
      -- No matter how great your triumphs or how tragic your defeats, approximately one billion Chinese couldn't care less.
    4. Re:Devil's Advocate... by Rotten168 · · Score: 1

      Maybe like those statues in "The Neverending Story". :)

    5. Re:Devil's Advocate... by Zak3056 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      If you mean statute, I have strong doubts that any states have such laws -- or, more to the point, that such a law would stand up to Constitutional scrutiny.

      See, we have this concept called "unwarranted search or seizure". Unless a policeman has a good, justifiable reason for asking for my ID, he shouldn't be asking, and I shouldn't have to show it to him.


      Many states have such laws. If you hadn't noticed, the 4th amendment is slowly but surely being gutted (mostly in the name of the "war on drugs" but now the "war on terror" is an even better method) and the courts no longer seem to hold the Constitution in high regard. Words like "Congress shall make no law," and "Shall not be infringed" seem pretty straightforward to me, but increasingly the Constitution is merely a guideline instead of the "supreme law of the land."

      What do you expect when Supreme Court Justices make statements like "I suspect that over time we will rely increasingly, or take notice at least increasingly, on international and foreign courts in examining domestic issues."

      --
      What part of "shall not be infringed" is so hard to understand?
    6. Re:Devil's Advocate... by Banjonardo · · Score: 2, Insightful
      "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. "

      -Ben Franklin

      It's a liberties issue.

      --

      -----

      Score 3? For what? Being wrong, at length? - smirkleton

    7. Re:Devil's Advocate... by psykocrime · · Score: 2, Informative

      Most states have statues that require you to identify yourself to law enforcement. There are a number of good reasons for this.

      There are no good reasons for this, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown V. Texas that a Texas law of this nature violated the 4th Amendment to the Constitution.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
  101. Belligerence is irrelevant by Atario · · Score: 1, Insightful

    ...you will be assimilated.

    Just kidding.

    Doesn't matter how rude or belligerent or whatever you are to a cop -- it ain't illegal. Some cop comes up to you and demands ID, or even asks your name, you should be able to tell him "What's it to ya, ya lousy screw?" and flip him off, if you want, without repercussion.

    It's a cop's job to deal with every kind of situation. If you're so thin-skinned that some meanie insulting you or being rude to you causes you to alter your behavior in any way, you shouldn't be a cop.

    --
    "A great democracy must be progressive or it will soon cease to be a great democracy." --Theodore Roosevelt
    1. Re:Belligerence is irrelevant by WiseWeasel · · Score: 1

      It's a criminal offense to insult a peace officer. Practially speaking, a cop has the power to bring anyone they want to the station, so it's best (unless you have a lot of time to waste) to just placate the cop by cooperating. Now, if this were to get out of hand, it could be very effective if everyone refused to cooperate with cops, so they'd have to arrest many more people, thus burdening the system with a bunch of useless arrests. Should it become necessary, this could be a very effective form of protest, if enough people went along with it.

      --
      "I like systems, their application excepted", George Sand (French)
    2. Re:Belligerence is irrelevant by corbettw · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Technically, you're correct. But I think it's a reasonable assumption that if someone is being belligerant to a cop, they're not the type to respect law and authority. Which means it's likely they've done something wrong. Also, you're more likely to be the type that'll throw a punch unprovoked. I think it's safe to say any cop on the street wants to avoid being sucker punched by Random J. Asshole.

      --
      God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
    3. Re:Belligerence is irrelevant by Wolfrider · · Score: 1

      --I know there's some kind of law on the books for "assaulting an officer." Next up, the police-advocacy groups will come forward with a law against "insulting an officer."

      --
      .
      == WolfriderV6 == I'm willing to admit that *I just might* be wrong... Are you??
  102. Re:don't do the crime by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Without seeing the tape he made I'd hazard a guess he was a tad rude to the cop or something. I mean if he feels strong about his rights he could just say "I have rights, move along." but if it's like "no way oinker, go eat some donuts or something baby killer" I'd say down with the punk.

    I am, of course, always right.

    All hail the annoying AC!

  103. A Couple of things... by A+Binary+Rebel · · Score: 5, Interesting

    First off to everyone here asking "why didn't he just show is ID?" I have lived in Urban areas and I have lived in small country towns. Being a caucasian male in his mid-twenties I have never had a problem with law enforcement in the urban areas that I have lived. However in the small towns with the small police departments where there is little more to do than harass the local teen and early twenties population I have had nothing but problems. I have never been officially arrested. Nor do I have or deserve any criminal record. But I have been pulled over, searched, taken in and otherwise annoyed by these small town constables more than I can remember. One day in my late teens early twenties I finally had enough. I had been routinely pulled over and had both my vehicle and person searched at least once a week for several months. I decided I wasn't going to do it anymore as none of the stops ever resulted in more than a ticket for a burnt out taillight. I decided to start refusing the search request. I began to tell the officers that since they have no probable cause to enter my vehicle that the most they could do was a plain sight search. And if they wanted anymore than that to get a dog or a warrant (keep in mind that if they do opt for the dog, which they have in my case a few times, that you should ask them to declare how the dog alerts prior to them letting the dog loose on the car.) This will piss a cop off so be ready for the backlash. I had to do this a few times and sit and wait for them to get a k-9 unit to respond but eventually they began to leave me alone as it took to much time for them. Having gave that background I can complete understand why this man refused the police officers request. The officer had little of no resonable and probable cause to make this request.

    1. Re:A Couple of things... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You should shave off the dreadlocks and quit smokin the ganja. Just a tip.

    2. Re:A Couple of things... by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      If this really is common, then the small towns that have this have no business complaining that all their children are leaving to go to the cities, that's practically pushing them there. It's pretty easy to see, if the town's cops harrasing you, you head toward brighter lights.

      I've never had this sort of problem though, and I've never heard about it from others. While I live in the midwest, it's not like rural Texas or anything.

    3. Re:A Couple of things... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is common in central Ca. It isn't just the young that are it's victims either. Unless I am driving they ain't seeing an ID. I don't like being fucked with. Screw them.

    4. Re:A Couple of things... by 0x0d0a · · Score: 2, Informative

      First off to everyone here asking "why didn't he just show is ID?"

      Because it's a right that, if not defended, can slip away. As demonstrated by the people saying this, it already has to some degree.

      If the only people that refuse to show an ID *are* criminals, than refusal to show ID becomes extremely suspicious in and of itself.

      For the people saying "If you've done nothing wrong, why not just comply?" -- this is *exactly* the mantra that Orwell used to justify everything in his state. It works well. If you're doing nothing wrong, then why should you object to being monitored by state-controlled cameras in your house or any of the other elements of a police state?

  104. Re:Republicans 5-4 by BoomerSooner · · Score: 1

    Money is not speech. I guess you're for shouting fire in a theater since that is infringing on your rights.

    Why is it Republicans always want a smaller government until someone does something they don't like. The "outrage" over Janet Jackson's boob has everyone in a fit, however why can the government stop her "freedom of expression"? Same concept, different view on your part I'd imagine.

    Republicans are hypocrites, every last one of them.

  105. EFF is for InEFFective by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I though the EFF would be a great organization, but it really is just another resume point for entry level liberals. Come in, do nothing, onward and upward. It is a joke, much like the ACLU is becoming.

    And someone please tell Corey Doctorow to STFU. Why should I listen to a Canadian on American civil rights?

  106. know your history by segment · · Score: 2, Flamebait
    who ever said asscroft had anything to do with that particular law? Reading my prior post I did not mention that now did I? I'm thanking Asscroft for current laws trying to be passed into existance. You know those little inclusions like monitoring via library cards what someone is reading... I say what's on my mind without the blur of 'pseudo anonyminity' and can take flames, why would you post anonymously. Don't tell me you're scared of something. After all your identity can be revealed just as easily as mines can.

    For the record regardless of whatever cigar toting Clinton did, can you change what you had for lunch yesterday? I think not. Fact remains Asscroft is the one in power now, and the one who is looking to pass all these kooked out laws, not Clinton. So put your petty political party to the side and shoot from the hip with facts, or at least with something worth substance.

    The USA PATRIOT Act

    The USA PATRIOT Act broadly expands law enforcement's surveillance and investigative powers and represents one of the most significant threats to civil liberties, privacy and democratic traditions in U.S. history.

    What is PATRIOT?

    The USA PATRIOT Act (officially the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act) was quickly developed as anti-terrorism legislation in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The large and complex law received little Congressional oversight and debate, and was signed into law by President Bush Oct. 26, 2001. source

    You're right maybe I should educate myself maybe I wouldn't make so many typos and remember to include links to sources of my information so trollers don't get all pissy in their underoos. Point well taken thank you.
  107. Re:Republicans 5-4 by boobsea · · Score: 1

    What did I say about money? Did you read anything I said at all?

    I am talking about political advertisements. Please get off your "money is not speech" rant. I dont even know what the hell Janet's tit has to do with this either.

  108. Re: WTF? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't get the part about the lawn chairs.

  109. before everyone gets a little crazy by RestiffBard · · Score: 1

    If the officer was specifically asking for ID then he can go shove himself. This is the US you're not required by any law to have ID. It's nice to have if you want something like a bank account etc.. but its not the law to have one.

    However, if the officer was asking for the man's driver's license, which is plausible since he was sitting in a car parked or no, in Virginia at least and I assume every other state it says on the license that you must turn over your license upon the request of an officer.

    If the officer was using the wrong words and asked for ID that doesn't have to exist then he can shove himself and you can all continue ranting.

    Oh, and if you have an ID issued by the DMV, at least in Virginia, it too states clearly that you must surrender it to an officer on request.

    --
    - /* dead coders leave no comments */
    1. Re:before everyone gets a little crazy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative
      if the officer was asking for the man's driver's license, which is plausible since he was sitting in a car parked

      The article specifically states that the man was standing outside of the parked car, leaning into a window, talking to his daughter. No driver's license needed for that, I don't think.

  110. The facts by daveschroeder · · Score: 1

    Well, here they are...

    It turns out, the reason the cops were called was because a neighbor called the cops *on him*! So people are going to fucking say that the cop, once called, had no right to have ANYONE identify themselves?!

    ---

    Welcome to Humboldt County. Papers, Please.
    No? You're Under Arrest.

    On the evening of the 21st of May, 2000, Dudley Hiibel stepped out of his red 1988 GMC pick-up truck and lit a cigarette. The pick-up was parked on the side of Grass Valley Road, a rural stretch of asphalt that leads out of the mining town of Winnemucca into the rural cattle ranching area where Dudley lives and farms.

    The pick-up had been driven by Dudley's 17 year-old daughter Mimi, with whom Dudley had been having an argument over a boy Dudley didn't approve of that she'd been seeing in town. Mimi got mad at her dad and punched him in the shoulder. They continued shouting at one another as they drove back to to the ranch, and Mimi eventually pulled over the truck after her dad said he wanted out.

    That's what Dudley Hiibel was doing that May evening in 2000: standing on the side of Grass Valley Road smoking a cigarette, his elbow resting on the rolled-down passenger window, talking with his daughter.

    Then the police arrived.

    Deputy Lee Dove of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department came on the scene - siren a-wailing - in response to a domestic violence report. Someone saw Mimi arguing with her dad and thought it had come to blows. The witness said that he saw "a man with a black cowboy hat" who "slugged the female". Dove was there to investigate the report.

    Everything that happened next is all on videotape... you be the judge.

    If you think that the first thing Deputy Dove would do on the scene would be to make sure the 'slugged female' was all right, you would be wrong. Deputy Dove never asked or even looked at Mimi until she had been thrown to the ground face-first and handcuffed.

    But that comes later in the story.

    Rather than investigate the complaint, Deputy Dove (who has twice had evidence he collected suppressed by the court) instead began to demand Dudley Hiibel show his ID. Eleven times Dove demanded Dudley show 'his papers'. Dudley asked a simple question: why?

    "Because I'm investigating", said Dove.

    "Investigating what?" Dudley asked.

    "I'm investigating an investigation" was Dove's non-reply.

    Eleven times Dove demanded Dudley's ID. And when the Deputy decided Dudley wasn't "going to cooperate", he cuffed, then tossed him in the back of his patrol car.

    And It Didn't Stop There

    Meanwhile, Dudley's daughter was watching the encounter between her dad and the Law from the cab of the pick-up truck. You can hear her screaming "Nooo" as her father is being handcuffed.

    Another policeman, a Nevada state trooper by the name of Merschel, was on the scene and was holding the door of the pick-up truck shut so that Mimi couldn't get out. Screaming, she finally forced the door open only to be thrown face down into the hard dirt by the side of the road by Trooper Merschel.

    The video is almost too painful to watch at this point. A second trooper climbs on top of Mimi and he and Trooper Merschel brutally pin 17 year-old Mimi to the ground and slap on the cuffs.

    With Dudley Hiibel arrested for refusing to show ID and his daughter Mimi beaten and in handcuffs, Deputy Lee Dove now comes over to talk to Mimi and 'investigate'.

    The Aftermath

    Dudley Hiibel was charged with Domestic Battery, Battery, Acts Which Constitute Domestic Violence, and Obstructing/Delaying A Peace Officer. As there was no battery or domestic violence involved, the only charge that was left was Delaying A Peace Officer. By refusing to show Deputy Lee Dove his ID, Dudley was fined $250.00 . He's appealling it all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

    It is this very charge that is now coming before the U.S. Supreme Court on the 22nd of March. The question before the

    1. Re:The facts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      So people are going to fucking say that the cop, once called, had no right to have ANYONE identify themselves?!

      Yeah, exactly. That's precisely what we're fucking saying. Unless the police actually had reason to charge the man with something -- what, I cannot imagine -- then no, there's no reason to ask for ID. "Move along, please" would have been more than enough.

      You should especially note the excerpt below; very telling about the whole case:

      Mimi Hiibel was hauled-off to juvenile detention and charged with resisting arrest. In court, her father asked the judge a simple question: what charge was Mimi arrested for resisting? The case was dismissed

  111. Read up a bit by The+Tyro · · Score: 2, Insightful

    and then decide... the original link is a fairly slanted version of what happened (if it wasn't already dead you could check it... feel free to verify it when their site comes back up). I tried another link and found this site to be much more complete.

    In short, the police officer got a call for a potential domestic violence or assault, attempted to question the man at the location who fit the description of the individual reportedly involved, and was met with a totally uncooperative attitude.

    Let me tell you how a cop views this: virtually all of the people who hate cops have had prior run-ins with them... ie. they are some kind of scofflaw, or associate with such folks. When a cop gets a "f*ck you pig" attitude, his guard instantly goes up, and so do his antennae... you've stupidly just made yourself his adversary. The police officer in this case had reasonable suspicion that a crime had been committed... and when confronted with a possible suspect who was potentially violent, possibly intoxicated, and wouldn't even give his name, that officer had to act, so he detained the man.

    What should he have done? Ignored the possible reported crime and just let him go? "Awww shucks, citizen... if you're not going to tell me your name then I guess I can't arrest you." Nobody gives their real name when arrested... we find out later who they are via fingerprints and witnesses.

    Maybe it's my prior law enforcement background talking, but I really don't see the problem here. The law doesn't exist to hassle regular citizens... the officer needs to have reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed, and if he does, then he can detain to ascertain identity. An officer can ask you for your identity just walking down the street... but if you've done nothing wrong, you can say "no thank you" and keep walking. If he then physically pounces on you, that's being detained or arrested, and he'd better have grounds. If he doesn't, feel free to own him in court... I would.

    Sheesh... as long as he's polite and just doing his job, what's wrong with telling a proactive police officer your name? There's something called common courtesy, and police officers should be eligible to receive it. Why is a cop ineligible? Because he works for "the man" instead of McDonalds? If you're innocent and a cop asks you your name, you could be an ass about it, insult the cop, smirk, and saunter away... but what would that prove? That you can be a smart-ass? Great... I'm sure your mother would be proud.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "we"?

      fuck i hate you pussy pigs. meowoink!

    2. Re:Read up a bit by soft_guy · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      No cop deserves the slightest respect at all. Fuck them. The only good policeman is a dead one.

      --
      Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
    3. Re:Read up a bit by ricosalomar · · Score: 5, Interesting
      virtually all of the people who hate cops have had prior run-ins with them... ie. they are some kind of scofflaw, or associate with such folks
      That is such utter bullshit that even slashdot should be ashamed.
      I have personally been assaulted by a gang of criminals while an armed, on duty cop watched and did nothing. Then, after I had been held down and kicked by the group, more cops arrived and accused ME of causing trouble.
      I have been walking down the street in NYC with a friend and, since he is black, had 3 cops throw him against a wall and stick a billy club in his kidneys, call him 'nigger' repeatedly, and toss him to the sidewalk, all on his way home from work, at his taxpaying, law abiding job.
      I have been riding in a car in Beverly Hills and pulled over and asked to show ID because the driver was black.
      I don't hate all cops, my brother-in-law is a State Trooper, but I don't trust cops. I obey the law. I hate people who break the law, and I hate punk-ass chumps who get jobs as cops because they have been weak, pussies their whole lives and being a cop makes them feel like a big bad ass.
      So why don't you check that 'virtually all people' crap and read up a bit yourself, dillweed.
    4. Re:Read up a bit by kfg · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Because he works for "the man" instead of McDonalds?

      Garbage men work for the man. The janitor at city hall works for the man.

      The second you put on a badge you are the man. Your personal identity ceases. You are the government in all its might and power incarnate, and with all the restrictions that apply to government power.

      An officer approaches his job with this realization and with respect for what it entails, and accepts the responsibility and the risks to his very life is an object worthy of respect, even a certain amount of reverence. Such officers should be held as our most valued citizens.

      Honestly, meaning no personal disrespect officer, but a man who thinks of police duty as a job, like working at McDonald's, should really find another line of work, and there is no shame in doing so.

      KFG

    5. Re:Read up a bit by lost_n_mad · · Score: 1

      Maybe, just maybe, if the officer had started the conversation off by asking Hibel his name instead of ordering him to produce his i.d. then this sort of shit wouldn't happen.
      Your prior "law enforcement" is clouding the issue. If a police officer asks my name, I'll introduce myself. "Hello, my name is....."Generally though most police that I've done this with are rude. They feel no need to state their name. They feel no need to state why they are wanting to know me. The just want to see my i.d. so they ask my name, and that's what they get, and I'm the one being "uncooperative" for smiling and stating who I am, expecting a handshake and an introduction.
      If the officer is rude, and simply ordering citizens around, how is it that he made the cop his adversary. Would it kill a cop to smile, or say hello, or any other civil convention? The point of the case is that an officer may not simply state a command and expect it to be obeyed. Their job is to keep the peace and uphold the law, most police I've had the misfortune of dealing with are only concerned in upholding the law, not building a peaceful community through upholding the law.

      --
      TANSTAAFL
    6. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting
      There's something called common courtesy, and police officers should be eligible to receive it.

      Interactions with the police are not social situations. When the cop pulls you over he doesn't start by introducing himself and asking after your health; when he takes your driver's license he doesn't say "thank you" and you don't say "you're welcome."

      Cops are inelible to receive common courtesy because cops do not give common courtesy. Police officers happily and routinely lie to you in their investigations; they are under no obligation to tell you anything, let alone the truth. In contrast, making a false statement to the police (any false statement) is a crime you can do time for.

      It's not anything like a symmetric situation. Put it another way: the cop's only possible interactions with you are either hassling you for a bit and then letting you go, or aresting you and making your life shit. Why should you do anything to make life any easier for him? In general, when a cop asks you a question, he's only looking for information he might be able to use against you later. "Do you know what the speed limit was?" is a loaded question; if you get it wrong he can nail you with it, but if you get it right, there's no benefit to you. Best bet is to supply as little information as possible.

    7. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are you a retard? I hate cops, not because I have run-ins with them anytime, but because of the power they have vested in them. WHO THE FUCK IS THIS 2 pence good-for-nothing guy to stop ME and ask for an ID??? He should identify himself first - his division, rank, badge number, name and the college he went to and only then he should ask me for an ID. WOULD U give me an ID if I demanded? No? then why are you willing to give it to some stranger in a strange blue dress? In addition, he carries a pistol, that looks like what Nazi army men carried in ww2. 18 rounds, if i am right... and all he needs is some kind of a stupid ass reason to blow your brains apart... read this story of a black guy from South Africa shot in NYC in 1999? The reason given was that the black guy was taking out his wallet and the *white* cop thought he was taking a gun out. Now correct me if I am wrong - unless you are half blind and demented, no way a wallet can look like a gun..
      So the cops prettymuch have the place to themselves. They own you and everyone else. Say you dont stop when a cop asks you and the cop pounces on you. Later its proven that the cop didnt really have a reasonable doubt to stop you, what do you think they are going to do? they will let the cop go. you will pay the lawyers... remember how much direct evidence was needed to prove police brutality in that LA black man vs white cops case?
      You should take guns away from cops.. also the nitro boosters in their stupid cruisers.. take away all things that they use to maim and kill people.. and ask them to do their job. atleast thats how the rest of the world works and you know what, there are places in this world more peaceful than america.

    8. Re:Read up a bit by rodgster · · Score: 1

      Here in California there are laws on the books that Require everyone to carry and provide ID at ALL Times and produce it to a LEO (Law Enforcement Office) upon request. Not doing so is a misdemeanor and you are subject to arrest.

      As this case points out, being an asshole will get you arrested.

      --
      Who will guard the guards?
    9. Re:Read up a bit by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Let me tell you how a cop views this: virtually all of the people who hate cops have had prior run-ins with them... ie. they are some kind of scofflaw, or associate with such folks

      You're long gone, aren't you. And no, I've never been arrested. I've also never committed a crime that would put me in contact with a uniform. I commit white crimes. I can commit my crimes with impunity and be confident that I'll never be arrested, because I don't look like "some kind of scofflaw" to you.

      Maybe it's my prior law enforcement background talking, but I really don't see the problem here.

      Yeah, yeah maybe.

      The law doesn't exist to hassle regular citizens... the officer needs to have reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed, and if he does, then he can detain to ascertain identity.

      That's exactly the point. Your "law enforcement background" has led you to dehumanize the people that you interact with in the course of your job. There is no legal difference between "regular citizens" and "some kind of scofflaw". You have to treat them both the same. The difference is in your head. And it is a slippery slope from your current opinion all the way down to "fajitagate," broomhandles, and 44 bullets in some poor black motherfucker.

      Sheesh... as long as he's polite and just doing his job, what's wrong with telling a proactive police officer your name? There's something called common courtesy, and police officers should be eligible to receive it. Why is a cop ineligible? Because he works for "the man" instead of McDonalds?

      Yes, actually: Anything you tell to a cop will be used against you if at all possible. Tell me it isn't the truth. Don't get me wrong, I'll never pull the bullshit that Hiines pulled. I'll also never give any information to a cop unless I have to.

      I never used to be so anti-cop. Then a friend of mine became a cop. My whole circle of friends simultaneously gained infintely greater understanding of the heinous shit they have to deal with, and lost all potential to ever trust a police officer. I know *why* y'all dehumanize the people you interact with, but that doesn't make it ok. If you think my anti-cop sentiments are due to criminal activity on my part, please consider the possibility that my kind of crimes are very common among "regular citizens."

      Also consider this: GW Bush used to be a habitual criminal. This is accepted fact (and it's ok with me). Now think to yourself: Would GW or the world be better off if he had spent a few years in jail for the crimes he committed? Even though I don't like him as a president, I certainly wouldn't argue that he should have gone to jail.

      Now think about all the people that are in jail for exactly the same crimes. Should they be in jail? Just because you think they're "some kind of scofflaw"?

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    10. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because of the databases.

      The idea being, if the government wants a national database, they are going to have to work harder to get my identity.

      If there is indeed a balance, this is the only way we can preserve it; the databases aren't going away.

      Consider that the stop; and the identification presented; now go into that database.

      The right to be left alone supersedes the police mission of law and order.

      The idea of a "Terry" stop has only existed since 1968; not many NCIC and PATROIT act databases around then.

    11. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My response to someone who I don't know asking me my name is "who are you and why do you want to know?". Whether they are wearing a uniform or not matters little, it isn't like you can't buy a uniform at any number of uniform or costume shops. Further questioning without an acceptable answer will get "tell me who you think I am and I will tell you if I am them or not". "Investigating an investigation" isn't an acceptable answer because it doesn't tell me any reason I should think it involves me at all. I'm going to be a whole lot more likely to be cooperative if I get some kind of legitimate reason rather than just 'because I told you to'. Anyone who physically accosts me without informing me that they are a police officer and I am under arrest is subject to reasonable and proper self defense. And like more than 1/2 of the U.S., I live in a right-to-carry state. Police around here wouldn't be stupid enough to do something like that, especially if they are not uniformed.

    12. Re:Read up a bit by Duhavid · · Score: 1

      Two things:

      1:

      "but if you've done nothing wrong, you can say "no thank you" and keep walking. If he then physically pounces on you, that's being detained or arrested, and he'd better have grounds. If he doesn't, feel free to own him in court... I would."

      While ignoring the officers request is a bit impolite, it is rudely equivilent to what you have suggested above.

      2:

      Slant. Usually we feel the article is "slanted" when it does not agree with our background/thougths/etc. If it doesnt disagree, then it is balanced. Is it possible that the original link is balanced, and the one you agree with is slanted? Just asking a question, I dont know one from the other.

      3:

      OK, I cant count. On several occasions in my life, mostly, I think because I choose to wear my hair on the longish side, I *have* been hassled by officers of the police forces. I was nothing but respectful, before, during and after, but it happened none-the-less. I am not a scofflaw, nor do I ( nor did I ) associate with people like that.

      I think officers have a tendancy toward an "us vs them" attitude after a while, and some of the more cynical have a "them are criminals, we just havent caught them at anything" attitude. Not many, but some. IMHO.

      The incidents
      A: Driving my old beat up car ( cause that was all I could afford ), on my way up to LA at night, I pulled into a gas station. After I started toward the pumps, I noticed that the station was closed. It was hard to tell, as they had lights on to deter burglers, so... Anyway. I slowed, looked around, noticed another station across the street that looked more promising, so I went across the street ( no excessive displays of speed, waiting where I ought and all ) to the other station. From all I can tell, some officers decided that that was suspicious behaviour, and pulled me over on the pretext that one of the licence plate illuminating bulbs on the rear of my car was out. They ran my drivers licence, and my cars licence, and kept me standing in the cold for a long while. I kept my cool, and was respectful the whole time. Course, that didnt seem to help things, as they seemed to think that I was being respectful because I had something to hide. Darned if you do, and darned if you dont. They asked me ( standing in shorts and a tee shirt ) why I was shifting from one foot to another. I dont remember exactly, but I think it was on the order of "nervous, are you"? I explained that I was cold. BTW, curiously, the next day, the light was fine. And I never did see it out from then on.

      B: Outside the Ken cinema hanging out with some friends waiting for the midnight ( or thereabouts ) showing of the Rocky Horror picture show. Not misbehaving ( that was another time :-), just waiting to buy a ticket. An officer came up telling us we needed to leave. Public place, no emergency, no riot. A friend of mine asked the officer something like "would you mind telling us why we need to leave"? Respectful, no attitude. The officer grabbed my friend and threw him up againt the wall. He used either his arm or a night stick, I cant remember which, to pin my friend by the neck to the wall. He then told him something like "I dont have to tell you, clear the area". Very not respectful. Very violent. I think we would have had him on unnessesary use of force, if we were of that mind. I hope his mother was not proud.

      I understand that police officers have a difficult job to do. I can even understand that the officer in the above situation, not knowing any of use, just him, how he might have felt intimidated. He had *no* right to respond as he did.

      We have a right to expect the same courtesies you are calling for from the officers, and I think the public ought to be civil with the officers.

      In the above case, how did the officer make the request? Did he explain why he was asking? Was he courteous to the individual in question? I'm not saying he wasnt, just asking the questio

      --
      emt 377 emt 4
    13. Re:Read up a bit by John+Gilmore · · Score: 3, Informative

      The California law that claimed to require people to produce ID was declared unconstitutional by both the Ninth Circuit and by the Supreme Court. That case was Kolender v. Lawson. Edward Lawson is a black man in dreadlocks who was stopped and/or arrested more than 20 times for walking around in neighborhoods where the cops didn't like to see black guys. Eventually he filed cases against these cops and won. The cops appealed all the way to the Supreme Court and lost. The Ninth Circuit said it violated his Fourth Amendment rights and was too vague. The Supremes merely said it was too vague, and didn't inquire further -- which is why they needed to take the Hiibel case.

    14. Re:Read up a bit by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

      because I don't look like "some kind of scofflaw"

      It's not a matter of looking like anything... it's a mindset, and attitude; you have it all the way. I'm not talking about attitude on the cop's part... I'm talking about the "F*ck the police" attitude that people who view the police as their enemy typically exhibit.

      There is no legal difference between "regular citizens" and "some kind of scofflaw". You have to treat them both the same

      Nooo... there is a substantial legal difference. Now, they both have the same constitutional rights (which I always respect, BTW), but only temporarily... the the criminal loses some of those rights and freedoms once he's arrested and convicted under the law.

      Anything you tell to a cop will be used against you if at all possible. Tell me it isn't the truth.

      Oh, it's absolutely the truth... but what's incriminating about greeting them with: "Oh, Hey officer... what can I do for you?" or (after getting stopped on a midnight walk) "Oh hey... just walking my dog. Yes, I know it's 3AM, but I work nights, just like you... I walk around here pretty often... something you guys are looking for? Bunch of car stereo thefts? Yeah, sure, I'll keep my eyes open."

      If you think my anti-cop sentiments are due to criminal activity on my part, please consider the possibility that my kind of crimes are very common among "regular citizens."

      You're referring to drugs, of course. Here's the thing: if you're a regular citizen who's smoking a bit of weed in the privacy of your own home, not bothering anyone, or dealing it to neighborhood kids, most cops don't care. Seriously... they've got MUCH bigger fish to fry than you. By the same token, you ARE breaking what society has determined should be its law, and you're taking a risk. If you understand that risk, and you're a competent adult who's willing to suck up the consequences, I'd say good for you... but you know what you're doing; don't whine if you ever get busted.

      I know *why* y'all dehumanize the people you interact with, but that doesn't make it ok.

      I don't know what cops you're used to dealing with, but that's never been part of any department I've been involved with.

      --
      Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    15. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In short, the police officer got a call for a potential domestic violence or assault, attempted to question the man at the location who fit the description of the individual reportedly involved, and was met with a totally uncooperative attitude.

      From what I saw of the video, the cop wasn't questioning any thing NEAR a domestic violence call. All he kept going for was the man's ID.

      Let me tell you how a cop views this: virtually all of the people who hate cops have had prior run-ins with them... ie. they are some kind of scofflaw, or associate with such folks. When a cop gets a "f*ck you pig" attitude, his guard instantly goes up, and so do his antennae... you've stupidly just made yourself his adversary.

      Generally speaking, in my experience most cops come across as dicks. I have had ONE time where the guy was pleasant. I have a friend that is a state trooper, gawd, do I feel sorry for the people that he pulls over, big power trip. You gotta see the change in the way he holds himself when that hat goes on, you can just see the hassle comming.

      What should he have done? Ignored the possible reported crime and just let him go? "Awww shucks, citizen... if you're not going to tell me your name then I guess I can't arrest you." Nobody gives their real name when arrested... we find out later who they are via fingerprints and witnesses.

      No, what the fucker should have done in a case like that is PRIORITIZE. Like, gee, maybe I should check the girl FIRST! No, that cop had his head up his ass is what.

      I have had one occasion when I was 22 to have a cop pull over in front of me at 10:30 at night while walking. Nosey bugger. Wanted my ID, didn't give it to him. He goes into this routine: Why r u acting so nervous?!. I right back at him with , me acting nervous, how?. Pretty much left me alone at that point. The bluff was called.

      Another time, pulled over by 2 cop cars. Asking all sorts of questions, I am friendly (I haven't done anything wrong, beside driving a beater of a chevy nova). I asked what is up since there are two of you pulling me over. The younger cop: You can shut up, we're asking the questions. The older cop is looking at the younger one and APOLOGIZED! Said something to the effect of looking for someone in a car like this, but I wasn't obviously that person. The younger cop is then like: You better get those tires checked and shit like that. The older cop had to nudge him back to his cruiser. Now you should be able to understand a normal persons reservation about those who were the badge.

      Remember, cops and criminals share 8 out of 10 personality traits.

    16. Re:Read up a bit by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It's not a matter of looking like anything... it's a mindset, and attitude; you have it all the way. I'm not talking about attitude on the cop's part... I'm talking about the "F*ck the police" attitude that people who view the police as their enemy typically exhibit.

      Funny, 'cause I've never had trouble from a cop. I dress nicely, shave every day, and speak politely to police officers. I'm telling you: I *do* slip under the radar. I can control my attitude just fine, thank you.

      There is no legal difference between "regular citizens" and "some kind of scofflaw". You have to treat them both the same.
      vs.
      Nooo... there is a substantial legal difference.

      Then we're not talking about the same thing. Let me put it this way: most acquaintance rapists, white collar criminals, upper class drug dealers, etc. will never be accused of their crime. They will treat police officers with the utmost respect. They may not even consider the police to be their enemy. They would be, to you, a "regular citizen."

      Someone with an attitude, darker complexion, lower class diction, and an eighth of weed in their pocket has good cause to fear a uniformed officer. Especially if he's walking around in that upper class drug dealer's neighborhood. Agreed?

      You're referring to drugs, of course. Here's the thing: if you're a regular citizen who's smoking a bit of weed...

      No, you're missing my point. Consider the larger class of Crimes Rich White Men Commit. My crime (felony, I believe) is intellectual property theft. But please, ignore that for a second. I'm just trying to say that many people who have committed my kind of crime do not hold a grudge against police officers. I believe my anti-cop sentiment to be at least somewhat based on evidence, and I'm just saying that I don't want you to write it off due to my criminal behavior.

      I don't know what cops you're used to dealing with, but that's never been part of any department I've been involved with.

      A friend of mine trained to become an officer for the SFPD. He was on the job for a few months, but he quit because he couldn't stand what it was doing to his opinion of humankind. And because he couldn't bust the people that he felt deserved it. And because it was too corrupt. They had to let go a few people on drug busts because they couldn't keep the evidence locker from getting robbed by employees. WTF does that tell you?

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    17. Re:Read up a bit by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      First of all you're the fucking retard. He's a cop that's who he is, trained in the law probably better than you will ever be. He is identified, his badge number is printed, and many cops have a name tag. I wouldn't give you my ID because you are not a person with whome any authority has been trusted. A cop is.

      The pistol looks nothing like the german pistols (do some research into Mausers).

      As for the number of rounds, that has nothing to do with anything.

      As for the 99 case, you don't know shit do you? A wallet in the dark when you're taking it out of your BACK pocket can look like a gun. Look into the compart H&K pistols if you think a gun can't be that small.

      Cops need a damn good reason to pull the trigger. They are just as suceptable to murder laws as you or I.

      As for taking away the weapons and the tools to do their job from cops, maybe you should read up about the bank robbery out in california a few years back. At the time, the cops were not allowed to posess any sort of high powered gun, the best they had were shot guns. The robbers on teh other hand were equipped with body armor, M16s and other high powered rifles and armor piercing rounds. It was I believve a 14 hour stand off. The cops finaly came out on top, but only because some local gun shops offered them high powered rifles and ammo.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    18. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As for taking away the weapons and the tools to do their job from cops, maybe you should read up about the bank robbery out in california a few years back. At the time, the cops were not allowed to posess any sort of high powered gun, the best they had were shot guns. The robbers on teh other hand were equipped with body armor, M16s and other high powered rifles and armor piercing rounds. It was I believve a 14 hour stand off.

      It took them that long to come up with the idea "shoot them in the head"? I mean, really, if they are wearing body armor, shoot for the head and legs.

      Duh.

      In addition, there were only 2 robbers, and like dozens of cops. The robbers can only shoot in 2 directions at once, while the officers could encircle them, ducking when shot at, shooting when the robbers are aiming another direction. Body armor or not, enough rounds will take a man down.

      The cops finaly came out on top, but only because some local gun shops offered them high powered rifles and ammo.

      Yet another reason for the 2nd Amendment- when the cops fail, civilians (or civilian weapons in this case) to the Rescue!

    19. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      First of all you're the fucking retard. He's a cop that's who he is, trained in the law probably better than you will ever be.

      hey hey mister, hold your fire! Dont call me retard so fast, as I can see glaring holes in your supporting argument - A cop is trained in catching people (aka law enforcement) and not law. thats the job a lawyer does. In anycase, I dont think any person with sufficient self dignity would let some silly SOB stop them at whim and fancy. If you think its OK, then that says a lot about your self respect and self dignity.


      He is identified, his badge number is printed, and many cops have a name tag. I wouldn't give you my ID because you are not a person with whome any authority has been trusted. A cop is.


      You wont be noticing and having a chance to note down the number and name from his tags, besides they are easy to fake and any cow can come up with a fake cop uniform. I bet you would fall for it then. Just like a cop wants to check up your identity, there should be a facility to do it the other way around also. He might be someone who is retired/suspended but still has got his "stuff" with him just to trip on people.. who knows? DO you? IN such a case, you are as well off handing your info to me as you are to the cop.


      The pistol looks nothing like the german pistols (do some research into Mausers).
      As for the number of rounds, that has nothing to do with anything.


      They both look deadly and as far as the number of rounds goes, its enough to kill a herd of elephants and we are just humans here.


      As for the 99 case, you don't know shit do you? A wallet in the dark when you're taking it out of your BACK pocket can look like a gun. Look into the compart H&K pistols if you think a gun can't be that small.


      Yada yada yada... a citizen's life is cheaper than a cop's life? a cop can kill at will just for "self defence"? I know about the case and I understood many more aspects of it than you probably because I was a foreigner living in NYC at that time. Some undercover cop, not in his uniform, flashes a badge at some guy in a dark alley in the middle of the night.. that guy happens to be a foreigner.. he is saying that he has ID and wants to show it.. in the mean time our dumbass trigger happy cop kills him! what the fuck? does it even sound reasonable to you? the cop should have asked for back up/ lights what ever.. if not he should have just shut the fuck up and gone his way rather than killing a poor innocent man.. thats the whole gist of law and law enforcement.

      As far as guns being as small as wallets, and m-16s not issued to cops etc, I think the whole problem is in bass ackward thinking in america.. why are people allowed to have guns? Now that people may have guns, every person is suspect to having a gun and can be even killed by a cop just because the person was stupid enough to bend down to scratch his legs. Not to mention, the cops need the same weaponry used in armed conflicts, just short of land mines and mortar shells. I just dont get it.. take guns away from every one.. go to london and try to take a close look at the cops there.. they wont be carrying guns, not a majority of them. does that tell something about "civilized" society? may be not to you...

    20. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Anything you tell to a cop will be used against you if at all possible. Tell me it isn't the truth.

      Oh, it's absolutely the truth... but what's incriminating about greeting them with: "Oh, Hey officer... what can I do for you?"


      You mean like this:

      Hiibel: How's it goin' Sheriff

      Dove: How ya doin'?

      Dove: Well, ...................

      H: Looks like I'm parked ok

    21. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i>A wallet in the dark when you're taking it out of your BACK pocket can look like a gun

      And 4 people accosting you, pointing guns at you can look like a robbery.

      THE cops had their guns DRAWN and AIMED at him. All they had to do was twitch their (itchy) trigger fingers. What, maybe 1/10 of a second?
      On the other hand IF he was pulling out a gun, he would have to swing it around, aim it, AND THEN pull the trigger. Easily a lot longer time. All the cops had to do was WAIT ONE HALF OF A SECOND to see what he was pulling out. They would STILL have had PLENTY of time to kill him if it was a gun.

      ANd what's up with less than 1/2 their shots hitting him? I mean, he was 15 feet away in a lighted area, and the MISSED him more often than they hit him!?!?! They should go back to target practice!

    22. Re:Read up a bit by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      1) It's kinda hard to shoot someone in the head when they're opening up automatic weaponry on you. And IIRC they had head gear too.

      2) Don't you think the cops tried that? These guys are better trained in their jobs than you are. And you'd be pretty amazed what 2 people without regard to human life can do. Remember there were civilians in the area too. So while the robbers could shoot any where anytime, the cops actualy had to aim, aim well and not hit people. Additionaly you ever try dodging a bullet? Give it a shot some time, it's not as easy as it seems.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    23. Re:Read up a bit by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      A cop is trained in catching people (aka law enforcement) and not law. thats the job a lawyer does.

      Kinda hard to enforce what you don't understand.

      I dont think any person with sufficient self dignity would let some silly SOB stop them at whim and fancy. If you think its OK, then that says a lot about your self respect and self dignity.


      I'm not letting some silly SOB stop me, I'm letting a cop stop me, or on a more basic level, I'm lettign a man with authority, and a gun stop me.

      You wont be noticing and having a chance to note down the number and name from his tags, besides they are easy to fake and any cow can come up with a fake cop uniform. I bet you would fall for it then. Just like a cop wants to check up your identity, there should be a facility to do it the other way around also.

      I bet you would fall for it too. But tell me, what iformation is on my ID that is damaging? And how many people do you know that do this?

      He might be someone who is retired/suspended but still has got his "stuff" with him just to trip on people

      He might be looking to get his ass arrested for impersonating an officer.

      IN such a case, you are as well off handing your info to me as you are to the cop.


      The difference is, you don't have a gun, or the appearance of authority.

      Do you buy stuff with a credit card? Do you put your name on forms? Do you pay for things with checks? How do you know the person you are giving this information to is real?

      The answer is, you don't. You have a reasonable level of trust.

      They both look deadly and as far as the number of rounds goes, its enough to kill a herd of elephants and we are just humans here.


      A knife looks deadly too, but that does make it a gun.

      And 18 rounds is enough to kill a heard of elephants is it? Since when?

      a citizen's life is cheaper than a cop's life?

      No

      a cop can kill at will just for "self defence"?

      No, they can only kill the threat. And so can you. Or did you forget that part of the law. If you believe that your life is in imediate danger, you have the right to use deadly force.

      I know about the case and I understood many more aspects of it than you probably because I was a foreigner living in NYC at that time.

      What I coincidence I grew up in NY, and spent plenty of time in teh city thank you.

      Some undercover cop, not in his uniform, flashes a badge at some guy in a dark alley in the middle of the night.. that guy happens to be a foreigner.. he is saying that he has ID and wants to show it.. in the mean time our dumbass trigger happy cop kills him!

      Maybe this dumbass foreigner should have stopped moving and put his god damn hands in teh air like the cops told him to. I don't know about you, but if someone is pointing a gun at me, I'm not about to go reaching for anything in my back pocket.

      the cop should have asked for back up/ lights what ever..

      For someone who was in NYC at the time, you sure don't know anything about the case do you? If you did, you would have known that there were 4 cops at the scene.

      if not he should have just shut the fuck up and gone his way rather than killing a poor innocent man.. thats the whole gist of law and law enforcement

      They were looking for an armed and dangerous criminal. The man they had stopped matched that description. Are you telling me they should have just walked away?

      why are people allowed to have guns?

      Because we have a constitutionaly guaranteed right to life and the ability to defend that life, from everyone, including the government if need be.

      Now that people may have guns, every person is suspect to having a gun and can be even killed by a cop just because the person was stupid enough to bend down to scratch his legs.

      Natural Selection is a bitch isn't it?

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    24. Re:Read up a bit by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      People die in a half a second. Period. Remember that the guy they were looking for was armed and dangerous. In short, no they couldn't have waited.

      The area was not lighted (that was the problem), and I don't recall anythgn about only half their shots hitting him, but if anything, that may have had something to do with rapid fireing of a pistol doesn't lead to great accuracy.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    25. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1) It's kinda hard to shoot someone in the head when they're opening up automatic weaponry on you.

      SO, if they are aiming your direction (lets say you are South of them) you duck back around the corner of the building you are at. Meanwhile the cops that are north, east ans west of them are shooting them. If the bad guys turn and aim west, the cops to the west duck back behind the car they are using for cover, and you pop out and start shooting.

      Do you really need this explained? It's simple strategy.

      Remember there were civilians in the area too.

      "Hey, there's a bank robbery going on. Let's not bother clearing the street of civilians before the robbers come out."

      cops actualy had to aim, aim well

      Not that well, if it took them that long to down the perps.

      Additionaly you ever try dodging a bullet? Give it a shot some time, it's not as easy as it seems.

      Strawman. I suggested ducking back under cover if the robbers turned and aimed in your direction, not fancy 'Matrix' moves.

    26. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      In short, no they couldn't have waited.


      And I say they could have. THEY HAD THEIR GUNS DRAWN AND AIMED ALREADY. They had time (while he continued to pull the object out, and, IF it were a gun, aimed it at them) to ID the object in his hand before merely twitching their trigger finger and firing. They chose to fire first instead, as if fearing for their lives. If I recall correctly, at least one cop EMPTIED HIS GUN (16 shots) at him.

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang!

      Bang! ...all without even knowing who/what he was shooting at. Diallo was DEAD after the first few shots. It was the impact of the rest of the shots that stop him from falling to the ground.

      http://www.afsc.org/pwork/0400/042k10.htm

      On the night of February 4, 1999, four undercover police accosted Diallo in the doorway of his building with drawn guns. They flashed their badges, shouted that they were cops, and ordered Diallo to put his hands up. For reasons we do not know, Diallo reached into his pocket to pull out his wallet. The cops, thinking he was drawing a gun, began firing. In the space of seconds they fired 41 shots at an unarmed man. Nineteen of them struck Diallo and, almost instantly, killed him.

      That's the story as we now know it. We also know that the police thought Diallo resembled a rapist that they were looking for in the neighborhood--i.e., the rapist, like Diallo, was black. Oddly, the police were able to see well enough to believe Diallo resembled the rapist, but were not able to see well enough to distinguish Diallo's wallet from a gun.
      [Emphasis mine]

      Also:

      Four men approaching you with guns drawn--when you yourself know you've done nothing wrong--are to be feared rather than trusted.
    27. Re:Read up a bit by dave420-2 · · Score: 1
      Police officers have to remember they're public servants, not public overlords.

      WE pay THEM. We don't owe them anything. They work for us.

      It seems too many of them are too busy pretending they're Robocop or something to realise they're not. That's the sad state of it.

    28. Re:Read up a bit by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      They had time (while he continued to pull the object out, and, IF it were a gun, aimed it at them) to ID the object in his hand before merely twitching their trigger finger and firing.

      Perhaps you don't understand that they couldn't. You don't seem to understand how quickly you can draw a gun, nor do you understand thinking when you're looking for an armed and dangerous person, and the person in front of you is supposed to be him.

      Diallo was DEAD after the first few shots. It was the impact of the rest of the shots that stop him from falling to the ground.


      Completely irrelevant, you don't stop shooting untill your target is down. Period. The fact that one of the cops had lost his footing and had fallen didn't help matters either.

      Oddly, the police were able to see well enough to believe Diallo resembled the rapist, but were not able to see well enough to distinguish Diallo's wallet from a gun.

      What your site fails to note ws that he was IDed on teh street, and they followed him as they were catching up to him. And it doesn't take a whole lot of light to identify black male, 5 foot 11 inches, medium build last seen in vicinity X. But in a high tension situation, you don't have time to ID something that someone is pulling out of their pocket, especialy when you've already told them repeatedly to stop.

      Four men approaching you with guns drawn--when you yourself know you've done nothing wrong--are to be feared rather than trusted.


      They're alsoa good reason to stand the fuck still and not make stupid moves.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    29. Re:Read up a bit by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      I had my time frame wrong, this shootout only took 2 hours. It was a different one that I was thinking of that was 14 hours. But regardless, do a search for North Hollywood shootout.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    30. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dude, you got serious issues.


      Kinda hard to enforce what you don't understand.

      So, why then do we need courts and lawyers? cops understand it all right? why not let them be the keepers of the law? A cop is just a minion, just a cog in THE MACHINE and not the MACHINE itself... he needs to know just as much as a sniffer dog knows about drugs.


      I'm not letting some silly SOB stop me, I'm letting a cop stop me, or on a more basic level, I'm lettign a man with authority, and a gun stop me

      You have amazing respect for cops. I surrender. Are you a cop or what? or is your dad one?


      bet you would fall for it too. But tell me, what iformation is on my ID that is damaging? And how many people do you know that do this?

      If you are willing to just bend over and give your ID, you are also opening yourself to abuse.. like some other poster said that he was detained all night because his hawaii id didnt show up in their system.. or who knows destination unknown naval brig off the coast. I fortunately dont have gangsta friends, but I dont know any murderers either.. surprise surprise... there are still murders happening in this county, state,country...
      The only reason why i wud stop when a cop asks me is because he has a gun and can use it if i want to run away. :D


      He might be looking to get his ass arrested for impersonating an officer


      How do i care about what he is due to him later? Right now the guy has control over you and thats what you should be worrying about..


      The difference is, you don't have a gun, or the appearance of authority.

      Great to know that eliciting information from you is pretty easy :)


      Do you buy stuff with a credit card? Do you put your name on forms? Do you pay for things with checks? How do you know the person you are giving this information to is real?

      The answer is, you don't. You have a reasonable level of trust.

      Hey - I got a financial interest in doing the above mentioned things. There is neither money nor fun in being shown to be impotent by a copper..


      A knife looks deadly too, but that does make it a gun.


      knife? not even a sword? come on dude.. knife is for cutting veggies.


      And 18 rounds is enough to kill a heard of elephants is it? Since when?


      the bullets used now can do some real damage and when you want to kill an elephant dont shoot it in its ass. :)


      No, they can only kill the threat. And so can you. Or did you forget that part of the law. If you believe that your life is in imediate danger, you have the right to use deadly force.


      self defense in some hostile situation caused by the cop himself? So, is a cop can throw threats around and you and me cannot?


      Maybe this dumbass foreigner should have stopped moving and put his god damn hands in teh air like the cops told him to. I don't know about you, but if someone is pointing a gun at me, I'm not about to go reaching for anything in my back pocket.


      Hey, in the rest of the world, you are not killed for merely moving.. come on even saddam was more lenient than this. The guy said that he was gonna show his ID ... besides 4 cops get sweaty in handling one man? what are they? chicken?


      They were looking for an armed and dangerous criminal. The man they had stopped matched that description. Are you telling me they should have just walked away?

      yes. the aim of law is to let 10 criminals go free, if thats what it takes not to punish an innocent man.


      Because we have a constitutionaly guaranteed right to life and the ability to defend that life, from everyone, including the government if need be.

      and guns help you do it? dude, we are in 21st century, not 18th. back then may be guns made a difference, but not now.. how on earth

    31. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well said. These are the bastards who actually take away our liberties. The fact that we rely on their judgement at all is a joke. They should be all be sliced up and used as cattle feed.

    32. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's not a matter of looking like anything... it's a mindset, and attitude

      I think the term you're looking for is "thought crime".

      HTH

    33. Re:Read up a bit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      he was IDed on teh street, and they followed him as they were catching up to him. And it doesn't take a whole lot of light to identify black male, 5 foot 11 inches, medium build last seen in vicinity X.

      So, everytime there is a rape, you think it's okay that all black males in the area become suspects?

      You don't seem to understand how quickly you can draw a gun

      I know it takes more time to

      1) Draw
      2) Aim
      3) shoot

      than just to

      1) Shoot.

    34. Re:Read up a bit by MoneyT · · Score: 1

      So, everytime there is a rape, you think it's okay that all black males in the area become suspects?


      Did I say that? Show me where the fuck I said that once. The police had a description to go on based on the call they had recieved. The guy matched that descrtiption. He therefore becomes a suspect. End of story.

      I know it takes more time to

      1) Draw
      2) Aim
      3) shoot

      than just to

      1) Shoot.


      Most criminals when they shoot, don't bother to aim, because the cops will start moving when they get a shot off, which will throw the cops aim off. They point the gun in the general direction and fire. The guy was already drawing something. So What we have is draw and shoot. It takes less than 2 seconds to draw and shoot, especialy if you already have the gun in your hand. Again, the guy was in the process of drawing, he had already been ordered 3 times (at least) to freeze, stop moving and put his hands in the air. He didn't. He was believed to be armed and dangerous, the cops had to make a decision whether they were going ot die or he was.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    35. Re:Read up a bit by Alsee · · Score: 1

      they couldn't keep the evidence locker from getting robbed by employees. WTF does that tell you?

      Ummmmm, that they need better locks on the evidence locker? :D

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  112. Farkin cops..... by Raisputin · · Score: 1
    Just 2 weeks ago, there I was out having a great time dancing at one of the local hotspots...My ex-girlfriend was totally shitfaced and asked me for a ride home...Naturally I said sure, because I wanted her to get home safe. I had not been drinking that evening (pretty normal for me)..

    We get into my car and after securing our seatbelts, turining on the lights, etc. we take off. I exit the parking lot and a cop that was going the other way makes a U-turn. I say to my ex-gf "We are going to get pulled over in just a second." We stop at the 4 way stop (2 lanes in each direction) and since there is no traffic I start to cross the intersection. About that time some pedestrians across the intersection and on the opposite side of the road start to cross the street.

    Not 2 seconds later I get pulled over (no surprise there). The officer comes to the car window and I ask him how he is doing, his response: "Apparently better than you are"...I was like "Oh shit, I'm getting a ticket for SOMETHING..."

    Ten minutes later Officer cocksucker comes back and writes me a ticket for failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian...WHAT A DICKHEAD!!! Like I was supposed to stop in the middle of the intersection and wait for these people to cross the street after I had already started moving BEFORE they tried to cross the street...

    Needless to say I am contesting this ticket based on the law and The Corresponding RCW 46.61.235

    This "Officer" was out to write a DUI, and I just happened to be the lucky person leaving the general area at the time...The INTERESTING part is that I am out at this club almost nightly and only drink (more than 1) when I am NOT driving...90% of the time I drink Diet Pepsi or Coffee (OK, so bar coffee is not generally Starbucks...but you get the idea...

    This is clearly a case of a cop having NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN HARASS...THe most fucked part about this is, that I moved back to WA State just over a year ago from NJ...and I'll be goddamned if I haven't been pulled over more in a year back in here WA than I was in 5 years in NJ....

    --
    +(norad) if you rearrange the letters in mother in law, you get woman hitler
    1. Re:Farkin cops..... by cdn-programmer · · Score: 1

      Shit like this has happened to me. I got a speeding ticket one time for sitting at a red light - behind another car.

      The police car did follow me. I was going down the road under the speed limit and he turned in behind me from a side street and followed me. I was not speeding ever. I knew he was there because the light was red and he was sitting at it when I drove past - through a green light.

      I'm clearly not going to speed when I see the cop pulling in behind me - right?

      Well - the next light was red and I stopped behind another car which was also waiting for the light to turn green.

      The light turned green - we started off - a few minutes later the cops lights are flashing and I'm pulled over. After another few minutes I was handed a ticket and the cop suggested I was speeding ont he bridge way back about 2 miles - 2 miles before the intersection he was at when I drove past him.

      He could net even _SEE_ the bridge from where he was. Asshole!

      When I complained he says "Tell it to the judge!". Ya right - you can sort of see the assholes and how the system works... your word against the cop and guess who wins eh?

      Well - since that time I have fought every ticket I have recieved. Fuck them. I have won virtually every case too.

      -------------

      Oh - here is another case. I was given a parking ticket. My van was legally parked, there was still time on the meter and I was at it - unlocking the drivers door as the cop comes walking around the back. He could not see me there because the van is a rather high vehicle.

      As I opened the door I notice the ticket. So I ran around and grabbed at and then caught up with the guy because there was still time on the meter.

      His explanation? Well - its expired by now! I think most people would have fed him a knuckle sandwitch!

      I was on the phone to his superiors within the hour. I called the aldermen and the major's office and demanded an explanation. They cancelled the ticket.

      The bottom line is that this shit goes on way too often. There are a lot of bad cops out there - just as there are good cops. But the botttom line is that traffic enforcment is more or less a money grab and it should be viewed as such and the public should fight it every way they can.

      Any ticket fought in court costs THEM money, even if you lose. So fight every damn one folks. Its your civic duty.

    2. Re:Farkin cops..... by ShockerFan · · Score: 0
      90% of the time I drink Diet Pepsi [dietpepsi.com] or Coffee [starbucks.com] (OK, so bar coffee is not generally Starbucks...

      Go away, viral marketer! Your hip products are not welcome here.

      --

      Ask me about The Shocker!

  113. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I want to see some statistics on their car / foot chases. Not just Cops, but America's Scariest Police Chases, etc. How many of the suspects actually DO get away?

    Sure, the odds favor the police but I can't imagine that they have a 100% track record of captures like they show on TV. Especially when you see those episodes where the guy with 60lbs of camera gear is outrunning the out-of-shape donut-munching cop, and they have to call in backup to catch the suspect.

    Oh well, truth in reporting is just a pipe dream anyhow.

  114. Re:don't do the crime by Trauma_Hound1 · · Score: 1

    Your an idiot, if you actually read into this, and do a google search on his name, you will see this law was already deamed unconstitutional. Now go away, you facist.

    --
    Don't Vote for Norm Dicks! http://www.nodicks2008.com Another nutless dirtbag that voted for the FISA bill!
  115. Did you notice? by daveschroeder · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Sometimes it's easy to forget that the fact this has made it all the way to the US Supreme Court is that EVERY OTHER COURT along the way AGREED that it is perfectly acceptable for a police officer to be able to identify persons, especially when the reason the officer came in the first place was a response to a domestic violence call! So you mean to tell me that the police officer has no right to ask for identification from any party when dispatched to a possible domestic violence situation? Somewhere along the line this guy got lucky because all of liberal groups have picked up his flag and milking it for all it's worth.

    Get a grip, people. It's not "papers, please". Do you honestly believe that if someone calls in a domestic violence call to 911 to a particular location, when there is in fact in an argument between family members (and the story even admits there was at least one punch thrown; it doesn't matter how weak it was or wasn't), that no one there should have to *identify themselves* at all to the responding police officer(s), under any conditions?

    1. Re:Did you notice? by Gaewyn+L+Knight · · Score: 1

      It is papers please... YES! When a cop just shows up on a scene like that how is a person's identification going to help him to know if the person is doing something illegal or not?

      If the lady involved had said she had a restraining order then I can easily seeing asking for his ID to make sure he was the person of record. The cop never asked if they were related so identification to tell if they were related was a mute point.

      If I was being beaten (and that was why the cops were called) I would hope that they would get the story straight before they think they need my name to file a report for my arrest.

      --
      Telcos have alot of dark fibre in the States. Most people assume that's optical fibre...but it's actually moral fibre.
    2. Re:Did you notice? by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      Do you honestly believe that if someone calls in a domestic violence call to 911 to a particular location, when there is in fact in an argument between family members (and the story even admits there was at least one punch thrown; it doesn't matter how weak it was or wasn't), that no one there should have to *identify themselves* at all to the responding police officer(s), under any conditions?

      No, absolutely not. What does identification have to do with anything? Either there is probable cause, based on the statements of the persons present, or not, to arrest someone. Either someone there wants to volunteer their information to be a witness for later, or not. There is absolutely NO reason, ever, period why a U.S. Citizen should be arrested for simply refusing to show identification.

      Now I'm not saying there are or aren't other reasons to arrest the persons involved.. that's another issue. But to arrest somebody for **not other reason** than not showing ID is absolutely, totally and completely wrong...

      And any U.S. citizen who feels otherwise should, IMHO, renounce their U.S. citizenship, and move out of the country. Move to Germany and see about helping reform the Gestapo or something; cause you're damn sure not needed here.

      How anybody can not be outraged at these absuses absolutely boggles my imagination. This is the fucking U.S.A., people... not Soviet Russia, Red China, or Nazi Germany. This shit is not supposed to happen here. Anybody American who RTFA'd this story and isn't angry as hell, does not deserve to call themselves an American.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    3. Re:Did you notice? by daveschroeder · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What constitutes probable cause?

      A concerned citizen called 911 to report a possible domestic violence situation, saying they had seen punches thrown.

      The officer arrives to find the vehicle had been stopped in an erratic, sudden, and aggressive manner.

      The man is immediately belligerent.

      If you're saying the officer should have NO RIGHT to identify that person in the course of attempting to determine what is going on, e.g., to check for prior domestic violence arrests, then that simply represents a fundamentally different philosophical position from mine.

      I take offense that you'd imply that I somehow don't deserve to call myself a US citizen simply because I believe that police officers should be able to identify persons when they arrive at the scene of a possible crime because of a dispatch by a 911 call.

    4. Re:Did you notice? by SagSaw · · Score: 1

      So you mean to tell me that the police officer has no right to ask for identification from any party when dispatched to a possible domestic violence situation?

      The officer has every right to ask for ID. Until you are actually under arrest you don't have to provide identification under most circumstances (at least according to the ACLU, YMMV).

      Here is my question for you: How did not showing ID prevent or interfear with the officers investigation? The way I see it, the officer could have compleated his investigation (i.e. determine if he had physically attacked his daughter) without knowing who the man was:

      Officer: We got a report that you may have physically attacked your daughter. May I see your ID?
      Man: No, unless I'm under arrest, I do not consent to provide identification.
      Officer: OK, that is your right. Please stay here while I talk to your daughter.
      Man: OK
      Officer: (To Daughter) We had a report that your father attacked you. Is that the case?
      Daugher: No, we were having a verbal argument, and my father want to get out of the truck, so I pulled over and let him out.
      Officer: (Seeing no visible injuries) OK, have a good evening, you are both free to go.

      See how easy that could have been? Nobody has to show I.D. Nobody gets arrested. Everybody goes home happy.

      --
      Come test your mettle in the world of Alter Aeon!
    5. Re:Did you notice? by psykocrime · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You're just wrapping up the meaningful facts with a lot of terminology to try and support your position. "911 call" sounds very impressive to most people I suppose... I on the other hand have been a 911 operator, and have been on the receiving end of enough crack-pot calls and silliness that gets directed to a 911 center to realize that the fact that 911 was dialed doesn't add any extra significance to the situation. People are encouraged to call 911 so much in this country that 911 centers are swamped with bogus b.s. calls that interfere with their ability to handle real emergencies.


      I take offense that you'd imply that I somehow don't deserve to call myself a US citizen simply because I believe that police officers should be able to identify persons when they arrive at the scene of a possible crime because of a dispatch by a 911 call.


      Tough. Get over it. And don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way to Nazi Germany. Please take a few of your gestapo friends with you when you leave. You are a disgrace to what the U.S. stands for, if you would allow this abuse of police authority.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    6. Re:Did you notice? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The point at which they have to identify themselves is the point at which the officer decides he has "probable cause" and makes an arrest.

      Prior to that you have no obligation to assist the officer in his investigation.

      The stop, and the id presented, will appear in the database, for all time; which could be used against you for something entirely unrelated.

      If everyone refused to give ID, they would have to revert to the pre-database days and actually interview the people, determine what happened, decide if they have cause, then make an arrest.

      Don't give in to the data collection; it serves no purpose in a free society.

    7. Re:Did you notice? by jdkane · · Score: 1
      it is perfectly acceptable for a police officer to be able to identify persons, especially when the reason the officer came in the first place was a response to a domestic violence call!

      I watched the video and the officer didn't seem to indicate to the man that he was acting in response to a domestic violence call. The man appeared to believe it was something to do with his parking; of course I personally don't believe he was as naive about it as he acted.

      I agree that a domestic violence call should be treated differently than a police officer asking for ID for no apparent reason. What if the police officer had a real domestic violence case on his hands, but let the guy go because he wouldn't show identification -- that would certainly show up in the papers from the opposite perspective.

      Because of the potential domestic dispute, I don't think this is just a cut and dried case of a man who had his rights abused. Of course I have to hand it to the pseudo-arrested man because he didn't put up too much of a fight, and he wasn't overly mouthy either in this case.

      I can see both sides. For me this is a gray area and I hope I hear the results of the trial.

    8. Re:Did you notice? by YoJ · · Score: 1
      The officer should have attempted to talk with the man and woman (which he didn't do very effectively), then either arrest the man or let him go. After failing to get information from the man, he should have asked the woman if she had been hit. If the woman said no and the officer determined she was probably telling the truth, he should have let them go. If she said yes, or said no and appeared to be lying, he should have arrested the man and brought him to the police station for questioning.

      There is an expectation that we as accused citizens have the "right to remain silent".

    9. Re:Did you notice? by barfy · · Score: 1

      This is "papers please."

      There were two significant points to this. First is that he was charged and convicted with the crime of essentially NOT showing his papers.

      The second point, is that in the particular situation, namely there was no visible immediate danger to anyone, nor has the police officer explained why they are there, "Investigating an investigation", may not be sufficient justification or explanation to create the *CRIME* of not showing papers.

      So, regardless of the reason that they were there (though this may have serious 4th amendment consequences), has the crime on not showing papers been commited.

      From the tape I don't think that there was enough procedure established to create the *crime* of not showing papers.

      The officer could have stated "I am detaining you as a material witness to a reported crime in progress." And then asked. "In order to help determine whether or not a crime has been commited and what if any connection you have to this crime, I would ask you for your identification." and if denied " Sir, I am going to inform you, that if you do not provide identification at this time, it is likely that you will be detained for a longer period of time, and importantly, if it is determined that failing to provide identification is material in an criminal investigation you may be charged with the crime of delaying a criminal investigation"

      Granted this may make for a specific form of miranda, and in all practicality, moot (the criminal charges thrown out as a matter of course for this particular criminal case for NOT providing enough procedure to *cause the crime* to hoppen, is probably a pretty small public safety issue).

      From the scenario, it was impossible to know why the police had showed up. And it was impossible to distinguish it from a case where the police cannot create the crime of not showing identification. And that there was no immediate danger to anyone. Then this crime that he has been convicted of should be overturned or else no one can tell the difference between legally not showing ID or illegally not showing ID.

      This case is very important for this reason. If it is allowed to pass the Constitutional Test, then it is essentially illegal to not show ID to the police on demand....

    10. Re:Did you notice? by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      A concerned citizen called 911 to report a possible domestic violence situation, saying they had seen punches thrown.

      Okay, fair enough.

      The officer arrives to find the vehicle had been stopped in an erratic, sudden, and aggressive manner.

      I'm not even sure *how* you'd stop a vehicle in such a manner that it fits all those adjectives. It certainly didn't look like an "erratic, sudden, and aggressive" parking job to me. It could have been more nicely lined up, I suppose, but it was certainly safely off the road. You're reading an awful lot into the truck's position.

      The man is immediately belligerent.

      Not in my reading of the video. The first thing he did was move around the other side of the truck to make sure that he was off the road. The only thing he objected to was handing over ID. He was brusque but straightforward -- certainly not beligerant -- even after he told the officer that he wasn't going to show his ID papers. He didn't get angry until he watched the cops grab his screaming daughter (the girl trying to do no more than run to him), throw her to the ground, and handcuff her. Then he *still* wasn't even swearing (and I'm not sure that I wouldn't be at that point) -- he just kept saying "Big man!", as in "You're such a big man to be beating up on a teenage girl."

      I can see giving an officer quite a bit of leeway in a situation where there is immediate potential personal danger to the officer or citizens. If there's a gun out, yes, following protocol might be ideal, but it's kind of hard to think about details of rules when someone has your life resting in their trigger finger and you have maybe a second to make a flash decision. This officer had all the time in the world. He certainly had the ability to think about what he was doing, and follow proper procedure.

    11. Re:Did you notice? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Am I the only one who still believes in real justice?

      Me and a friend were watching a domestic disturbance from across the lawn one afternoon and both of us affirmed we would just walk into the Mofo's house and whack him upside the head if there were any punches thrown or physical abuse toward the woman.

      This would have gotten us into real legal problems, but I don't care.

      Some things are just "right".

      Luckily,the situation diffused and no interference was needed.

      Maybe I'm just too "old school" for the modern age, but I will stick to my core beliefs and sense of justice. Modern liability and legal prosecution be damned.

      When a person's first thought about acting on a reprehensible act is "will I get sued", the writing's already on the wall.

      This civilization is doomed.

    12. Re:Did you notice? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      "If you're saying the officer should have NO RIGHT to identify that person..."

      Uh, that would be a "power" to identify, not a "right."

      The officer in this situation is exercising powers, not rights, some of them perhaps legitimate, other perhaps illegitimate, and his exercise of the legitimate powers may, under the circumstances, be lawful or unlawful..

      An illegitimate power could be, for example, some State law requiring that people identity themselves when requested by peace officers, and believed to be legitimate by the legislators who passed it, the Governor who signed it, and all the judges, DAs and police officers who put people away under it. But if that power flies in the face of the Constitution, it is null and void from the moment it is passed, and anyone acting under it enjoys no protection in their unlawful actions. Of course as a practical matter a higher court has to determine the unconstutionality of the law before anyone will acknowledge it, and rarely will anyone who acted under it be prosecuted for their actions, thanks to the way the Just-Us system works.

      A legitimate power unlawfully exercised could, for example, be the power to compel people to identify themselves in some justififiable conditions but exercised when those conditions aren't present.

    13. Re:Did you notice? by mindstrm · · Score: 1

      Your problem is that they shouldn't have to identify anyone.. and if the guy has a prior record, although that information may be useful to the police, it is not REQUIRED for the police to do thier job.

      This officer is there to protect and serve, right?

      He could have stopped at the place, been friendly, explained more clearly that someone called about an abuse situation, had a look, seen that there was no big fight, and nobody was beaten up, and then LEFT THEM ALONE.

      Instead, he got hung up on why the guy would not show ID. What do you need the ID for? For the guy to PROVE he has no priors? That sounds dangerously like "Guilty until proven innocent"

      I agree, police in many situations need all the information they can get.. but in this case, how did the officer serve society? He didn't, he just ruined two people's night by detaining them illegally.

      You do not need a huge background history check to deal with what is going on at the moment, I'm sorry. If there are people robbing a bank, do the officers need them all to show ID before they can determine if, in fact, it is actually a robbery? Get real.

      The man was not charged with anything other than failing ot show ID.. that's the point. If an anonymous phone call is probable cause.. what else is? Can the polie walk around asking everyone on the street for ID because an anonymous caller said that there was a known bad guy on the block? Where does it end?

    14. Re:Did you notice? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      *rrriiinnnggg*

      911: Hello, what is your emergency?
      Caller: I just saw someone I know brutally raping a woman.
      911: Ok, what is the man's name?
      Caller: daveschroeder
      911: And your name is, sir?
      Caller: *click*

    15. Re:Did you notice? by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1
      People are encouraged to call 911 so much in this country that 911 centers are swamped with bogus b.s. calls that interfere with their ability to handle real emergencies.

      Side story: One day, in Toronto (well, Mississauga, right beside Square One mall, actually; close enough) I was witness to a t-boneing. As in, the first car through the light was t-boned by some idiot, and my car was second.

      My wife ran up to offer assisstance (as we heard children screaming from inside the van which was on it's side) while I called 911.

      And the 911 person seemed to think that I shouldn't have called over so trivial a matter as a multi-vehicle accident with probable injuries. Pissed me off.

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
  116. (OT) Re:Happened to me by Alakaboo · · Score: 1

    It's so true though; we've all experienced these things, and it's frustrating. Shit just breaks, through a non-obvious user error, or a bad patch or incompatibility, or some exploit or virus, or just randomly for some inexplicable reason. And it takes hours to figure out the problem, let alone fix it, assuming it's fixable. There's a REASON there's such a stereotype against Microsoft software. A damn good reason.

  117. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    I disagree. that would make GREAT tv.

    Problem is the cops probably have a veto.

  118. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by soft_guy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sure it would make good TV, but how much longer do you think that COPS would be allowed to stay on the air? No police would let them do ride alongs if they showed police abuse.

    --
    Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
  119. Nazi != Insightful. MOD DOWN by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Clearly you didn't read any of the articles, or, more importantly, watch the video. Oh, and the Nazi thing, very obscure, very nice. Like the other AC said, "You lose."


    Nice try, though. You need to be modded down for speciously arguing. You're not insightful at all. At best, you're a karma whore.

  120. Try being black! by Juise · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm amused by how shocked you all are. I'm black, and to make matters worst I've lived in Wisconsin most of my live. Milwaukee is a nice city with very few racial issues, but as soon as you step foot out of the city limits, it's a whole new world. These types of things have happened to me countless times. If there is a cop behind me and I am outside the city limits there is a 90% chance I will be pulled over. They will simply follow behind me until I make a little mistake, or I have left their jurisdiction.

    I've been pulled over for going 3 mph over the speed limit, pulled over for "looking suspicious" (AKA being black in a white neighborhood), pulled over for "matching the description" (black male about 5' 10", isn't that like 70 of black men?), pulled over for "running a red light" (that was clearly still yellow after i cleared the intersection), the list goes on and on. Each time my car is searched, I'm searched, they find nothing and I go away without as much a warning because they know they had no reason to stop me in the first place.

    Here's a good story...
    My cousin and I were cementing the base of my aunts garage. I went in the house to get more cement. When I came back out I find two officers, with weapons drawn pointed at my cousin. Now to draw the proper mental picture my cousin is of course black, the officers are white, one is holding a shotgun, the other is holding his sidearm. My cousins hands are covered in cement, he has a bucket of cement at his side, and a spatchel (or whatever its called) in his hands. I say "what the heck is going on here?". Cop1 "we got a report of break ins in this area". Me "Are you blind? We live here, we have for 10 years! We're fixing the garage." cop2 "Sir put your hands up!" I put my hands up, this exchange goes on for 5 minutes. They get a radio call, and proceed to their car. I request the officers badge number to file a complaint. He slams the car door in my face and they drive away.

    The sad thing is I have many more stories like this, and so does pretty much every black person I know. Maybe from now on I will start video taping myself everywhere I go.

    --
    The past is just the present only older -me-
    1. Re:Try being black! by 44BSD · · Score: 1

      Amen, brother (no pun intended).

      I (a white male) was accosted by the cops after I had the poor sense to report a crime I had witnessed seconds earlier. Being first on the scene, I was ASSumed to be the perp by other, later onlookers. Anyway, the cops would NOT listen to reason, and basically treated me as guilty until proven innocent.

      I am still pretty angry when I think about it, and it was like 8 years ago.

      My first thought after I was released after 20 minutes of bullshit with the arrogant jock with a badge was "Shit, this happens to black guys ALL the damn time".

      I won't lay any white liberal "solidarity with the underclass" crap on you, but I was ready to friggin storm the barricades after this comparatively minor indignity. You ask me, black America has the patience of Job.

    2. Re:Try being black! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pity the poor black guys. They thought "equal rights" would mean they would be treated like whites. Who know we would all be slaves. Great! Now we are equal, equally abused.

    3. Re:Try being black! by Night+Goat · · Score: 1

      You know, ten years ago, I would have been shocked. Back then I didn't have much first-hand knowledge of the legal system. Now though, after having been arrested a couple times for minor violations and having had to go through the system, it doesn't surprise me one bit. Cops are more concerned with making their jobs as easy and beneficial for them personally as possible. If they can get a few easy tickets, maybe score a drug/alcohol bust while they're at it, why not? Sure, it's not actually making the streets safer, but it looks good to the chief.
      Then, they do it to you, you find yourself arrested. The judge has you at a hearing with 30 other people in a two hour block. He's thinking, get them in and out, then I can get out of here. So the prosecutor offers you a plea, plead guilty to a lesser sentence so we don't have to spend the time and money going to trial. You're getting railroaded into a guilty plea, because of course you don't have the money to hire a lawyer and the state says you can't have a public defender because they feel you make too much money. So much for the right to an attorney that the Constitution grants you. So you get sentenced, and that's one more for the state. Makes them look pretty good, none of the 30 people sentenced that day even fought for their rights. Then you leave, and are forced to pay court costs. Nice little business they've got going here.
      That's basically what happened to me when I was sentenced. It happens every day, there are tons of stories just like this. I'm sure you know first hand, being black. Not to imply you're a criminal, but you realize how the system works just as I do. Justice isn't the main priority here.

    4. Re:Try being black! by evilviper · · Score: 1
      I'm black, and to make matters worst I've lived in Wisconsin most of my live. Milwaukee is a nice city with very few racial issues, but as soon as you step foot out of the city limits, it's a whole new world. These types of things have happened to me countless times. If there is a cop behind me and I am outside the city limits there is a 90% chance I will be pulled over.

      I've spent a lot of time in Wisconsin, and know several people that are black, latin, etc. None of them has mentioned any problems with cops in the area.
      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    5. Re:Try being black! by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      I've spent a lot of time in Wisconsin, and know several people that are black, latin, etc. None of them has mentioned any problems with cops in the area.

      Have you asked them?

    6. Re:Try being black! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obviously, no. ;)

    7. Re:Try being black! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      oddly enough you can get the same general reaction being white...... in a black area!

      Got pulled over for driving through North Omaha late one night. I was going to pick up a friend whose car had broken down coming home from work, and well I was white in a black area after midnight so I must be buying drugs!

      Searched me, the car, the whole shooting match!

      The burden of proof was on ME! I had to prove I was innocent and had a right to be where I was. They did not have to do anything but not think I was where they wanted me to be.

      And that is part of the issue in a larger sense. It shifts the burden of proof onto the accused.

  121. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by Politburo · · Score: 1

    That's not true. Read the White House conference transcripts. They rip Mclellan a new one daily.

  122. Not just Nevada -- also Ohio by michaelmalak · · Score: 3, Informative
  123. Citizen/Alien by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There is a difference. Make no mistake about it, there is no excuse for treating our guests badly. I don't think making our alien friends carry ID is a good idea. But the fact is they are guests, and outsiders. Asking a citizen to carry ID is totally bogus though.

    Not that most of the aliens here don't do more work than the people that are born into U.S. citizenship.

  124. Re:Republicans 5-4 by DAldredge · · Score: 1

    And it was the republican house & exec branch that made it possible.

  125. Five minutes by nuntius · · Score: 1

    and a few fingerprints.

    No ID required.

    See? Wasn't that easy?

    No need to detain anyone.

    1. Re:Five minutes by WiseWeasel · · Score: 1

      5 minutes, plus the rest of the day trying to get all that damn ink off yer digits... The problem is that they don't have everyone's fingerprints on file to compare to, only those of people who have a drivers' license or have been arrested before. It would make it easier to determine if you've been misidentified as a perpetrator, though, like if the real perp gave false info pointing to you.

      --
      "I like systems, their application excepted", George Sand (French)
  126. it helps by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    to know your local and state laws.

    Some states do not allow a traffic stop by unmarked vehicles, for precisely the reasons you articulated (my prior law enforcement service was in such a state... traffic stops were ONLY by marked units).

    Some states do allow unmarked cars... but you're exactly right about the danger... lonely road, by yourself, female, etc... I wouldn't stop either. What I would do is call 911 on your cell phone, advise them where you are, that you have a questionable police car following you, and you want to verify that they're legit. If it's not for real, they'll be very interested... there's few things cops hate worse than fake cops.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:it helps by frankthechicken · · Score: 1

      What I would do is call 911 on your cell phon

      Though in the UK, you'll be liable for a fine if you seek help in that way.

      Of course calling 911 in the UK, probably wouldn't do that much good anyway.

    2. Re:it helps by iminplaya · · Score: 1

      What I would do is call 911 on your cell phone...

      Great. Now I'm going to be stopped for using my cel phone while driving :-) Seriously, you might not have the luxury of time when 911 puts you on hold. It seems a person has no legal means of self defense when it comes to dealing with the police(fake or real) The Pedro Oregon case in Houston is a good example of this.

      --
      What?
  127. How's this for a benefit: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Show us your papers and you get to spend the night at home.

  128. You know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    some people don't have that problem.

  129. devils advocate I disagree by Brigadier · · Score: 1



    Convict has escaped from some holding area. has enough time to change his appearance just enough. If you look like this person or yrou acting suspicious does a cop not have the right to ask who you are and to prove it. if now how are they to do thier job. Just because a cop asks for ID doesnt' mean he is trying to arrest you. Hey i'm a black man in LA and yes there have been times where i've felt unfairly picked out from a crowd. However i'm a law abiding citizen who pays taxes and likes the fact that the crime rate in my community isn't bad. Thus if a cop asks for ID i'll give it to him. No he doesnt' have to say please or thank you. It would be nice btu he doesnt' have to. I think an unfair comparison is being made to Natzi germany. This is simple a cop trying to do his job, seperate the bad from the good, based on teh general priniciples and premis of the consitution and law. and prosicute the guilty. People need to realize in teh real worl someone who is an evil child mulestore looks no different from a say yrou standard joe schoe. Half of police work is based on gut and instinct. If you see someone sitting at the side of the road for no apparant reason, it is within your means to evaluate that person. That may involve checking his ID and letting him know hey i'm a cop and i'm watching you. something as simple as that could diture a would be rapist. sorry for the grammer.

    1. Re:devils advocate I disagree by Phillup · · Score: 1

      See... the problem I have with this, is the presumption of innocence.

      It isn't there.

      And it is supposed to be.

      Why is the cop asking for ID? He wants you to prove you are innocent.

      That is wrong, IMHO.

      And, that is the problem I have with the Patriot Act... in a nutshell.

      You are guilty until proven otherwise.

      That is the problem I have with the DMCA... you are guilty until proven otherwise.

      --

      --Phillip

      Can you say BIRTH TAX
    2. Re:devils advocate I disagree by TheLink · · Score: 1

      "Why is the cop asking for ID? He wants you to prove you are innocent."

      It is a good way to give you an opportunity to prove you are guilty.

      Some criminals panic and pull a gun, or drive off.

      Drunks/people possibly high on illegal drugs like the stupid idiot in the story (who kept saying stupid things "wow big man" etc) are often worth checking up on.

      Go watch the movie clip, the transcript may not be as accurate as some of the ppl here think.

      --
    3. Re:devils advocate I disagree by trg83 · · Score: 1

      Sorry, I do not take Constitutional advice from someone who can not spell.

    4. Re:devils advocate I disagree by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      Witch ebonics skool did you go two?

    5. Re:devils advocate I disagree by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Convict has escaped from some holding area. has enough time to change his appearance just enough. If you look like this person or yrou acting suspicious does a cop not have the right to ask who you are and to prove it."

      of course in this situation he has the right to ask for id or who you are. and when you ask why, or what seems to be the problem. he should reply "we are looking for a person that is simulular to your apearance" or "fits your description" then you better hand it over.

      now if you are just standing there, he comes up and asks for your id (maybe because you look out of place) and has no reason at all, then that is wrong. if they expect us to co-operate at all, then they can atleast have the curtesy to give us a good reason. this whole discusion might have been avoided if the officer in the video told him "we have a report of domestic violence at this location and they described someone looking like you" when he ask why do you want to see my id.

      i don't think it is because the cop didn't have a reason, it was because he acted like he didn't need a reason when the guy couldn't comprehend why he was being ask to produce it.

      i'm not sure i would have produced an id in this case. the cop didn't even ask him who he was. just give me an id and do it not.

    6. Re:devils advocate I disagree by Kombat · · Score: 1

      Why is the cop asking for ID? He wants you to prove you are innocent.

      That's the most retarted thing I've read so far this month. There's still a week to go, but I'm going to go ahead and give you the cake anyway.

      Think about what you just said. It could be used to argue against ALL ARRESTS AND TRIALS. "Why should I have to go to trial and prove I'm innocent? They should hold the trial without impacting my life AT ALL, and then come get me once they've PROVEN to a judge that I'm guilty."

      Get real buddy.

      --
      Like woodworking? Build your own picture frames.
  130. Re:don't do the crime by Whyte · · Score: 1

    Actually they need reasonable suspician to stop and question you, not probable cause.

    Probably cause to believe that a specific crime was committed and that you specifically committed it would be a level of certainty next to impossible to obtain without knowing specifically who you are anyway (ie identifing you in some way) in a lot of situations. Specifically when crimes are witnessed by citizens instead of the police (which is how it works most of the time). 2.2 police officers per 1000 citizens in this country makes it impossible for them to witness much if any crime on their beat.

    --
    -- No matter how great your triumphs or how tragic your defeats, approximately one billion Chinese couldn't care less.
  131. USA free? by pizpot · · Score: 1

    All I can say it is going to take a long time for the USA to get any respect from the world. I think maybe the US government should just ban the media already, so they can do their dirty work in private. God bless France and Canada

  132. Please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Let the "in Soviet Russia" jokes die.

    Along with Natalie's hot grits.

    Its soo lame to watch people so insult their own intelligence by posting this cheap karma whoring drivel.

    1. Re:Please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is a story about what, whether correctly or no, some people perceive as America sliding towards the kind of police state Soviet Russia really was.

      In other words, in this story, "Soviet Russia" jokes are on-topic and almost funny.

      Save your grouching for "in Soviet Russia, Linux installs YOU".

  133. Re:don't do the crime by malchus842 · · Score: 1

    Dave - I think we mean the same things. I wasn't trying to be technical with "probable cause" but was trying to say that the officer needed some reasonable answer as to why he feels it is necessary to require me to speak with him if I don't feel like doing so.

  134. ACLU membership (and some advice) by sdedeo · · Score: 5, Informative
    As someone with a contrarian (read: Yankee) spirit, I often leave my wallet at home when I go out for a walk. And, being a dork, I'm often up late working or thinking, and so I end up walking late at night.

    I have never had a problem in the big cities. This is most probably because I am white. The police there have focused their efforts on hispanic and Af-Am people. If you want to hear about civil rights violations, how about the kid who was just shot and killed for walking on the roof of a housing project in NYC?

    But when I go down to the beach in small town Long Island, I often run into cops. Either rent-a-cops who will watch me as I walk down a long, empty avenue, or the real police.

    Here are your rights (as understood by the court up until now):

    1. The police have a recognized right to try to stop and talk to you. (i.e., don't get all like "hey, you have no right to bother me. I ain't doing nuffing wrong.") Argue with it if you like, agitate to change the system, but don't bother to try to change it right there.
    2. The police have a (generally) recognized right to ask you where you're going and where you're coming from. This is a bit fuzzier.
    3. You do not have to show them identification if you don't want to. This does not apply if you are in your car and driving, and are pulled over: then you must produce Driver's ID. If you are a cyclist, like me, you have to have some kind of ID if you a cycling on the road, but it does not have to be a Driver's license.

    Watching this video, this guy is making a lot of mistakes. Look, I don't like dealing with the police, but if your real intent is to be left alone to exercise your freedoms (and not to just cause trouble), you are well advised to:

    1. NOT make any sudden movements, jump around, act agitated, or get nervous. Look, I know you want to exercise your rights, and if you're (like me) a white male who's never been in trouble with the law you are probably the most likely to succeed, but calm the hell down. If you can't calm down, you have lost. Bzzt. Sorry, Constitutional Crusader.
    2. Do not elaborate. Repeat what you have said. Refuse to show your id. Expect the officer to play mind games.
    3. Once you have repeated your refusal not to show your id, ask, very calmly, "am I free to go?" If the officer says, "no," ask "am I under arrest?" Repeat this question until you get a firm answer. If he says "no," then say "as I am not under arrest, I wish to go. Am I free to go?"
    4. If questions of searching, "helping out" or otherwise obliging come up, repeat "I do not consent." This is robot time, people, don't get involved in a debate.

    This is the ACLU 'Bust Card.'

    It's the way it works. If you really care, give $100 to the ACLU. They work on these things, and they really have been effective in a huge number of national, state and local cases. They don't just cover the big ones.

    --
    Protect your liberties. Donate to the ACLU
    1. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The ACLU -- defending the Amendments of the Bill of Rights...all 9 of them...

    2. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >your id, ask, very calmly, "am I free to go?" If
      >the officer says, "no," ask "am I under arrest?"
      >Repeat this question until you get a firm answer.
      >If he says "no," then say "as I am not under
      >arrest, I wish to go. Am I free to go?"

      Precisely. What most people don't seem to understand about this, is, by the time you get to this point, you need to realize that your plans for the next 24 to 72 hours are going to change. You're probably being arrested for something. The reason you need to be careful is that, from this moment on, anything significant that you say, do, or ask, is a mistake. Most people seem to think they can talk their way out of being arrested, but if you're at this point where there is some doubt, it's best to assume that you ARE being arrested, and so anything you say is just giving them evidence to use to justify their arrest.

      If they don't have that already, it will be embarrassing at the arraignment.

      Trouble is, people being arrested usually are guilty of doing what they are being arrested for, and try to use their assertion of rights as some sort of loophole, hoping for a procedural error or something.

      If you're being arrested for something you simply didn't do, let the police dig their own hole, and let them jump in it when they have to explain this to your lawyer and a magistrate. Insist on every bit of the process you're entitled to.

      The real problem is, pretty much all arrests in the US are either alcohol-related violence, or else possession of small amounts of marijuana. I don't have any sympathy for the former, and the latter shouldn't be illegal in the first place, but there you go.

    3. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · · Score: 3, Informative

      >1. NOT make any sudden movements, jump around, act agitated, or get nervous.

      And for Krelden's sake keep your hands someplace visible.

      Police have to deal with some really nasty people. They've seen situations go bad really quickly, either in real life or in training films. If you're a stranger they'll think about officer safety when interacting with you.

      Don't alarm them. Standing on your rights is one thing, making an officer worry about his safety is a completely different thing.

    4. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by guacamolefoo · · Score: 2, Interesting

      A good response to a police request for you to do something is "are you asking me or telling me to do X". Make them commit. If they are "asking" then decline. If they are "telling" then do it but let them know that you do not consent to it.

      Being polite and relaxed is excellent advice. It is also incredibly hard. The psychological pressure of being stopped by the police is tremendous even if you are innocent and even if you know what your rights are.

      The single best advice is "shut your mouth". Give them your name and address only. Everything else, even "I'm going to church to wash the feet of the poor" can be somehow used against you. Silence can't.

      GF.

    5. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by gmhowell · · Score: 1

      Sweet link. I've been looking for something like that for a while. (BTW, I donated to EFF this year. Haven't had the fundage for ACLU, but may try to scrounge up $30 or so. Just skip a DVD, and I'm there.)

      --
      Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
    6. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's really cool, thanks for the link. I do care, but I'm a seriously poor guy trying to be in school and have barely an income. I did manage to scrounge $35 for them, and it's close to time to renew, but you know trade offs like eat or be `charitable`, well, ya know.

    7. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting
      The police there have focused their efforts on hispanic and Af-Am people.
      The word afram seems to be catching on, without the negative connotations of some other words.
    8. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Like I want to support NAMBLA...

    9. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by Alsee · · Score: 1

      The single best advice is "shut your mouth". Give them your name and address only.

      Uhhh, hellooooooo.... the primary topic here is about not giving your name and address, chuckle.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    10. Re:ACLU membership (and some advice) by guacamolefoo · · Score: 1

      Uhhh, hellooooooo.... the primary topic here is about not giving your name and address, chuckle.

      No, the primary topic here is about producing ID upon demand. That is somewhat different.

      GF.

  135. Should have got their ID by bluGill · · Score: 4, Informative

    Fight back is a good idea. You missed one important point: get their id. By law they must give you their badge ID. When they stop you for no reason all you need is a lawyer to file charges against them.

    BTW, while technically they are not required to help you in getting that id, if you don't have a pen handy and they refuse to lend you their's, write a formal letter of complaint to the police chief. Might or might not result in anything, but it will go on his record. (In most areas you can and should check that record to make sure it is there)

    1. Re:Should have got their ID by yaj · · Score: 0

      I always have at least 3 cameras with me,
      (digital, small APS, and now cell phone)
      and have been known to say,
      "would you mind If I record this and take a few pictures?"
      Of course, the police officers always object
      I tell them I'm publishing them on one of my websites
      and freedom of the press applies
      Oh, and if you have a problem with this call
      Captain X down at Internal Affairs
      because I'll call Internal Affairs right now

      If this fails to convince them, I dial 911 on my cell phone
      and ask to be put through to Internal Affairs
      (this in NYC)

      My eyes aren't that good and I've gotten that crap about
      "You can take our badge numbers off our badges, but we're not going to tell you them..."

      they tend to be a little surprised by the camera(s)
      I also carry a small tape recorder and have recorded these encounters

  136. Kalifornia Uber Alles by swb · · Score: 1

    I can almost hear Jello Biafra...I'm actually rather surprised that the LA police were all that interested in the ID of someone not directly involved in the comission of a crime.

  137. California Uber Alles by black_widow · · Score: 1

    Sing along now... the dead kennedy's are listening.

    >>>
    I am Governor Jerry Brown
    My aura smiles
    And never frowns
    Soon I will be president ...

    Carter power will soon go away
    I will be Fuhrer one day
    I will command all of you
    Your kids will meditate in school

    California uber Alles
    Uber Alles California

    Zen fascists will control you
    100% natural
    You will jog for the master race
    And always wear the happy face
    Close your eyes, can't happen here
    Big Bro' on white horse is near
    The hippies won't come back you say
    Mellow out or you will pay

    California Uber Alles
    Uber Alles California

    Now it is 1984
    Knock knock at your front door
    It's the suede/denim secret police
    They have come for your uncool neice

    Come quietly to the camp
    You'd look nice as a drawstring lamp
    Don't you worry, it's only a shower
    For your clothes here's a pretty flower...

    DIE on organic poison gas
    Serpent's egg's already hatched
    You will creak, you little clown
    When you mess with President Brown

    California Uber Alles
    Uber Alles California

    1. Re:California Uber Alles by 1u3hr · · Score: 1

      I'd just like to add that the Stallone/Snipes movie Demolition Man satirically posited a future just like that.

  138. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by Endive4Ever · · Score: 1

    I think that the way the cops always go into a chickenshit screaming fit 'put your hands up! put your hands out where we can see them!' in their shrill panicky voice, escalates the situation. If there wasn't anything 'wrong' going on, there is by the time the dust settles.

    It's chickenshit cop-panic-mentality at it's worst. It's surprising it gets on the air, but it always does.

    --
    ---
  139. Dennis Kucinich by No-op · · Score: 3, Informative

    Dennis Kucinich www.kucinich.us voted against the PATRIOT ACT in congress, and forcefully supports the elimination of it as well as it's related nonsense. He also supports repealing NAFTA and removing the US from the WTO, etc. Yeah, that's why he isn't going to win, but he makes a lot of great points. I wish he got more coverage! He's the only candidate, Democratic or Republican, who I have ever felt excited about- once I heard him talking about his platform on NPR I was in shock to hear a candidate who actually made some sense. just an FYI!

    --
    EOM
    1. Re:Dennis Kucinich by Brandybuck · · Score: 1

      Though he opposed the PATRIOT act, his website says nothing at all about eliminating the Department of Homeland Security. He is completely silent on the issue of the illegal searches and seizures of toenail clippers in national airports. But he does advocate a "Department of Peace." This is just as scary to me as a Bush's new department.

      The grandparent post to which I replied talked about the US being closer to an authortarian state than we realize. Running through Kucinich's position papers, I realize that he WANTS an authortarian state, but one that is kinder and gentler than Bush's. The vast majority of his positions requires larger and more intrusive government. That's not solving the problem, it's only exacerbating it.

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
  140. Cops don't have to investigate. by bluGill · · Score: 2, Informative

    Don't recall which case, but the supreem court has ruled that cops do not have to protect you. Case came out when one man broke into a house where 3 women lived, trapped them all in a bedroom, and was raping them. One women (under the bed?) managed to call the police. When they came to the door he answered, and said "no, everything is alright. No, you cannot search without a warrent." (or words to that effect) After the police left he went back to the rape.

    A commonly cited case when gun control people bring up the police.

    1. Re:Cops don't have to investigate. by Kaki+Nix+Sain · · Score: 1
      That is plain dumb. If a call from someone saying they are being raped isn't probable cause, I can't imagine what is.

      Oh the other hand, walking down the street, even if there has been a crime "in the area" isn't.

      --

      (C) Kaki Sain, 2011. By reading this, you have illegally copied my property to your brain.

    2. Re:Cops don't have to investigate. by wampus · · Score: 1

      If a woman makes a domestic abuse charge, the man WILL be arrested. Its required in a bunch of states.

    3. Re:Cops don't have to investigate. by Katharine · · Score: 1

      bluGill wrote: Don't recall which case, but the supreme court has ruled that cops do not have to protect you. Case came out when one man broke into a house where 3 women lived, trapped them all in a bedroom, and was raping them.

      You are probably thinking of Warren v. District of Columbia, 444 A.2d 1 (D.C.App. 1981), which is often cited in by folks opposing gun control. It is not a US Supreme Court case, but the principle you cite that the police are usually not civilly liable to you for failing to protect you personally from a crime is pretty well established.

      In the Warren case, three women were in the house, and two men broke in. While one woman was being raped, another of the women in a different room heard her screams and called the police. While waiting for the police to arrive the two women who were not being raped crawled onto the roof for safety.

      The police came to investigate, but didn't investigate too far. One knocked on the door, but there was no answer, and nothing appeared to be amiss from the outside, so they left. The women on the roof crawled back into the house and hearing the third woman's screams, made a second call to the police. No police were dispatched. The women thought the police might be in the house, so they called out . . . unfortunately drawing the attention of the rapists.

      To make a long and horrible story short, all three women were kidnapped to one of the rapists' apartments, and were raped and brutally beaten for the next fourteen hours. They sued the District for damages and lost.

      If you want to read the case you can find it at http://www.healylaw.com/cases/warren2.htm

  141. Re:If there was "no way", then they wouldn't hear by Xenographic · · Score: 4, Informative

    Expanding on the above (and noting that IANAL, I just took a class on the Supreme Court here at the university)

    The Supreme Court is a court of limited appelate jurisdiction* so cases rarely start there and thus they generally hear appeals from other courts. The "limited" part means that they decide if they want to hear any case. They are only obligated to hear cases over which they have original jurisdiction (which is defined in the Constitution, and which is narrow enough that it almost never happens).

    To be considered by the court, four of the nine justices must decide that they want to hear the case. There are several reasons why a judge may want to hear (or why they may NOT want to hear) any given case. I forget the exact statistics, but they only hear something like one in one hundred cases. I remember some figure of less than 10,000 cases being appealed to them and a figure of something on the order of 100 actually being heard by them. They can rule either by just reading all the material supplied by both sides and then ruling on it, or they may do the rulings after having oral arguements from both sides. In oral arguements, they ask lots of hard questions and can interject or go on a rant at any time whatsoever. The Chief Justice (currently Rhenquest) is charged with keeping them on task (some of them have a habit of just talking to each other during the arguements, others are more engaged...) The judges aren't very constrained, but the lawyers for both sides are very much on their toes. God help you if you don't have a ready answer; they're not there just to have you restate what you said in all your briefs...

    Sometimes, the justices want to hear a case to affirm some precident. This isn't all that common--there just usually isn't any reason to hear something just to affirm it (though this does happen for various reasons). Statistically (and this is part of what my university course was on!), they intend to reverse or vacate any case they hear. When they reverse it, they decide in favor of the person who lost the last round in the court system. When they vacate a ruling, they send it back to the previous judge with instructions about what that judge should not have done. Usually, it doesn't direct the judge to come to any particular conclusion, but it tells the judge how they may or may not arrive at their conclusions (e.g. directing them to ignore/take into account certain evidence, etc.).

    There are also reasons why they may not want to hear any given case. Perhaps some justice is afraid that "their side" will "lose" and set a bad precident.

    When I say "their side" I should qualify that. If you do the statistics (as my prof did both in class and in the book he wrote, which was a class text), some justices tend to agree with each other more often than the others, whereas others are nearly polar opposites (agreeing in only something like 20% of the cases). Dividing the Supreme Court into "liberal" and "conservative" will get you a fair correlation, but it doesn't really represent a sharp distinction concerning their judgements. The justices certainly have their own political views, but they're not slaves to them and everything depends on the respective merits of the case--you can't just sit back and figure that the five of nine "conservative" justices will win you your case. There are several "swing" justices, in any event, who will muck up any predictions you try to make about any particular case. The statistics just aren't the whole story.

    So this is a wild tangent, I know, but if you're wondering, this should have given you a better insight into how the Supreme Court makes decisions. I know that it comprises much of what I learned in that class...

    * The Supreme Court has very limited original jurisdiction--usually only over things like treaties the US has signed. Original jurisdiction means that they get to hear a case before and instead of any other court, by the way. Generally, they get cases ap

  142. I get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The US constitution does not provide rights. It details some of our rights (granted by our creator" and then limits the government's ability to restrict our rights. It is a novel document that I believe should be spread around in some form to most of the dictatorships in the world. Freedom is the greatest!

    / end libertarian rant

  143. when I'm sixty-four by MacFury · · Score: 1
    hey aren't going to stop a 60 year old grandma out walking her dog to see if she stole some furniture.

    I can't wait till I'm 60, then I can go on a furniture stealing spree!

  144. Hmm Taxes by Kohath · · Score: 1

    It's interesting that so many people dislike this kind of intrusiveness, but they just love the fact that every year you're forced to give up a lot more information on your tax forms. I guess things are different when you benefit from them personally.

  145. or by metalhed77 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Or, he could first try and talk to the people involved. Figure out what's going on. If you read the story it seems that mr. hiibel did nothing wrong. Even if they had enough prior evidence to arrest mr. hiibel they are extremely difficult to deal with. He repeatedly asks them what he's being arrested for with and is repeatedly given the run around. I find it disturbing that the cops just walk up and handcuff him and his daughter for excercising their rights. At the very least they could have spoken to him (without obtaining his ID) and his daughter and sorted out the situation. This is a case of sloppy policework and power hungry or impatient officers.

    --
    Photos.
    1. Re:or by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thank you.....Mod this one up to 6! On the money.

    2. Re:or by dave420-2 · · Score: 1
      The cop was demonstrating poor police skills. He was looking for the easy way out. If Mr Hiibel had produced his ID, the cop would have been saved a lot of investigative work. Unfortunately for Officer Lazyass, it backfired when his zealotry got the better of him, and he arrested someone for not wanting to obey a ridiculously uncalled-for request.

      If the cop had asked the right questions about what he could see in front of him (which, as it is in public, is public knowledge), he wouldn't have had to ask for anyone's ID at all, and saved the tax payer the hundreds of thousands of dollars this is going to cost to get through the courts.

  146. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by RodgerDodger · · Score: 3, Insightful

    No one sees the COPS footage were the innocent person was abused, found to be innocent, and then let go -- that would not make good TV.


    Actually, it'd make excellent TV, but not for COPS, which depends on keeping good relations with law enforcement agencies to be able to keep making shows.
    --
    "Software is too expensive to build cheaply"
  147. Violates my 'persuite of hapiness' by slurpburp · · Score: 1, Interesting

    My first year of college, the room I was renting didn't have a kitchen, microwave, etc. As a result, I often walked across campus to use the UC's microwave. Often this happened after dark, and I was getting my ID run by UPD 2-3 times a month. This didn't seem like that big a deal at first, but by the end of the semester it had gotten to be a very time conuming hassle. I'm an average, mostly law abiding citizen, and i don't think I should have to put up with this sort of thing. I think that if more people would have had a similiar experience, they would take civil rights more seriouly. Unfortunately, most people assume that an officer wouldn't be asking for ID in the first place if the perp wasn't guilty of something...

  148. Sure. by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    Don't worry, that whole puberty thing will be over before you know it.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
  149. Reminds me of "In the Heat of the Night" by Esion+Modnar · · Score: 1
    (the series, that is)

    One of the deputies (Bubba?) goes to arrest a guy, who then resists, saying "Why you arresting me?"

    Bubba replies, "For resisting arrest!"

    Of course, it's not quite the same thing, but WTF.

    --

    They say the first thing to go is your penis. Well, it's either that or your brain. I forget which...
  150. Re:Republicans 5-4 by boobsea · · Score: 1

    Of couse. I hate both parties, but it did get plenty of Democrat support in Congress too. It was a bi-partisan bill.

  151. Re:Republicans 5-4 by Xenographic · · Score: 1

    There are several independents in the middle of the Supreme Court who can swing either way.

    They cannot properly be very well aligned with either party in my oppinion. That is, their oppinions do not necessarily align with those of whichever political party they might belong to, if any.

    They don't all always let their political leanings affect their judgement, anyhow. There's an ideal (which is certainly not always adhered to) which says that they are not supposed to consider their own personal feelings or political beliefs, but only that which is considered to be proper jurisprudence....

  152. mod parent DOWN!!!!1 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I was trolling, yo!!!

  153. Where it all leads by phr1 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    "It was after the catastrophe, when they shot the President and machine-gunned the Congress and the army declared a state of emergency. They blamed it on the Islamic fanatics at the time... That was when they suspended the Constitution. They said it would be temporary. There wasn't even any rioting in the streets. People stayed home at night, watching television, looking for some direction. There wasn't even an enemy you could put your finger on...

    Things continued in that state of suspended animation for weeks, although some things did happen. Newspapers were censored and some were closed down, for security reasons they said. The roadblocks began to appear, and Identipasses. Everyone approved of that, since it was obvious you couldn't be too careful."

    --Margaret Atwood
    The Handmaid's Tale

    1. Re:Where it all leads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's not the way things work in the US, nor are they likely to either even if the real-life Islamist fanatics succeed in killing more of Congress with a plane, or maybe nuke Washinton. There is a line of succession for the Presidency that makes it difficult at best to take out everyone. The Governors can typically appoint temporary representatives to Congress. The Army doesn't have any large force near Washington DC. The major military unit that could control Washington DC is the National Guard, which is very much comprised of citizen soldiers and under civilian control. The entire armed forces of the United States are too small by far to enact martial law even if they wanted to do so. More than half of the total armed forces are controlled by the governors of the states in the form of the National Guard. A large portion of the regular armed forces is out of the country at any given time making the National Guard the most powerful combat force on the continent. The Governors would raise hell if the Army tried to tell them what to do. Congress is working on legislation for emergency, speedy elections in the event of mass casualties in Congress. The scenario suggested is nonsense.

      Although The Handmaid's Tale is often called Science Fiction, I think it is closer to the truth to refer to it as fantasy. More specifically it is a wacko leftist fantasy regarding a bogeyman version of a "Christian right" that doesn't exist in any meaningful way. (There might be a handful of people out there whose beliefs are so far removed from orthodox Christian belief that they could want a society like that, but good grief, even the Libertarians have to outnumber them by at least 200:1. Is anyone worried about a Libertarian takeover? How about Muppet fascism? )

    2. Re:Where it all leads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Slashdot really needs a "-1, Scary" moderation option.

    3. Re:Where it all leads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't you mean "+1, Scary"?

    4. Re:Where it all leads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      The parent AC is right. It is -1 scary, as in "Not only is this bad, it is scary that anyone actually believes the rubbish in that book." The subject post is heading in the direction of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Holocaust deniers and extreme racists.

  154. Happened to me too.... by Schwartzboy · · Score: 1

    So I'm walking home from my high school, which is less than a mile's worth of walking. It was about 8 PM in a small town in the Midwest, and the cop/me conversation went kind of the same way yours did. Lots of spotlight shining, then a second cop walks up and asks the same questions that the first cop did. Lots of running their hands along the utility belt and holster area. Finally, they revealed that two guys about 6 feet tall in dark clothing had been reported breaking into cars, hence their reason for stopping me.
    I was about 5'6 at the time, if that, and wearing a white t-shirt and these silly light-colored jeans. Before they let me go, after asking where I was headed ("home"), they asked for my name and my parents' names. I gave them my name & mentioned my parents as "Mayor and Mrs. $firstname $lastname" (which was true). I had no problem tattling to daddy when I got home, that's for sure. Small town politics rock. Dumb bastards.

    Couple of years later, I was in college but visiting a friend back home. We had been hanging out with these sluts (yes, Beavis, sluts are like, cool and stuff) and we were driving one of them home in my buddy's car. It was pretty late at night, but we were all sober and my friend was driving at or slightly below the speed limit, because he's paranoid like that. He pulls over to park so the cop car that's been following us for several blocks can pass us by. Cop car pulls up, blocking the road, rolls down his window. Looks at us, spotlight-thingy shining right in our eyes. My friend rolls down the window, says "Can I help you?", and my friend responds quietly, politely, and very briefly to every question, offering no more information than the cop asks for. Cop never asked our names, but asked a lot of questions repeatedly, then drove off after he decided he'd hassled us enough.

    I don't look like a criminal. I look like a pitiful little harmless dork. I also looked like a kid, however, and my experience tells me that in a cop's mind kid = easily hassled = less real law enforcement gets done, because that's sometimes dangerous and we don't like it = profit!

    --
    "Linux doesn't exist. Everyone knows Linux is an unlicensed version of Unix"- Kieren O'Shaughnessy
    1. Re:Happened to me too.... by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      I don't look like a criminal.

      So, what exactly does a criminal look like? The mid-eighties DARE drug dealer? Long fingernails, greasy, stringy hair, trenchcoat, sickly skin?

    2. Re:Happened to me too.... by Schwartzboy · · Score: 1

      Actually, you're right. Now I think about it, I do look like a criminal...of the "cyber crime" variety. I don't really look like the type of person who would be doing anything, legally or illegally, that involves the outdoors or being away from a computer or anything like that. I think it's the monitor tan that gives it away.

      By some odd coincidence, you did just describe my seventh-grade science teacher and this transsexual I knew in college...

      --
      "Linux doesn't exist. Everyone knows Linux is an unlicensed version of Unix"- Kieren O'Shaughnessy
  155. Re:What is there to hide? by jpnews · · Score: 1

    "What everyone here seems to be missing is the fact that the officer was responding to a report (eg, some other citizen called the police)"

    Seriously. So what? Anyone can make a report. But there are people who are hired and trained to make the distinction of whether or not a crime has actually taken place, and we call them "the police." This is not a citizen's arrest, this is an arrest by an authorized agent of the state. It takes, or at least, it should take, more than a phone call to arrive at a determination of probable cause.

  156. It doesn't matter by daveschroeder · · Score: 0

    The officer was dispatched to the scene of a possible crime, a crime that may have been violent, because of a 911 call of a concerned party. Identifying persons/suspects/witnesses/etc involved in or near the area of a possible crime are critical to the investigative process. For example, this person could have had prior arrests for domestic violence (I'm not saying he was), lending further credence to the idea that it should be investigated further, especially since another person already called it in, and there was evidence that the vehicle was stopped in a sudden and aggressive manner (i.e., the skid marks leading off to the side of the road). All signs pointed to problems. Yes, families have arguments, etc., and generally I'm of the mind that it's no one elses business...but this was out in the open, and a concerned citizen called. Once the officer was there, "sirens a-wailin", as the article says, as if that's somehow a bad thing (how else should the officer have responded to a domestic violence call?), then what the hell should happen? Nothing? At the VERY LEAST he should be able to identify everyone involved before letting everyone go on their way. As the website repeatly insists, watch the video. You decide.

  157. Hold him to find his id and release, no fine! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If he fits the description, then hold him long enough to ID him (stand him in bright light infront of the victim/witness. If he has not commited a crime, and was not operating a motor vehicle (not yet a right) then he should be released with an appology and thanked for his time! Maybe given a latte or something.

  158. Not an ID by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

    A bith certificate declare that a person with a given name was born to parents of vertian names on a certian date at a certian hostpial and is endorsed by a doctor and a registrar. It does not proved other information such as picture or vital stastics to identify a person. Further, it is state issued, not federally issued. Finally, it's not a card or something you carry around.

    The reason it is proof of citizenship is because the siple act of being born here is enough to make you a citizen. That isn't true of all countries (France for example). It also isn't proof positive. You can be born in the US and later immigrate to another country. That doesn't invalidate your birth certificate, it is just a record of your birth.

    Other nations DO have national ID cards which ARE proof of citizenship. My Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is just that. It provides my name, vital stastics (picture and description) and postiviely identifies me as a citizen of Canada. Some countries go quite a bit farther with their national IDs.

  159. This exclusion seams even worse. by Felinoid · · Score: 1

    On one side we have the requirement to provide an ID any time a police officer requests it.
    On the other side we have someone requiring the exclusion for investigaters.

    So on one hand we have the police state where all people are identified.
    On the other hand we have a socity where the police are themselfs exempt from certen laws.
    And this is an improvment?

    I just wanted to point this out.
    Baby steps. If the defendent wins it opens the door to make law enforcment officers a privilaged class.
    If the prasicution wins it opens the door to demanding identification of anyone any time any place for any reason.

    --
    I don't actually exist.
  160. What do you expect by Phillup · · Score: 2, Funny

    Do you know how hard it is to wage class warfare without people catching on?

    And then... to have the indentured servants unable to work because of pot?

    That simply won't do... too much energy has been expended to create those wage slaves.

    --

    --Phillip

    Can you say BIRTH TAX
    1. Re:What do you expect by bonkedproducer · · Score: 1

      Should be modded INSIGHTFUL

      --
      Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society - M. Twain
  161. waste of time by segment · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For anyone who truly believes you have a fighting chance ... Sure you do, you're one of those 5% who has a shot in hell against winning a case against the government. Do your research. Too many people I notice have this notion of a great justice system, a place where your interests and liberties are protected, and in some cases they are, but to the average joe, you're bound to lose, and what happens when you lose, you either appeal or deal with it. The stats on appeals are similar where the gov has more than a 90% win ratio. So keep dreaming if you think it's as clear cut as walking in with proof. Think about that deeply for a second. Firstly you're going up against a gorilla with unlimited financial resources, secondly for those who don't know and have never been to a trial, it is scripted. What can be asked, what can't be asked. And if you're high profile... Shit the gov is going to do everything they can to "perp walk" all over your liberties and identity to make the public feel all warm and woozy about justice being done... Justice? For whom? For those in office seeking more government cheese (aka budgetary funds), to support them.

    I would continue on, but alas most people don't understand the politics behind the legal system. Just look at the Martha scam... In case you're too blind to know the truth, she's on trial for going on television and stating "I didn't do anything" nothing more. What does the media and DoJ do? They overhype it to look as if Martha is on the same level as the Enron, Tyco mobsters. Give me a break. Your best bet is to get over it, it happens (legal shaftings) much more than you think I know firsthand.

    1. Re:waste of time by JabberWokky · · Score: 2, Insightful
      I'm aware that you're talking about federal court, but since most cases don't take place there, I figure I'll toss out a good word for the Public Defenders and their staff. 80% of them (just about all the ones that handle cases) are damn fine attornies making lousy pay and defending people who can't afford it. And despite their clients often being guilty as hell (I worked IT there, I can say that they were), they get an amazingly large number set free or placed in a setting (often rehab) where they have a shot at a future.

      The other 20% are interns, recent law grads who are more spotty in their abilities and motivations, but still contribute.

      Good people, working for the legal system.

      --
      Evan

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
    2. Re:waste of time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I hate to break this to you but the reason the government wins so often is that the vast majority of the accused are guilty. I interned at the public dendender's office and it wasn't often (1/15) where the defendant wasn't at least technically guilty of the crime.

      The case against Martha is complete BS though. But anyone else notice that Martha (a Democratic party supporter) is charged with the very dubious crime of making misleading statements to her investors because she proclaimed her innocence while Kenny-boy (Bush's friend) gets away with creating a massively fraudulent series of financial transactions and corporate structures that robbed people of billions. Anyone noticed that Martha wasn't even charged with the underlying crime she is accused of misleading her investors about? Or that she isn't even a corporate insider that has fiduciary obligations not to trade on inside info since she's just an ordinary investor?

    3. Re:waste of time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We have a LEGAL system, not a JUSTICE system. Very different things! Been there, done that, had the t-shirt taken off my back...

    4. Re:waste of time by segment · · Score: 2, Insightful
      I didn't say everyone was innocent, I was pointing out stats for conviction rates. Now coming from "the hood" as some people would call it, I know offhand many people cop out rather than face a trial because a) their lawyers often advise it rather than go to trial b) don't understand or are fearful of the justice system. So while you can point out how many people are guilty, I would never dispute that, but there are unfortunately a lot of people who get caught up in a viscious cycle of junk justice.

      Now without getting into all sorts of detail, let's just say my confidence in the justice system ranks along with my confidence that enron simply made a mistake... Again I guess there are many people who believe the justice system could do no wrong, and that method of thinking is foul. Now if you claim you worked at a public defender's office you would know, or perhaps have heard of the tricks prosecutors use to win cases... You know threatening to imprison an entire family if the accused doesn't cop out, making their lives a miserable hell, etc., I'm sure you have, and again this type of information does not come out, it's a perception problem... The government would never do such a thing... Bullshit. Let's just say I know they do, but coming from me it would be conspiratorial.

    5. Re:waste of time by mnfats127 · · Score: 1

      In case you're too blind to know the truth, she's on trial for going on television and stating "I didn't do anything" nothing more. Um, I don't think so, if you read the indictment you would see on page 12 of the indictment that Stewart was interviewed by the SEC, FBI and USAO. Stewart made material false statements. U.S.C. Title 18 ch.47 Sec. 1001. - Statements or entries generally (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully - (1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact; (2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or (3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. So she did a bit more than say something on TV.

    6. Re:waste of time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      made false statements to whom? i would hope that law cited ment to did it to an authorized official in a preceeding not to the public on tv.

      by the way, most if not all defendents never get charged with purgery or makeing false statement in court if it is part of thier defense.only after they admit to lyingin the same procedding do they ever get charged. i know a guy who repetedly claimed he was somewere else at a certain time even after they showed video of him being somewere else at the same exact time. and they couldn't do anything about it.

      of course he was convicted and served his 6 months for asault and continues to claim he wasn't there and coulnd't have done it but purgery i think is a feleony were he got a misdemeaner.

    7. Re:waste of time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Martha didn't lie on TV, she lied to the FBI after doing something illegal. She probably would've gotten a slap on the wrist if she told the truth but the FBI doesn't like it much when they're lied to and they made an example out of her.

    8. Re:waste of time by mnfats127 · · Score: 1

      Did I not say she was interviewed by the SEC, FBI and USAO? That was when she made false statements. During an interview with lawenforcement and the US attorneys office is when she lied. And yes lying and/or perjury is generally a throw away charge because if you can prove that you can generally convict the person of the charge they are lying about, in this case insider trading. Perjury might be a felony but it generally doesn't get jail time. Chris Webber was convicted of lying to a federal grand jury recently.

  162. Stolen Ford Escorts by Latent+Heat · · Score: 1

    A lot of the COPS car chases involve stolen vehicle checks/pursuits. But tell me: aren't a lot of these stolen vehicles Ford Escorts and early-80's vintage Buick Century's. Do the criminals ever learn to steal such stuff? Do the cops ever learn to engage in high-speed chases to recover such junk (which the suspects wreck anyway along with the sargeant's patrol car)?

  163. These aren't the driods you're looking for by DaveBear · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why oh why couldn't he just have said with a wave of his hand, "You don't need to see his identification..."

  164. The police were CALLED by daveschroeder · · Score: 1

    The police officer was dispached because of a 911 call for a possible domestic violence situation. I'm not sure if that meets the muster for legal "probable cause" (maybe it does, I really don't know), but that's common sense probable cause right there. And yes, I'm aware that legal muster is what's important, not what I think is common sense. But apparently every court up to his state's supreme court agrees with me, so far. Identifying the parties involved, be they suspects, witnesses, or what have you is critical, and one of the first things done in an investigation of any type. And it was an investigation of a possible crime, not just some officer randomly harassing people for their "papers". What if the guy had past domestic violence arrests and/or convictions, and here's ANOTHER call to 911 claiming that someone witnessed he just hit his daughter? And it's well known that many domestic violence victims lie to cover for the aggressor, so the reliability of anything she says is automatically suspect (not saying that any of this was the case here, but it's all too common). Identification is one of the most basic elements of an investigation for numerous, and I hope obvious, reasons.

    1. Re:The police were CALLED by Gaewyn+L+Knight · · Score: 1
      But apparently every court up to his state's supreme court agrees with me, so far

      Umm sorry... but with that argument 90% of the cases that make it to the supreme court are worthless... because all the lower courts "agreed" does not mean it is correct.

      What if the guy had past domestic violence arrests and/or convictions, and here's ANOTHER call to 911 claiming that someone witnessed he just hit his daughter?

      This should only matter to a judge/jury IF the man is prosecuted for doing it again. Just because a person has done it before does NOT mean that you shouldn't do your detective work and just assume they did it again.

      And it's well known that many domestic violence victims lie to cover for the aggressor, so the reliability of anything she says is automatically suspect...

      If the victim lies for the agressor... tough... unless their are other witnesses you are not going to get a conviction based on the cop saying, "She won't talk but I know he did it". It's sad... but if someone won't stand up and say they were wronged and no one else saw enough to prosecute the agressor is (and should) get off scott free.
      --
      Telcos have alot of dark fibre in the States. Most people assume that's optical fibre...but it's actually moral fibre.
  165. Sometimes by The+Tyro · · Score: 2, Insightful

    talking works in the appropriate setting... but sometimes you need to get control of the situation quickly, particularly if there's potential violence involved.

    I vividly remember one dashboard camera video of a traffic stop that resulted in a huge shootout, but began as a young man standing up for "his rights." The driver is out of the vehicle and off to the side of the road, talking with the officer. He's repeatedly telling the officer that he doesn't want to be frisked, or placed in the police cruiser, because he doesn't want to be "violated like that." The officer was very polite, and tried to explain everything to the young man... but that's not the scary part. The scary part is that on the tape you can see the young man's brother still in the vehicle, out of view of the officer, putting on body armor, retrieving weapons... time is not always on your side.

    Conceptually it's similar to what we do with dynamic entries in SWAT; we move in rapidly, take total control, and overwhelm any resistance before they have a chance to think, plan, or regroup. I've not seen the video in this particular case, but I suspect the cop wanted to control as many variables as he could, and that means all parties involved, including the daughter. Additionally, the officer had no way of truly verifying their relationship... could have been pimp/prostitute, prostitute/john... even husband/wife. You'd be surprised how many wives of abusive husbands attack the cops, particularly when it becomes clear their old man is going to jail.

    There is such a thing as taking "stand by your man" too far.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:Sometimes by denisonbigred · · Score: 1

      Total Control

      If the situation really is threatening, such as a brother putting on body armor, fine, take total control, but this situation is far from a dynamic SWAT entry. If the officer had told him that he was investigating a report of Domestic Violence, then perhaps Mr. Hiibel should have given him his ID, but the police could have done things much more effectively than they did here.

      Also, while in your original post you say that the laws dont exist in order to hassle your average citizen, I have seen police do just that many times. Specifically, when I was in high school the police in my town were notorious for having nothing to do but hassle teenagers trying to have a party with some friends, regardless of whether or not there was any underage drinking or drug use. This happened to me twice at my house. Once, I was having some of my friends over on the beach at my house and somehow word got out that there were people there, so MANY MANY kids who I didnt know showed up. I had my mom call the police to have them come over and get the kids who were just hanging around on the side street to leave (we had closed the gate and locked it so that they couldnt come onto our property). Despite the fact that we specifically told them that we just wanted these kids gone, and the fact that there was no evidence of underage drinking (there was none) the police decided it would be best to come around the other side of the house and search EVERY PERSON THERE.

      Another time, I was having a party at my house and it was about 2 am. Magically a police officer appeared from the private beach at the back of my house. This time there were many kids drinking, but there is no possible way to see this happening from the nearewst public property (200 yards through trees) and there hadnt been any noise complaints (I asked). When I aked him why he was here the officer just got defensive and said we could do this the easy or hard way, so i said easy, agreed to pour out the beer (after hiding a keg) and he left. There is certainly something to be said for cooperating and defusing the situation (in this case I knew why the cop was there), but the fact remains that police cant just go where they want, whenthey want. No that Im 21 I TRY to get the police to come to my parties, just so that I can tell them to leave. Guess im a little bitter and my sig says it all.

      --

      "There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals."
    2. Re:Sometimes by gaijin99 · · Score: 1
      Conceptually it's similar to what we do with dynamic entries in SWAT; we move in rapidly, take total control, and overwhelm any resistance before they have a chance to think, plan, or regroup.
      And occasionally get the wrong address, kill a few innocent people, and never admit that you were wrong.

      "Dynamic entries", the fun PC way of saying "home assault", are probably one of the worst ideas we've ever had. You try that on the home of a rabid NRA member and he'll shoot before he even recognizes that the invaders are police. I realize that not many home assaults hit the wrong address, but how many does it take? I know the reasons why some police want to be able to use that power, and I'll admit freely that it can avoid situations leading to stand offs and so forth. Frankly, I'll take a few stand offs instead of a home assault on the wrong address.

      --
      "Mission Accomplished" -- George W. Bush May 1, 2003
    3. Re:Sometimes by John+Courtland · · Score: 1

      Not that I disagree with your entire statement, but a dynamic entry is more meant to scare the hell out of the occupants of the suspected house/building, and move fast enough to not give them time to think, than to kill anyone. In fact, killing someone during a raid is a huge problem. Not only do they now have one less person to garner information from, but they have to deal with the bad press.

      If a cop kills someone they are instantly suspended and an investigation is started (probably by internal affairs) however this part needs to really be open to public review. I mean, the cop just murdered someone and possibly the situation didn't warrant it and this will all be hidden from public view.

      --
      Slashdot is proof that Sturgeon's Law applies to mankind.
    4. Re:Sometimes by surprise_audit · · Score: 1
      I haven't watched the video, but according to the text, while one officer was dealing with Mr Hiibel, at least one other was preventing the daughter from exiting the truck. When she finally forced the door open, she was thrown face-down and had one officer kneel on her back while he and another handcuffed her. After she was cuffed, the original officer took time out to tak to her.

      So, where was the threat? With one officer keeping the truck door closed (and presumably in a position to see what was going on in the cab) and another standing by observing, the officer talking to Mr Hiibel should NOT have felt threatened. Three armed and alert police officers facing a rancher and his teenage daughter? If just one of them ran the registration before the confrontation, they would have known: a) that the truck wasn't reported stolen; and therefore: b) who was likely to be in it.

  166. Not charged with a crime? by mveloso · · Score: 4, Informative

    If some cop wants your ID, do you have to give it to them? As far as I know, the answer is "no." I suspect this is what the supremes are going to be talking about.

    If they want to arrest your ass, then they should arrest your ass. If they're not going to arrest your ass, then they should leave you well enough alone.

    Did you know that you can say "no" if the police ask you if they can do something? Probably not - and the cops will jump all over you if you do that. But it's your right not to consent to a search.

    1. Re:Not charged with a crime? by glk572 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Rember these words "officer am I under arrest, am I free to leave." usally the answer is no, get out of here.

      Here's how to keep from being arrested, cooperate with the cops, be polite, kiss ass, but give NO useful information, absoluteley nothing, tell as much of the truth as is harmless b.s. but no more.

      be nice, but make it clear that you don't have anything to say, and that you'd like to carry on with your buisness unless you're under arrest.

      rember johnny tight lips "who says I got a mother."

      --
      Well art is art isn't it, but then again water is water; and east is east; and west is west; and if you take cranberries
  167. What if the guy killed her? by craigarc · · Score: 1

    I just have to wonder how different this conversation would be if the guy was a wanted killer. Here an older guy is in an altercation with a woman, an officer asks who he is 11 times and gets no reply more helpfull than f**k-off. If the cop says ok... I don't want any trouble here... and backs away, gets in his car, and leaves, then the woman gets beaten to death; he would have heck to pay if it turned out the guy was a wanted killer. For that matter, even if the guy was not wanted, and he killed the woman the cop would rightly have been at least fired for not getting a complete story and knowing who to look for. I understand we are heading down the slope to the national number stamped on our foreheads, but honestly; lets get real here...

  168. FINALLY ON TOPIC! by Lord+Kano · · Score: 3, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, the police...um apparently operate the same way as those in Nevada.

    --
    "Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
  169. & some more advice by sdedeo · · Score: 1
    I can't resist adding additional comments on this thread.

    1. Read Juise's post above. Civil rights at this point in time is not about Thoreau-ish arguments about showing an ID nobody cares about. It matters, right now. Learn, be informed, join the ACLU.

    2. I like Thoreau, and also care about the Thoreau-ish arguments about showing an ID nobody cares about. I think it's an important thing to increase the "time penalty" police suffer for randomly asking people for ID.

    3. If you are going to do this sort of thing, expect your life to be more difficult. The police may decide that you are suspicious, and take you in for questioning. There is nothing you can do (I mean, what are you going to do? Throw a punch? Moron.) You may be fined. If you refuse to pay the fine, you may go to jail, or be "fined" by a lawyer who will try to defend you. Do not expect much sympathy from your town.

    4. Thus: only do this if you are willing to take the heat. Think carefully, and ahead of time, whether the particular issue you care about is important enough to get you in trouble for. If you decide to exercise the full extent of your rights, your life will not be easier in the short-run. To me, the freedom to walk alone on the beach, or in the city among my fellow citizens, without having to answer to any authority is very important, and it is something I am willing to go through a lot for; but I have thought about it. It helps me stay calm in the cases when I am challenged for doing it.

    --
    Protect your liberties. Donate to the ACLU
    1. Re:& some more advice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Civil disobedience means you have to be willing to go to jail for your disobedience. People forget this part. What patriotism really means is you are willing to sacrifice your life in defense of the fundamental rights for all. People forget this part too.

      For all the talk about patriot this, freedom that, how many people are really ready to give up everything, even face death, in order to defend the rights guaranteed by the Constitution?

    2. Re:& some more advice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd bet %99.99999 of our military forces would do just that.

  170. Uh. by Raven42rac · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Ok. Convenient that in the synopsis, K5 and /. left out the "we heard you guys were fighting". If a law enforcement officer suspects criminal activity, you should shift into "yes sir, no sir" mode, if you turn into Mr. Asshole, then they will put you on the ground and hogtie you. Would you people have us live in Anarchy? If this were a simple case of "let me see your papers" it would be different. RTFA, make your own conclusions, don't get fed this tripe. IIRC, when you are detained by a peace officer, you are under "custodial arrest", meaning you can't leave, but you are not under arrest either. Bottom line, cop thinks these two were beating each other up, told them so, then asked for ID, cowboy turns into cowboy from hell , cop puts him on ground and hogties him. Why the legal system would put up with this garbage is beyond my comprehension, when there is real corruption, like the Texas officers who made up evidence to put poor Black and Latino innocents in jail, then collected a percentage of the money based on the street value of the "drugs". That completely floored me when that came out. Read Here

    --
    I hate sigs.
    1. Re:Uh. by fishbowl · · Score: 5, Insightful

      >when you are detained by a peace officer, you are
      >under "custodial arrest", meaning you can't leave,
      >but you are not under arrest either.

      Do I have the right to remain silent, or don't I?

      Do I have the right to consult an attorney before answering any questions, or don't I?

      Do I have the right to keep any papers or belongings being inspected or taken away from me, without a duly executed warrant that specifies the items to be searched or taken from me, or don't I?

      I get the impression that you would tell me I don't have these rights.

      I don't draw a distinction between this corruption, and the supposed "real corruption" that you allude to. It's all the same, the camel's nose under the tent.

      If the police officer had a reason to detain or investigate the person in the story, that's an entirely separate matter from the question at hand. Was it the guy's responsibility to provide evidence against himself to the police? This starts with demanding papers. It didn't help or hurt the police investigation that the man chose not to surrender his papers. What will hurt, however, is the blatant violation of the rights of the accused, which appears to have begun well before he was actually accused of any crime at all.

      Suspects are presumed innocent. If probable cause exists to make an investigation, then the police should investigate. But the suspect is not required to provide whatever evidence the police would like to have. On the contrary, he is explicitly protected from being required to do so, it's one of the fundamental laws of the land, one of the most important rights afforded to Americans. It's one of the primary things that defines us as a free nation, and citizens who enjoy liberty.

      If you disagree, that's your right, but don't tread on mine just because you'd throw yours away.

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
    2. Re:Uh. by Raven42rac · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The subject did not even give the officer a chance to Mirandize him. If the subject in question were under arrest, he would be Mirandized on the spot, but the officer was on a fact-finding mission. Yes you do have your Miranda rights, and I would encourage you to use them, as I would in such a situation. I see no reason to do the officer's job for them. How is "heard you guys have been fighting" corruption? I love my rights and treasure them dearly, but you have to choose your battles carefully, or risk losing credibilty by presenting irrelevant cases. I am not treading on your rights, if an officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that you did something, you should have to identify yourself. I agree this could be abused by some of our more unscrupulous men in blue, but what is the alternative. Also, I do not make the laws, nor do I agree with all of them, and I also prefaced the statement you cited with "IIRC". Which was left out, either on purpose or by accident.

      --
      I hate sigs.
    3. Re:Uh. by psykocrime · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I am not treading on your rights, if an officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that you did something, you should have to identify yourself.

      Why? Either there's probably cause to make an arrest or there isn't. My identity doesn't matter.

      Besides, lost in all this is the fact that it simply cannot be justifiable to ask anybody, at any time, to produce identity documents... **because not everybody even HAS identity documents**

      As far as I know, there is no law that requires you to ever be issued any identification documents. You don't HAVE to get a drivers license, that's for sure. And I'm almost sure there's no law requiring you to tote around a birth certificate. At best, there might be some argument for everybody having a social security card, since I seem to recall hearing that SSN's are assigned at birth now. But I'd like to see the law that says you have to carry your social security card on your person at all times...

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    4. Re:Uh. by fishbowl · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      >How is "heard you guys have been fighting"
      >corruption?

      It's not. Use of force before making an accusation is. I'm sure at the root of this story there's alcohol use. Sometimes I wish they'd ban that like they banned marijuana. Then at least there'd be a level playing field...

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
    5. Re:Uh. by Raven42rac · · Score: 1

      You don't have to have identification papers, and the police officers don't have to let you go about your merry business in a timely fashion if you do not. Extortion it may be, but it is a hassle that can be avoided. There is no law that says you have to carry your ss (heh) card with you at all times. Also, probable cause can be gleaned from identity, say they suspect you of raping someone, and the run your name, and you have been convicted (not just arrested or accused) of rape, seems like probable cause now huh? Think of the other extreme, "he would have been caught if the officers had just run his name through the database".

      --
      I hate sigs.
    6. Re:Uh. by psykocrime · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Also, probable cause can be gleaned from identity, say they suspect you of raping someone, and the run your name, and you have been convicted (not just arrested or accused) of rape, seems like probable cause now huh?

      Does it really? Why? Anyway, if they suspect "you" of raping somebody, then they already know who "you" are, so asking for identification papers is a moot point.

      OTOH, if the rape victim can identify you by sight, and say "that guy, right there, he raped me" then that would obviously be probable cause, whether or not you had identity papers.

      Sorry, but none of that justifies the idea of a person being arrested simply for refusing to provide identification. As soon as we, as a nation, start accepting the idea that this is OK, you might as well attach a turbine to George Orwell's body, cause he'll be spinning fast enough to power all of NYC.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    7. Re:Uh. by dankjones · · Score: 1

      I understand the concept of "custodial arrest", but what some people don't seem to understand is that he is being CHARGED with a CRIME.

      Custodial arrest for not showing ID in that situation is reasonable, charging him with the crime of "Failure to obey an overlord" is not.

    8. Re:Uh. by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 1

      I'm sure at the root of this story there's alcohol use. Sometimes I wish they'd ban that like they banned marijuana.

      They already tried that once before. It didn't work out so well.

    9. Re:Uh. by indefinite · · Score: 2, Insightful
      I think what was meant here was that if you identify your self, the officer might get a reason to arrest you *after the identification*, where before the identification, he would be just suspicious of what you were doing.

      So the jist of it is that you would want to be protected from self-incrimination.

    10. Re:Uh. by indefinite · · Score: 1
      The only thing about choosing you battles is that the law is supposed to protect and give rights to even most despicable cases. What I'm saying is that even a case where someone is probably guilty of committing a crime deserves due process.

      The problem with making someone reveal their name/identity is that it violates the right to remain silent. This right, like it was elsewhere mentioned, extends to all stages of an investigation. (Remaining silent is of course an extension to the right to not self incriminate)

      So the officer might suspect something happened, but if there is no reasonable circumstance to support his hunch, then he's out of luck. The burden of proof has to be on the law enforcement and elaborating on anything you did or revealing who you are can and does provide circumstantial evidence.

      All throughout history people in power did trample on the rights of those not in power. It is not a case of possible abuse, but a case of imminent abuse of the most basic right we as a society hold sacred.

      You said that you hold your rights dear. Well most do. In fact most hold them so dear that we allow the chance of even horrible crime going unpunished to uphold them. There is no alternative.

    11. Re:Uh. by fishbowl · · Score: 1

      It didn't work THEN, because the idea of making a prison industry with a profit motivation, and the idea of expanding the police forces beyond the size and scope that was seen in the 1930s, didn't seem like a realistic alternative. Today, we have actually implemented the systems that were thought to be utterly impossible in the 1930s. Also, the government at the time was so weak that organized crime stood a real chance of overtaking control. Today, we'd respond to that as terrorism or insurrection.

      If your reasoning is that a schedule-I classification for alcohol is impossible because of the experiences of the 1930s, you might want to consider that a lot of things have changed since then, particularly in the area of law enforcement and the capacity of the penal system.

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
    12. Re:Uh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's NOT a moot point. It's evidence in your defense that the investigators really didn't know whether you were the person they wanted or not. That sort of detail might be a lot more important later, and you might be incriminating yourself if you volunteer any information at all.

      When refusing to identify yourself to the police, even though they have no reason to suspect you of anything (and there is no emergency situation that makes it reasonable), when that BECOMES the crime, we've taken a much bigger step into the totalitarian state than ANY OTHER STEP since we kicked out the colonial government, and yes, that includes the DMCA and the PATRIOT act. Those things are tame compared to the fundamental right of a person to not be forced to be the one to provide the evidence against him.

      I don't really think this goes as far as saying that your name isn't anyone else's business, but I definitely say the burden of proof of your identity, in a situation where you may be accused of a crime, is absolutely upon the accuser.
      ALL BURDEN OF PROOF is on the state, period, that is the alpha and the omega of this, and it begins
      with not having to provide papers to prove who you are, or who you are not, as it were.

      We haven't learned a damned thing even from recent history, and we deserve what we get.

    13. Re:Uh. by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 1

      Well, implementation details aside, we still have the whole constitutional issue.

      I used to go around rhetorically asking, "How come it took a constitutional amendment for prohibition of alcohol, but some federal agency can just 'decide' that marijuana is illegal?" Then a Catholic friend of mine pointed out that alcohol is a necessary part of his religion, which raises serious first amendment issues.

      Beyond that, I certainly hope you don't think that making mild-altering illegal actually improves society. You need something to keep the down-trodden in their place. ;-)

    14. Re:Uh. by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

      Yes, you do have all of those rights. And the officer has the right to protect himself.

      You refuse to identify yourself? Fine, that's legal. That's your right. But because you might be a psychotic murder, you'll sit down in cuffs until the cop figures out what's going on.

      Give him your ID, let him know that there's nothing going on, crack a joke with him, and you'll be off on your way.

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
    15. Re:Uh. by fishbowl · · Score: 1

      "Beyond that, I certainly hope you don't think that making mild-altering illegal actually improves society. You need something to keep the down-trodden in their place. ;-)"

      Not at all! I'm a marijuana legalization advocate, and I believe that alcohol prohibition would be the fastest catalyst toward that end. A ban on tobacco might do it as well. But banning alcohol in the US would pretty much trigger a full revolution. (They know it of course).

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
  171. you must carry ID at all times by yaj · · Score: 0


    Dude,
    That's why I have all my personal info
    stamped into the tinfoil I use for my pyramid hats...

    well, except for my slashdot password...

  172. Aah I love India! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    No national ID. Cops can beat the crap out of you if they lay hands on you, but you can also *run away* from them. Normal tom-dick-harry cops dont carry guns and your life is not in immediate danger. Infact this was a favourite passtime for several people I knew. There is a whole game that kids play that evolved from this concept of running away from a cop - its called "thief-police" kind of on the lines of "cowboys and Indians" minus the weapons. Its kinda kool if you can give a finger to a police and get away with it. them halfwits dont deserve any better either... americans are halfwits too.. why do you have to give guns to every police guy? give them batons and knuckle dusters and ask them to manage with that.

    1. Re:Aah I love India! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is a troll? you fucking kidding me? americans are nuts man.. a good american is a jobless one ... howwizzat?

  173. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you're still hung up about getting beat up that day for shitting your pants? man, what a head case!

  174. Probable Cause isn't required by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 3, Informative

    That's what you need for a warrent. For a stop or informal questioning, they just need reasonable suspicion. That, as the name imples, means they just need to see you do something that could reasonably cause them to suspect you have commited or will commit a crime. They don't need any evidence, they don't need to believe that you did, just reasonably suspect you did.

    Similar to the difference between trial and grand juries. A trial jury must find that the evidence shows you comitted a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Meaning that there is no reasonable alternative explanation for the facts. A grand jury just needs to find that there is legally sufficient evidence (the law mandidates minimums to go to trial) and reasonable cause to believe. Doesn't mean they have to think you did it, just that they could reasonably believe that you did.

    1. Re:Probable Cause isn't required by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 1

      [Probable cause is] what you need for a warrent [sic]. For a stop or informal questioning, they just need reasonable suspicion.

      But that's the thing: the issue here isn't that the cop questioned him; it's that he demanded the suspect surrender something in his possession.

      You want the contents of my wallet? Get a warrant.

    2. Re:Probable Cause isn't required by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

      He didn't demand surrender, just presentation. There is a large difference. For that matter (did you watch the video?) the cop just wanted his name, which the man was beligerant about giving.

      A cop asking for your ID is not asking you to surrender it. I've been asked for my ID on 3 ocassions, and in all cases I choose to give it, and in all occasions it was returned to me in less than 3 minutes.

      You do, by the way, have to tell the police who you are. In most jurisdictions you are not required to have ID on you (thankfully) since that would mean you'd be required to carry ID with you at all times you are out of your house. However you do have to give them your name if they ask.

    3. Re:Probable Cause isn't required by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 1

      He didn't demand surrender, just presentation. There is a large difference.

      Yes. The threshold between the two is crossed when the license leaves my hand. Last time I checked, we aren't even required to own an ID, so how can it be an arrestable offense not to show one?

      For that matter (did you watch the video?) the cop just wanted his name, which the man was beligerant about giving.

      What video were you watching? The officer said either "identification" or "ID" thirteen times by my count, and the word "name" a total of zero times. Besides which, the very first time the officer asked for ID, the suspect stated he didn't have any on him. Finally, whether he was belligerant is debatable. To me, it seems he did nothing more than demand the officer justify his order. I concede he was probably taunting the officer, daring him to arrest him; definitely not the route I'd take. But that alone doesn't give the officer grounds to arrest him.

      A cop asking for your ID is not asking you to surrender it.

      If the ID leaves my hand, I am surrendering it. There is no guarantee I'll get it back.

      I've been asked for my ID on 3 ocassions, and in all cases I choose to give it, and in all occasions it was returned to me in less than 3 minutes.

      First, I'm happy things worked out for you in your personal experience. Next, though, I must point out that you yourself used the word "choose" (I think you meant "chose," but it all comes out the same). If I choose not to hand over my ID, I should have that right.

      You do, by the way, have to tell the police who you are.

      I don't think so. Fortunately for us, that's the exact issue the Supreme Court is going to settle for us. From the Petition for Writ of Certiorari (PDF):

      QUESTION PRESENTED

      Do the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the United States constitution bar the state from compelling people to identify themselves during a police investigation when someone has been seized upon less than probable cause?

      I, for one, anxiously await the Court's decision.

  175. Wow, that's true by mveloso · · Score: 1

    And it's a pretty interesting statement, if you think about it. The forms of ID that I know about that are issued by the US government are:

    tax ID
    social security #
    passport
    military ID
    green card

    But citizenship is usually established by a state document, like a birth certificate. Natural US citizens have no real document proving that they're a US citizen. A birth certificate doesn't have a picture (and the picture wouldn't do much good anyway), and a drivers license doesn't have any real "citizenship" kinds of vibes.

    In fact, it's a combination of documents that shows citizenship. But no one document, except for maybe a passport, would prove you're a US citizen.

    Pretty neat.

    1. Re:Wow, that's true by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

      That's why many people advocate a national ID. It would be a universal form of identification and would also have information such as citizenship and residency.

      This is not an out of the ball park thing. Plenty of other free nations have a national ID. The one I know the most about, as I noted in another post, is Canada. I have a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship that is a national ID used to prove that indeed I am Candaian. It's actually not as used as some counties IDs, as it is mainly a document for proof of citizenship for things like passports, but still, it is a national ID that I am expected to have.

      I'm not saying that it is necessarly a bad thing that the US doesn't have a national ID, but it's not the draconian concept that some seem to think it is.

  176. MORON Re:devils advocate I disagree by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you are a moron.

    Cops have no rights you do not have. If you were to walk up to some chick and ask for her ID she will kick you in the sack and file a restraining order. You do not have to "prove" anything, the burden of proof is upon the State.

    Rights are guarenteed by the Constitution (the law of the land) not force of THE LAW. Let me introduce you to it and a section called the Bill of Rights.

    Amendment IV

    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

    Now, can a police officer come up to you and ask you for ID? Sure. Can you refruse? Yes. Can you refuse? Definatly. Does the officer have any right to make you prove your identity? No. Can he arrest you on probably cause? Sure will. Can he give you a hickory shampoo? Probably back at the station for being a smart ass smelly /. reader.

    You might want to read the Bill of Rights, since the none of them give a single right to a Police Force and infact restrict their powers greatly. Sadly they seem to work around them too often.

    1. Re:MORON Re:devils advocate I disagree by idamaybrown · · Score: 1

      "against unreasonable searches " The point is - what is the definition of unreasonable?

  177. Re:What is there to hide? by LauraScudder · · Score: 1

    I think the point is that a better response to the report was to maybe ask the daughter or the father what was going on, instead of requesting ID without either knowing what they were under suspicion for.

    As to the daughter trying to push her way past an officer, I think it was a huge overreaction to push her to the ground, cuff her and charge her with resisting arrest when most likely she could have been much more gently restrained.

    If a cop randomly asks me for ID and I don't know what he suspects me of, no way I'm giving it to him. I think it's entirely appropriate in this situation to demand to know why the officer needs to see ID.

  178. Not Off topic by Felinoid · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Sorry for being off topic, but I just felt like sharing.
    Quite the contrary. Your not the slightest bit off topic.
    Your story hilights whe happens when you give law enforcment officers complete disgression.

    Police harrasment, assult and battery by a law enforcment office, denial of your right to a lawer.

    --
    I don't actually exist.
  179. Welcome to Communism Folks by mikestro · · Score: 1

    Get used to it. It's not going to change anytime soon. The revolution is coming, though, and you WILL have to decide which side you are on. Be ready.

    1. Re:Welcome to Communism Folks by Bored+Huge+Krill · · Score: 2, Insightful
      um, no. This isn't communism. This has nothing whatever to do with communism.

      The word you're looking for is fascism

      Sorry to be a pedant

      Krill

  180. The Cato amicus brief says best what's wrong here by John+Gilmore · · Score: 5, Informative

    Cato Institute's amicus brief to the Supreme Court in Hiibel v. Nevada. They point out that even if the cops have a warrant, they not only can't make you answer questions, but they are required to warn you that you have a right to remain silent. You are free to be silent at every other stage of an investigation or prosecution, from casual conversation with cops all the way through sentencing.

    Cato also discovered that more than 20 states have laws like this on the books (it's in the appendix of their brief).

    You can read any or all of the briefs in the case (including my own, which goes into airport ID issues) at the EPIC web page on Hiibel.

  181. he's a cowboy right? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Don't cowboys just cap the crooked deputies and then ride into town to callenge the evil sherrif to a duel?

    What a wuss-- getting arrested.

  182. Re:What is there to hide? by delcielo · · Score: 1

    Agreed.

    The vast majority of cops, like the vast majority of most subgroups of society, are just doing their job and are not operating from some egomaniacal power-trip. There will be a few, as in any subgroup of society, who are just plain asses; but for the most part, the cop who pulls you over is just the guy who lives down the street, or that you went to school with.

    What keeps things from being friendly and all fuzzy is that the cop doesn't know who you are. The events in Detroit this week illustrate perfectly why cops are commanding and aggressive when they pull you over. For those who don't read the news, two cops in Detroit were killed when they stopped a man for a traffic violation. He apparently had other issues they didn't know about when they stopped him.

    So, as a cop who is conscious of these things, I think I would probably be just as commanding and aggressive as this cop was with somebody who is a possible domestic battery suspect. After all, more cops are injured and killed dealing with domestic battery than any other crime.

    The dumbass who just felt like arguing can take his hurt feelings and go to hell. He has a reasonable expectation of safety in the presence of a cop. The cop, however, has no such expectation in the company of a potential suspect.

    --
    Hot Damn! It's the Soggy Bottom Boys!
  183. Concurring opinions are not precedent by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Although you may like to think so, only the majority opinion is covered by the principle of stare decisis. Concurring opinions are not covered, simply because they are the opinions of only one or two justices on the Supreme Court.

  184. Sure there is... by Kaki+Nix+Sain · · Score: 1
    ... a way for me to know if they have probable cause. And I'm sure you'll kick yourself for not thinking of something so simple... ready? They could tell me. Simple as "we stopped you because...", and I figure if they can't finish that simple sentence with a probably cause to suspect me of a crime then they have no reason to ask for my ID.

    Now if they just want to chat, they can be polite and introduce themselves like a civilized person. I'll likely respond in kind.

    Lots of cops get grief from people because lots of cops start out talking to people in "confront" mode.

    --

    (C) Kaki Sain, 2011. By reading this, you have illegally copied my property to your brain.

    1. Re:Sure there is... by Erwos · · Score: 1

      I did think of that, but dismissed it because I figured the average /.'er would then just argue that it's not probable cause.

      "Lots of cops get grief from people because lots of cops start out talking to people in "confront" mode."

      Lots of people get grief from cops because lots of people start out talking to cops in "confront" mode. I was only trying to say that we should just try to be a little more respectful to each other. It needn't start with the police.

      -Erwos

      --
      Plausible conjecture should not be misrepresented as proof positive.
    2. Re:Sure there is... by tftp · · Score: 1
      ...lots of people start out talking to cops in "confront" mode

      True, but it's the cops who are supposed to be professionals here.

      The cops are expected to face disturbed individuals, and they should be trained in defusing the confrontation. Unfortunately, too many cops enjoy the thrill. An analogy would be a doctor who loves to misdiagnose and mistreat his patients until they die, and *only then* he miraculously brings them back (because, for example, an open heart massage makes him feel good.)

  185. Unbelievable by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How can you honestly compare this to nazi germany, and the persecution of the jewish people? How can any of you here label these events as anything but what they are: A dumb hick refusing to cooperate with a peace officer.

    First and foremost, this police officer showed up in regards to a 911 call about a domestic dispute. As far as he knew, this man had been beating the snot out of the girl in the truck. But the conversation never even got that far. The stupid hick repeatedly asked if he was parked illegally (which was an aside; completely irrelevant to anything). The hick refused to produce ID, which in and of itself may or may not be illegal (I don't know/don't care, and for the purposes of this scenario this is irrelevant!). The point is, the man DID NOT COOPERATE. The hick continuously walked around even after the officer asked him to stand in one place. Peace officers have a right to their OWN safety, and having people break dancing during questioning doesn't help keep things calm. When he aswered the police officers questions with his own questions, he was obviously not in the spirit of letting the police do their work, which...some people in these threads keep forgetting: the poliece officer's ultimate goal was to determine the facts behind the domestic violence 911 call.

    IMO the officer kept his cool just fine. Rather than helping the officer get his facts, he basically told the officer that he had no right to be there, which is bull. The man asked to be arrested over and over, rather than staying on topic. The man dug his own grave when he answered the cop's last question, "Are you going to cooperate?" with a flat out "No."

    Fine, you don't want to cooperate? You admit you're not going to cooperate? Great, let's have a talk down at the station, k?

    Oh, I almost forgot. Nazi Germany? Please! The jewish people were an oppressed people - having to show identification papers were the VERY LEAST of their problems! Do you have to wear a star that says you're a country white boy? Do you have to suck gas when you take a shower? There is simply no comparison of the two.

    We have ID's for a reason. They identify who we are. Your ID's aren't for you, they're for everyone's benefit except yours. Don't like that? Move to Iran or Syria or Mongolia, where these kinds of gestappo methods haven't been implemented yet.

    1. Re:Unbelievable by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This post is the only reasonable one in this article. Everybody else is like "Oh my god, police state". Did anyone even read the article here? Silly question, I know, but please people at least consider the facts before reacting so emotionally.

  186. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by afidel · · Score: 1

    Which makes me wonder why someone hasn't done a large scale FOIA request on all the dashcam footage recorded of such incidents all the time. All they need is one person reporting such abuse and a request for the footage.

    --
    There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
  187. Police 'abused power' during demo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire /3502199.stm ..the police abuse their power all the time, whether it's over an id card or not: are your civil liberties at risk? or is it already too late?

  188. Unwritten Agreement when getting license/permit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    In Pensacola, FL, a 4 hour course was required before you could get a permit/license. Drug/Alcohol use were the primary topics of the course, but also mentioned was that it was an unwritten agreement (or something to that affect) that you need to carry your ID on you at all times, and present it when asked to.

    Checking to see if there is the same in other states (as well as if there is provided documentation in handbooks, etc) would be very beneficial.

    Personally, refusing to identify yourself is a rather silly thing to do, and creates an atagonistic relationship between the police & public (which is not how it is supposed to be).

  189. Land of the ... by SpeedyRich · · Score: 1

    free?

    --
    ## NB: Comment here
  190. RTF Web page, please. by Osty · · Score: 5, Informative

    The cop had probable suspicion to investigate the claim that Hiibel and his daughter had been fighting, but he:

    1. Never investigated the daughter's physical state to see if she had been battered (turns out, she hit her father, not the other way around ...)
    2. Never told Mr. Hiibel why he stopped to investigate
    3. Simply told Mr. Hiibel that he was "investigating an investigation" and asked for ID

    What does an ID give a cop in an investigation? Sure, if he has probable cause that something illegal happened, he'll need to ID the person, but that can wait until he's taken back to the station. Probable suspicion is not enough to arrest a person, or even ask for an ID.

    The best part? Mimi Hiibel, the daughter, was arrested on a charge of resisting arrest. When Mr. Hiibel asked the judge what charge she was being arrested for that she resisted, he dismissed the case.


    1. Re:RTF Web page, please. by mrwonton · · Score: 1
      "Yes, I don't like the idea that cops can ask for ID, but how the hell are they suppose to tell who's the suspect without ID?"

      How would Mr. Hiibel's ID have been useful in determining whether or not he was a suspect? There's no comments about the officer knowing ahead of time who he was looking for.

      "besides if you have nothing to worry about then what's the harm in giving them your ID?"

      Unfortunately it's opinions like that that get our civil liberties taken away from us to begin with. It's our right to not to have to show every swaggering cop our ID on a whim, and that attitude will give them precisely that ability. Granted, the policeman in this case had a reason for being there, but I'd say that few would say that he did a good job of it, as he failed to even ask Mimi Hiibel to see if she was alright.

      --
      Not more than you need, just more than you want
    2. Re:RTF Web page, please. by tftp · · Score: 1
      your driver's license isn't yours, it's the government's. If they want to revoke it they can and will

      Revoke it they can, if you can't drive safely; however, you are not obligated to show the license to anyone when you are not driving. You are not even required to have an ID with you. And a man who was standing outside of a vehicle (with someone else at the driver seat) does not look like a driver to me.

      The cop should not play 20 questions or anything like that. However he must explain himself. Imagine, you are standing at a street corner. Cops rush in, handcuff you and shove into their car. I bet you will scream "What have I done???" even before realizing it.

      The reason for that explanation is simple. People must talk to each other if they want cooperation. If the cop wants a reasonable action from the suspect, he must act reasonably himself. I am sure if the cop took his time and talked to the suspect, he would get all his questions answered. But the cop tried to bully the guy, and I guess cowboys really hate that...

    3. Re:RTF Web page, please. by QuickSilver_999 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Lets take this point by point:

      1. Never investigated the daughter's physical state to see if she had been battered (turns out, she hit her father, not the other way around ...)

      First you seperate them. This he did. Then you question them. This he attempted. Unfortunately, he was not able to leave the father due to his combative and aggressive state.

      2. Never told Mr. Hiibel why he stopped to investigate

      One of the first things said was there was a report of a fight between the two of them.

      3. Simply told Mr. Hiibel that he was "investigating an investigation" and asked for ID

      OK, looks like he got a little tongue tied, but he DID state why he was investigating earlier. Looks like he got a little tired of dealing with someone that should have been wearing a tinfoil hat.

      What does an ID give a cop in an investigation?

      Wants a warrants baby... Wants and warrants... First thing an officer does when he gets an ID is calls into the station, requesting a wants and warrants on the individual. He usually also does it on the vehicle registration as well to verify it hasn't been stolen. Had the stop turned up something like an arrest warrant, he would have immediately arrested him. Now, when someone isn't willing to give over an ID, this can cause a suspicion that MAYBE he's wanted for something more than a traffic summons, but you're right, it shouldn't greatly affect the over all picture.

      but that can wait until he's taken back to the station

      Sorry, but if this is MY stop, I want to know if I'm dealing with a multiple ax murderer BEFORE I try to put him in cuffs and into the back of my cruiser.

      The best part? Mimi Hiibel, the daughter, was arrested on a charge of resisting arrest. When Mr. Hiibel asked the judge what charge she was being arrested for that she resisted, he dismissed the case.

      You're right, that one was kinda stupid. I don't know the laws in Nevada, but here in PA they would have gotten her on SOMETHING. Perhaps "Assault on a police officer" when she slammed the door into him. THEN you get her for resisting arrest.

      The problem here was simply an officer responding to a domestic call (ie: Doing his duty), and getting worried and suspicious due to the actions of the accused.

      I've always found that if you act calm and composed with an officer of the law, they will usually treat you as a human being. If you immediately start pacing, swinging arms around, talk about being arrested, etc. you're usually going to end up on a ride downtown.

      --
      - No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades really cramps his style.
    4. Re:RTF Web page, please. by QuickSilver_999 · · Score: 1

      But the cop tried to bully the guy, and I guess cowboys really hate that...

      Back that up please? I watched the beginning of the clip (having problem with QuickTime), and read the transcript. The police officer did not appear to "bully" the individual. He merely said there was a report of a fight between the two people, and requested that he be shown some ID. I didn't catch any "bullying" there.

      --
      - No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades really cramps his style.
    5. Re:RTF Web page, please. by trg83 · · Score: 1

      I guess the fact that the U.S. doesn't require you to carry ID is enough reason why someone not driving is not required to produce it.

    6. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · · Score: 4, Insightful

      /sarcasm

      So I can just make an anonymous phone call to the effect of "I saw a guy with this description hit a girl with that description in a truck of another description" when some dumbfuck cuts me off, and when he, having done nothing of the sort, questions the situation he gets the shit beat out of him and his skank girlfriend gets cuffed and stuffed too?

      sweet. /!sarcasm

      --
      "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
    7. Re:RTF Web page, please. by QuickSilver_999 · · Score: 1

      And a simple I don't have one, or a simple I left it at home, or even a reasonably asked question, such as "Why do you want my ID? Am I a suspect in something?" would have laid that to rest very quickly.

      Regardless, I believe the case is that Nevada DOES require it. Simple enough. The state has a right to establish such in law, the federal government does not.

      I have no wants and warrants. I produce my ID when asked because it is often the quickest way to get around these issues. If I don't have it with me, I don't act in a belligerent or aggressive manner. I've never had a problem, even though I have been asked to produce it and not had it on me. Probably because I didn't act like an over testosterone'd ass.

      --
      - No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades really cramps his style.
    8. Re:RTF Web page, please. by tftp · · Score: 1
      There is another comment that says that only CA requires to carry the ID all the time. So either the poster is wrong, or it is legal in NV to just be, with or without papers.

      I also concluded that the cop was bullying the suspect because the cop did not explain his investigation, though it was definitely related to the people involved. Instead, the cop was relying on the power of law behind him. That is not even mentioning their less than gentleman's approach to the girl...

      Other posters suggested that rural cops (and citizens, as this case suggests) are not very well trained in delicate behavior. So what we have here is just two rough guys who refused to talk to each other, in their own ways. But one guy had a powerful weapon at his disposal - the power of law. The other had nothing. The problem here is abuse of that weapon. Bullying is just another word for it.

    9. Re:RTF Web page, please. by QuickSilver_999 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Thanks for the sarcasm tags.

      An anonymous phone call isn't much... and if you make it from the cell phone while driving, it's not that anonymous, since enhanced 911 tells me whose cell phone it is and where it was when the call was made.

      And yes, that may be precisely what may happen if he acts in a violent manner towards an officer. However, if he acts reasonably, he's most likely out nothing more than the time it took to pull over and talk to the cop. Unfortunately the cops have to investigate and take these things seriously, because the first time they don't, then everyone screams about how they're not doing their jobs.

      Police officer has to be one of the most thankless jobs around. These people take their lives in to their own hands with every traffic stop, every domestic abuse call, every bar fight, etc. If they act in any way to protect themselves and others they're considered Nazi's. If they don't, they're considered incompetent when someone dies on their watch. People waste their time by doing just the kind of trick you've described, and laugh about it. People treat them like dog crap all the time. And still they go out, put on a uniform and take a risk of getting shot. And often it's for 8 bucks an hour and no benefits.

      Do I respect all cops? No. There are several in my local precinct that I could definitely do without. There are a bunch on the street that are uptight overdeveloped steroid popping pricks. And they all get tarred with the same brush. But there's also the guy that dives in front of a moving train to save a suicider, breaking several ribs in the process, all for 8 bucks an hour and no medical insurance. Don't believe me? On that one I can even name a name.

      Now, when your GF/Wife/Mother/Sister/"domestic partner"/family friend/etc. has an abusive incident, and the cops don't do a damn thing about it, remember what has been posted here today, because incidents like this just cause more cops to look the other way. It's usually easier, and you don't have to testify in Washington DC.

      Oh, and I would DEFINITELY make that call from a payphone. False reports to law enforcement is a crime, at least here in Pennsylvania.

      --
      - No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades really cramps his style.
    10. Re:RTF Web page, please. by QuickSilver_999 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Thanks for the well thought out and polite reply. I was actually quite amazed to see such a thing on /.!

      I just didn't see this as bullying though. He told the person what was going on/why he stopped. He made a simple request. Instead of a simple answer, the suspect started acting in a (what appeared to me from the video) violent manner.

      As for the treatment of the female, remember how many officers are attacked, not by the person they're cuffing, but by the person that called in the domestic in the first place! Cops are taught at most academies to remember that the victim is NOT your friend. In many cases, the supposed victim will attack and injure or kill the police officer while he is in the process of arresting the suspect. It's human nature in a way. We may be mad, we may be scared, but if we see someone "hurting" one of our own, EVEN AT OUR OWN REQUEST, we often flip to the other side, protecting one of ours against "them."

      As for refusing to talk, you're right, the deputy probably could have handled things a bit better. I don't see that he was "abusing the weapon." however, because he continued to try to talk after the suspect had made it clear through body language and responses that he was not going to be civil about the situation. The only place that he really screwed up was by not asking for a name first. Getting on a name (whether first or last) basis with someone can really help difuse the situation.

      --
      - No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades really cramps his style.
    11. Re:RTF Web page, please. by jadavis · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Police officer has to be one of the most thankless jobs around. These people take their lives in to their own hands with every traffic stop, every domestic abuse call, every bar fight, etc.

      I agree. However, to become a cop you accept a higher level of responsibility. If you're a citizen, and you kill someone in self defense, there aren't any problems. If you're an officer, people immediately question whether deadly force was required, and whether the officer followed every procedure properly from the start, and whether the officer had neglected trainning that may have ended the situation peacefully.

      Is it a double standard? Yes, of course, as it should be. We are empowering these armed individuals, with our own tax dollars, to enforce the law against ourselves. They better follow procedure. They better be well trained and alert. We hold surgeons to a different standard because we need to trust them. When they violate that trust, that's a serious problem. Citizens can go about their lives normally and all we ask in a self defense case is "did they THINK their life was in danger and did they THINK that the only way to avoid it was to use deadly force?". That doesn't cut it with cops, sorry. People can make mistakes, surgeons and lawyers and cops CAN'T.

      These high law enforcement standards we hold are more valuable than the supposed reduced crime you might get from unaccountable officers.

      Oh, and nobody can waste an officer's time. They can only waste taxpayer money. The officer is being paid, so as far as he's concerened, he's working no matter how many delays he's faced with.

      Asking for ID should be perfectly legal and fine, just like it's legal to ask if you can search someone's house. But when they refuse, take a hike unless you've got probable cause. There better be some real CHARGES.

      --
      Social scientists are inspired by theories; scientists are humbled by facts.
    12. Re:RTF Web page, please. by instarx · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Wants a [sic] warrants baby... Wants and warrants
      Who the heck do you think you are, the Terminator?

      I've always found that if you act calm and composed with an officer of the law, they will usually treat you as a human being

      Of course what you really mean is if you do everything they say when they violate your rights and invade your privacy THEN they treat you politely while abusing your rights. What they are actually doing is treating you like the sheep you are. Note I am not condemning police in general - we are talking about those situations where citizens' rights get violated.

      Sorry, but if this is MY stop, I want to know if I'm dealing with a multiple ax murderer BEFORE I try to put him in cuffs and into the back of my cruiser.
      This is circular logic. If Mr. Hiibel hadn't refused to identify himself he would probably not have been handcuffed and thrown into the back of the police car. To state that another way - if the officer had not decided to violate Mr. Hiibel's rights there would have been no handcuffs or back seats.

      I haven't seen the video (slashdotted) but I have news for you - being a pain in the ass isn't a crime in this country. Being unhappy that you've been asked for your ID illegally is not a crime. Non-violent resistance to giving your name or ID (i.e. not "understanding" what the charge is, asking Why, and declining to produce ID) is NOT a crime in this country. However, if more people start thinking the way you do they soon will be.

    13. Re:RTF Web page, please. by kinbote · · Score: 0
      if this is MY stop, I want to know if I'm dealing with a multiple ax murderer BEFORE I try to put him in cuffs and into the back of my cruiser.

      Sorry, but patting him down for axes or other weapons is sufficient to protect you, and that is exactly what is allowed under a Terry stop.

      You may WANT to know all kinds of extraneous info beyond the presence of weapons, but your immediate safety does not require it. The Fourth Amendment stands.

    14. Re:RTF Web page, please. by iamhassi · · Score: 1
      " Imagine, you are standing at a street corner. Cops rush in, handcuff you and shove into their car. I bet you will scream "What have I done???" even before realizing it."

      I don't know where you've been but that happens all the time... in fact it even happened to me once.

      " If the cop wants a reasonable action from the suspect, he must act reasonably himself."

      Cops, reasonable? Now you're just asking too much!

      I believe police have way too much power and power corrupts absolutely, just watch the nightly news if you don't believe me, but this incident with the cowboy refusing to show his ID isn't a very good example of abuse of power. Requesting someone's ID, in my opinion, isn't a big deal. Police have better things to do then walk down the street and ask to see everyone's ID, but if you give them a reason to do so then I don't think it's unreasonable to let them check your ID.

      You want to fight something? How about stopping face-recognition software being used in public places to run a "ID check" on everyone without even their knowledge.

      --
      my karma will be here long after I'm gone
    15. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Sivaram_Velauthapill · · Score: 1

      And a simple I don't have one, or a simple I left it at home...

      Lying would get you in more trouble than anything. Unless you actually did not carry any ID, this could cause problems. This depends on the laws. Governments that use ID to identify people generally force people to carry them. If you don't carry it, it's jail/fine. Lying around it won't do anything. Of course, this is only in the case where the government legally requires you to carry IDs.

      Regardless, I believe the case is that Nevada DOES require it. Simple enough. The state has a right to establish such in law, the federal government does not.

      I don't think anyone is arguing whether the goverment has the right or not. In general, any government can do ANYTHING if they chose to. History is a very good at illustrating that. Therfore, the point is always whether a government--of any type--SHOULD do it.

      I have no wants and warrants. I produce my ID when asked because it is often the quickest way to get around these issues. If I don't have it with me, I don't act in a belligerent or aggressive manner. I've never had a problem, even though I have been asked to produce it and not had it on me. Probably because I didn't act like an over testosterone'd ass.

      That's irrelevant. Last time I checked, morality, ethics, and justice, are not based on people's personalities. Sure, it helps to be nice but the police--or for that matter anyone--should use that as a judgement against another. Whether someone is an "over testosterone'd ass" ;) or not, it doesn't matter.

      The fact that you have had no problem in the past, or whether you WANT the government to identify you, is just one stance. There are millions who support your view. I know many of them personally. In fact, I would argue that the majority of the population will easily succumb to any government desire, such as weakening liberties, with enough propaganda. Fortunately for me, there are also many who do not support your stance. Namely, people who do not believe the government should ID someone for seemingly whatever reason they cook up. This battle between security and liberty is nothing new. The battle has been going on for ages. As a matter of fact, this battle will be fought out in the open with millions against each other (not violently hopefully) in the near future. The path USA has taken on the "war" on terrorism will necessarily mean that there will be major conflicts between security and liberty in the near future. The Patriot Act is simply a first step. The second one, "Patriot Act II", is more in line with what I'm talking about (because Patriot Act I mostly deals with non-citizens).

      It's not just USA either. My own government (Canada) has been moving on that front as well. Senior government officials have proposed plans for everyone to carry ID tags. That plan was shot down so I'm not sure what happened (I doubt it died though...it's probably cooking in the background somewhere). Although, if I'm not mistaken, Canada did manage to pass a law which requires landed immigrants to carry ID at all times (actually, I can't remember if this went through parliament...I think it did).

      Sivaram Velauthapillai

      --
      Sivaram Velauthapillai
      Seeking the meaning of life... @slashdot of all places ;)
    16. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Belgand · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Of course what you really mean is if you do everything they say when they violate your rights and invade your privacy THEN they treat you politely while abusing your rights. What they are actually doing is treating you like the sheep you are. Note I am not condemning police in general - we are talking about those situations where citizens' rights get violated.

      No, not exactly. You simply tell them politely and reasonably that "No. I don't feel that you have a right to demand that and I'm not going to give it to you. I feel it would be a violation of my rights." Like you, the video is slashdotted for me as well, but there's very rarely any need to be anything but polite to an officer of the law. Most often they're simply doing their job or attemping to do it in the way they see best. Becoming abusive and difficult makes things hard on everyone and makes it seem much more like you're going to be a dick to them for no other reason than you hate cops. This is often enough to cause someone to suspect that you may be up to something. If nothing else a great deal of people will then be complete assholes to you in response. In this case, the cop has the authority and you are more likely than not going to end up getting fucked over a lot more than he will.
    17. Re:RTF Web page, please. by dave420-2 · · Score: 1
      I've always found that if you act calm and composed with an officer of the law, they will usually treat you as a human being.

      Hahahah! Seriously - that's hilarious. Ever been to LA? I was there at an anti-bush rally, and there was a freeper with a megaphone screaming into my ear, and the LAPD wouldn't do a thing about it, even when I pointed out the fact that this guy was committing assault right in front of their noses. They also had no idea about policing a crowd, and let different people walk in different areas, threatening people with arrest if they stood on the wrong street corner. I mean, seriously. The only way to get a cop to treat you like a person is to either be a cop, or a rich white guy. Everyone else is fucked.

    18. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Heh, I have lived in the USA for abotu a year, and one of the first things I was taught by the people there was that you NEVER EVER want to talk to a police officer. If you have to, do so, but stay out of their way whenever you can.

      Comming from a country where the average police officer is pretty helpfull (they are the people to ask when you lost your way and such), this appeared a bit strange to me.

      Not bothering with the advice initially, I tried talking to a state trooper, and the fact that I seemed interested in what his job was about was enough to threaten me with takign me 'downtown' for soem investigation..

      I have been to many other countries, including for example Jamaica, where police has a pretty bad name. There are few cases however where local police was less helpfull and more aggressive without any provocation then in the USA.

    19. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh, and nobody can waste an officer's time. They can only waste taxpayer money. The officer is being paid, so as far as he's concerened, he's working no matter how many delays he's faced with.

      You're assuming that an officer's time only has monetary value. That's nonsense. The numbers of police are limited; there might be other incidents occurring where crimes could have been punished or even prevented if that one officer hadn't been tied up trying to get a reasonable answer out of a paranoid idiot.

    20. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Haeleth · · Score: 1

      You want to fight something? How about stopping face-recognition software being used in public places to run a "ID check" on everyone without even their knowledge.

      What's new and bad about that? I'm sorry, but I simply don't understand why that should be considered a violation of anyone's rights.

      Think about it. Consider a small town with a local policeman who knows most of the residents. That policeman stands in the town square looking around him.

      OMG!!! HE'S USING FACE-RECOGNITION SOFTWARE TO RUN AN ID CHECK ON EVERYONE!!!

      How utterly evil that isn't.

    21. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 1
      I don't know the laws in Nevada, but here in PA they would have gotten her on SOMETHING. Perhaps "Assault on a police officer" when she slammed the door into him. THEN you get her for resisting arrest.

      Hmm... I guess what legally constitutes making an arrest is relevant here. In some countries, the act of trapping her in the car might well have been interpreted by a court as making an arrest itself. If that is the case here (I don't know, I'm not from the US) then that "assault" might have been interpreted as legitimately resisting a wrongful arrest, and the police officer would have been the one in trouble (and rightly so, IMNSHO).

      --
      If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
    22. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      "besides if you have nothing to worry about then what's the harm in giving them your ID?"

      Not having done anything wrong does in no way mean not having to worry about anything. If you really want to know why this ID stuff is a really really really bad idea, I suggest you go talk to people who lived under Nazi occupation, they can tell you a lot about why it is a very bad idea, regardless of what you did or didn't do.

    23. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Mycroft_VIII · · Score: 1

      Eh small difference here. First the human can think things through, second people actually can recognize people by thier faces most of the time (where i've heard that software has a rather high false positive and false negative rate, to high for it's intended use).
      Also that small town cop isn't gonna suddenly arest the town barber because at a certain angle a few lines on his kinda resemble OBL's.

      Mycroft

      --
      https://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4c3ed6600b6ea
    24. Re:RTF Web page, please. by xtheunknown · · Score: 1

      I absolutely understand Mr. Hiibel's behavior. There are many people in this country that are getting sick and tired of the police and their abuses. These days, you avoid interaction with the police for exactly this reason:

      You're right, that one was kinda stupid. I don't know the laws in Nevada, but here in PA they would have gotten her on SOMETHING. Perhaps "Assault on a police officer" when she slammed the door into him. THEN you get her for resisting arrest.

      This statement implies that the police are making up charges or at least stretching the truth to bring charges. The poor girl is screaming because of the treatment of her father, and you (as a police officer) would "get her" for assault because she opened the door? Very scary if that is what they do in Pennsylvania.

      I'm sure people have heard of cases where bystanders report abuse cases to the police and people's lives are ruined when nothing extraordinary was going on. I guess the policy is arrest first and ask questions later.

      Benjamin Franklin said "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." This case is all about that.

      In order to have the perception of safety, we surrender our rights. Pretty soon, we have no rights. If Mr. Hiibel loses in the USSC, it is giving the police carte blanche to violate our rights for pretty much any reason and refusing to give ID is, in fact, one of our (US) Constitutional rights. It's called the Fourth Amendment and I am personally kind of fond of it.

      --

      They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
    25. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      apparently you didn't watch the video, dipshit. it was obvious the cop was trying his best to be civil, whilst the cowboy was trying his best to be as belligerent as possible, literally begging to be taken to jail.

    26. Re:RTF Web page, please. by bonkedproducer · · Score: 1

      You're right, that one was kinda stupid. I don't know the laws in Nevada, but here in PA they would have gotten her on SOMETHING. Perhaps "Assault on a police officer" when she slammed the door into him. THEN you get her for resisting arrest.

      Yeah - this isn't an abuse of power - can she charge the officer with assault for slamming the door into her prior to her opening the door as he walked away? Watch the video again - the only person who got a door slammed into them was Mimi.

      You know I get less respect for officers everyday when I see this attitude of "Hey, I can do whatever I want, I'm a cop" BS. What happened to assuming innocence. Police these days are so militant - even when there is no need to be, that they bring on the hatred of bacon on their own.

      --
      Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society - M. Twain
    27. Re:RTF Web page, please. by lynx_user_abroad · · Score: 1
      I've always found that if you act calm and composed with an officer of the law, they will usually treat you as a human being.

      Excellent advice. I understand that was the tactic Jeffrey Dalhmer used to convinve the two cops to return the kid to him....so he could eat him.

      Cops usually hav a good feel for situations, but cops can make mistakes, too, and cops need to understand that. That's why even cops have certain rules they have to follow. What are those rules? That's the question the Supreme Court is being asked to answer.

      --

      The thing about things we don't know is we often don't know we don't know them.

    28. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've always found that if you act calm and composed with an officer of the law, they will usually treat you as a human being. If you immediately start pacing, swinging arms around, talk about being arrested, etc. you're usually going to end up on a ride downtown.

      When those schoolyard bullies grow up they become "peace officers". They get their kicks from having power over other people, of being in a position where everyone they encounter has to be a meek, boot licker less they be arrested by said "peace officer" as well as possibly beaten.

      It is perfectly legal for the officer to do pretty much whatever he wants with anyone he meets. Many people don't see anything wrong with this state of affairs because they are willing to blindly trust the judgement of these bullying idiots. That is, the average person assumes that if the police assaulted you or put you in jail, then you must have been doing something wrong.

      The police are "entrusted" with so much power in our society that I think it just makes people feel better to think that they are not like ordinary people. That they are not as flawed like ordinary people. That there is something special about them that makes them worthy of having such overwhelming power over other citizens.

    29. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you're a citizen, and you kill someone in self defense, there aren't any problems

      Try that in the People's Republic of San Francisco (or California for that matter).

    30. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The myth of a "free" USA is just that, a myth. As you have seen, the police here are just as bad if not worse than any country on this planet. Why? Because only the worst human beings apply for such jobs, people prone to violence, who enjoy hurting others any chance they get.

      A friend of mine lives in one of the few remaining Communist countries where you can still be jailed for criticizing the government. My friend was skeptical when I told him that in real life, the US is not any better. The cops are just as abusive of their power. There are far more laws now to protect the police than the citizens.

      Judgement of the cop is deemed to be nearly infallible, and is treated that way legally. Police testimony is not treated on equal footing as the testimony of an ordinary citizen (who could be lying).

      The truth is that countries are really not so different. The main difference is the people. In countries where the people are nicer and more civilized the police are as well (at least in comparison).

    31. Re:RTF Web page, please. by 0111+1110 · · Score: 1

      If Mr. Hiibel loses in the USSC, it is giving the police carte blanche to violate our rights for pretty much any reason and refusing to give ID is, in fact, one of our (US) Constitutional rights. It's called the Fourth Amendment and I am personally kind of fond of it.

      This is a good point. This case could actually make things worse, reassuring in the minds of all cops of their right to your ID (or anything else they want which may have been previously prohibited by that old, ignored, document, that greatest enemy of law enforcement). I have no doubt the already eroded right not to be searched will soon be abolished entirely. It's only a matter of time. More power to the police!! Hooray!!

      --
      Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
    32. Re:RTF Web page, please. by CreatureComfort · · Score: 1

      *sigh* I wish people would stop and think, research some facts, and then stop and think again.

      This oft repeated, yet completely baseless claim that police officers in the U.S. are some selfless, heroic individuals facing death on daily basis for a pittance salary to protect the safety and comfort of all of us un-appreciative citizens. In fact according to CDC statistics Public Safety isn't even in the top 10 when it comes to dangerous industries in the U.S. In fact in Texas a higher percentage of salespeople die on the job than Police Officers and/or Fire Fighters. Everyone of us in the U.S. is far more heroic and brave every time we get in a car and get out on the highway, where you are far more likely to be killed than an officer is in the line of duty. Especially since a large portion of the on the job fatalities of Police Officers results from driving in the exact same traffic that you are.

      As far as pay goes, at least in any metropolitan area, Police make pretty good money. I know that in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex most cities for the past four years have had 0-3% raises for city employees...except for Police, who have averaged 5-8% raises per year over that same time period. Negotiated and enforced by their incredibly stong unions. The average Police Officer in Texas, with benefits included, makes just over $33k annually. With Texas cost-of-living that is not a bad salary. Not enough to raise 4 kids on, but certainly enough for a couple, and in major metropolitan areas pay is considerably more.

      Additional compensations that they get are:
      1)massive ego and power trips,
      2)complete immunity from almost any traffic crime, on or off the job (I used to ride with the Police in my City, and numerous times saw officers let other officers off when they saw the badge in their wallet.),
      3)Access to some of the most comprehensive databases of information on everyone. And almost no oversight in who they look up or why,
      4)The extreme benefit of the doubt in public opinion, the eyes of other enforcement agencies, and the eyes of the courts when it comes to any suspicion of wrong doing.

      Just to name a few.

      Police Officers do perform a necessary service, however, so do garbage men, street pavers, sewer workers, electrical linemen, and a whole host of other jobs which don't have anywhere near the same prestige. Also the men who become Police Officers are not some small minority with the will and strength to sacrifice themselves, found after long hard searches. Every time there is an advertisement in our City that we are hiring, we get approximately 20 times more applications for the jobs than there are positions to fill. The last time (last month) we were hiring 6 positions and had 53 applications. This is unlike teachers, which the school district is desperate to find qualified people to fill vacancies for, who often have very similar dangerous situations to deal with, with none of the training, and no gun on thier hip, for essentially the same or lower salary.

      --
      "Unheard of means only it's undreamed of yet,
      Impossible means not yet done." ~~ Julia Ecklar
    33. Re:RTF Web page, please. by zero_offset · · Score: 1
      all for 8 bucks an hour and no medical insurance

      Bullshit. Where I live, the starting pay for a cop is about 20% higher than the local median income, and within 10 years a cop can be making six figures. Additionally, if a cop retires after 10 years they continue to draw 25% of their salary, and at 15 years it's 50%, and after 20 years it's 100%. A guy who lives four houses down from me is a retired cop after 20 years and he pulls in about $110K on retirement. This is in a county where the median income is about $30K.

      Our local police are probably better paid than some, maybe even than most, but nobody is hiring cops for a mere $16K salary.

      --

      Slashdot quality declines as the number of hot grits posts decreases. - Provolt's Law, Apr-09-2005

    34. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or more probably because you just got lucky.

    35. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      If you're a citizen, and you kill someone in self defense, there aren't any problems. If you're an officer, people immediately question whether deadly force was required, and whether the officer followed every procedure properly from the start, and whether the officer had neglected trainning that may have ended the situation peacefully.

      Um... no. If you're a citizen, you should expect to be arrested outright, and put in jail. You should expect the assailant's estate to sue you, and you should expect your DA to try and get you a life sentence. If you're a police officer, you've got other police to protect you, and a chief who is often more interested in politics (including running a 'good' force).

      Also, you seem to make a distinction between police and citizens, as though police are military. They are not, and you should not treat them as such. They are citizens we trust to investigate and arbitrate (to an extent) problems that occur. They are not a military force (even if they act like it at times).

    36. Re:RTF Web page, please. by the_mad_poster · · Score: 1

      I think I remember that you're the cop that's been responding, and I'm trying to base this from your perspective and mine as a regular citizen who values a certain level of privacy.

      The only issue I'm concerned about here is the guy refusing to produce id. If he was being violent or if he was actually resisting arrest, he needs to be charged with those crimes and identified. However, as I stated elsewhere - I will not provide my identification to anyone until they have first identified themself and given a perfectly valid reason for needing to know who I am. Emphasis because that's very important to me. If a cop just walks up to me and says "we're investigating such and such - show me your id", a few things come to mind (note that this is not based on the case, this is purely hypothetical):

      1. Do you think I'm involved? If so, why? (e.g. - I fit such and such description)
      2. Why didn't you even bother to ask me if I know anything about it?
      3. How is my name, address, etc. relevant to determining what happened?
      If these questions are answered in a satisfactory manner, I'll be happy to cooperate. However, if any one of those questions does not result in a good reason for knowing who I am, and I'm not even under the obligation to be CARRYING identification, much less showing it to anyone, you can rest assured I will not be providing it. I can tell you whatever I know about what happened without you knowing who I am.

      In this case, if the guy can be charged with something, go for it. THEN identify him. If he won't id himself willingly and you need to arrest him, you don't need to actually know who he is at that very moment to do so, do you?

      It's not a matter of whether this guy deserves to be arrested or not, it's whether people should be obligated to identify themselves to any public official or authority figure without a very good reason for doing so being given first. I know the cop stated what was being investigated before stumbling over his words (the "legitimacy" of some legal technicalities baffles me to no end, so this one-time stumble doesn't really concern me), but that doesn't really justify identifying the plaintiff at that point in time. He should have dug deeper to find out what was going on. If he needed to identify him after that because there was a reasonable suspicion that something illegal had happened, then I have no qualms and I doubt anyone else (excepting pscyho tinfoil peolpe) would either. The "warrant" argument doesn't really hold water either though. Are people automatically suspicious enough to justify a warrant search? I certianly don't think so. If I've been cruising along at 15 over, I broke the law already - go ahead and search for warrants on me. If I'm standing by a parked car smoking and someone has simply phoned in a relatively vague complaint, you damn well better not just automatically assume that's enough to do a warrant search on me. If the complaint is valid and I broke the law, go for it. Until then, too bad - I'll tell you who I am only if I feel like it.

      --
      Alito: A vote for Alito is a punch in the eye to put that bitch back in her place!
    37. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      in some rural areas they may be. although you are correct in metro areas or anyplace with a decent tax base they can make a dang good living! some other places though? There is a county here in Nebraska that the sheriff provides his own car and makes almost nothing..well 25% of the speeding ticket fines! Yup he works on commission!

      But back home in Seattle the cops make a decent to great living! And are some of the nicest people! And that is not sarcasm!

    38. Re:RTF Web page, please. by iamhassi · · Score: 1
      "What's new and bad about that? I'm sorry, but I simply don't understand why that should be considered a violation of anyone's rights."

      wow, that makes so much sense: ask someone who's acting weird for a ID and we're up in arms, but instantly check the ID of 100,000 people at a football game without their knowledge and it's "what's wrong with that?"

      It's suddenly become so clear...

      --
      my karma will be here long after I'm gone
    39. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Police officer has to be one of the most
      > thankless jobs around. These people take their
      > lives in to their own hands with every
      > traffic stop,

      Please, not that worn-out old line again. The fact is that the job of policeman doesn't even make it into the top ten list of most dangerous jobs.

    40. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      it can go another way as well...

      I was overly polite to an officer! He found that to be suspicious and rousted me but good!

    41. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      in general any time an office restricts your movements or by actions or body language makes it clear that you can not leave it is considered to be an "arrest".

      And you are spot on with the illegal detention.

    42. Re:RTF Web page, please. by mindstrm · · Score: 1

      Correct.

      The thing is, the guy basically asserted the same rights, though not as politely.. he was indeed passive-aggressive... and agitated.

      IT is true that being polite will get you further generally (as with ALL things)... but the thing is, not being polite to a cop is not a breach of the law, and you do not have less rights because of it.

    43. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      reread the fourth amendment.

      The state has NO right to ask you for your ID for the same reason that you give for them TO : how do they know? That would violate the fifth amendment as well...you know where you don't have to incriminate yourself?

      And the justification of if you have nothing to fear?

      Good lord man grow or buy backbone! That is twisting the act of standing up FOR your rights into an admission of guilt! Which does what? Obviates your rights entirely.

    44. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      actually.... since Federal law has established that you are NOT required to carry identity papers... and Federal law is the MINIMUM standard (a State can grant you more rights but never less)... Any State law that requires you TO carry ID is invalid.

      Now that does not cover a drivers license and being behind the wheel... of course you must have your operators permit with you (though many States allow a grace period to provide it)!

    45. Re:RTF Web page, please. by PoisOnouS · · Score: 1

      Part of your post leads me to believe you might, in fact, BE a PA police officer. You're absolutely right, they would have gotten her on something. Why? Because a great number of PA local and state officers are nothing more than jackbooted thugs, second only to New Orleans police in their levels of corruption and general lack of education.

      What really disgusts me is the fact that you imply that it would have been okay to get her for "SOMETHING." Reminds me of my days in the army. The MPs had a catch-all charge. "An act to the prejudice of good order and discipline." They used this when they had a score to settle with you, but couldn't charge you specifically with doing anything wrong.

      I'm no longer in the army. I'm not obligated to take abuse from an officer with the grammatical skills of a sixth grader for doing 7 mph over the speed limit. Furthermore, I expect the officer to be aware of state laws indicating that he has no case when using VASCAR unless I'm doing 10 mph over.

      So far, my record is 2 - 0 when I've challenged these mental midgets in court. I thoroughly enjoyed the looks on their faces when I laughed at them on the way out of court, too. What the laughter masked was the fact that I didn't feel like much of a winner. I had to take time off work for the court appearances and spend even more personal time preparing to defend myself.

      If a PA cop won't treat me like a human being for a minor traffic violation, how can I possibly expect to be treated fairly if the possible charge is more serious? In the eyes of many of our cops, you're guilty until proven innocent and they know they're unlikely to be held accountable unless there's a major outcry when they mess up.

    46. Re:RTF Web page, please. by stuartkahler · · Score: 1

      Oh, and nobody can waste an officer's time. They can only waste taxpayer money. The officer is being paid, so as far as he's concerened, he's working no matter how many delays he's faced with.
      You can at a traffic stop that you won't be arrested for. If the officer has to tell his supervisor that he spent 2 hours detaining someone while the K9 unit showed up and found nothing, he's going to have big problems. Everyone should do this. What do you think taxpayers would say when they have to bring in a dozen new k9 units that aren't producing any results?

    47. Re:RTF Web page, please. by rvega · · Score: 1

      Sorry, but if this is MY stop, I want to know if I'm dealing with a multiple ax murderer BEFORE I try to put him in cuffs and into the back of my cruiser.

      Well, as I hope the Supreme Court says, "No dice." Working within the letter of the law is one of the occupational hazards of being a police officer. "ax murderer"? I suppose you're using hyperbole, but I'll take it anyway: He clearly didn't have an ax, so... What would make him an ax murdered? His record on file back at the station? Ummm... Then what would he be doing involved in a supposed domestic dispute with his daughter on the side of the road? And since the cops are armed with guns, I can't see what difference his background would make anyway. It also seems that in cuffs in the back of your car is EXACTLY where you'd want him to be, and as soon as possible, if he gave any indication of violence.

      The police should not be allowed to perform random background checks, which is what this would have amounted to. Having this man's ID would have told them nothing that would have helped them do their jobs correctly. And their job here was to investigate a report of domestic violence and, I suppose, to diffuse any such situation that existed. These cops went way off on a tangent and, in my opinion, violated these people's civil rights.

    48. Re:RTF Web page, please. by rvega · · Score: 1

      but there's very rarely any need to be anything but polite to an officer of the law. Most often they're simply doing their job or attemping to do it in the way they see best.

      And when they're arrogant bullies like this one? Oh yeah, then you stand up for your rights and they violate them and your case goes to the Supreme Court!

      The Court isn't hearing a case about all the good police officers out there who do commendable work. They're hearing a case about this particular incident, which will set a precedent and draw the line that brings us closer to or holds us back a little longer from a police state where we have no rights at all. Don't pretend that a small step in the wrong direction doesn't mean anything.

    49. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Belgand · · Score: 1

      Yes, this is indeed an important case, but how much more solid would this case be if someone had reasonably and politely stated their rights? The refusal to present ID would still stand, but the position of the defendent would be improved and make the police look even more like some sort of Fascist bully (which, regardless of his intent, is sort of the point I think we're going for here).

      I think in this particular case we had an officer who likely had the best of intentions, but was not using the best of methods and was violating someone's rights. Then again, the video of this is slashdotted so he could just be an "arrogant [bully]", as there definitely are a fair share of them on the police forces of the world, just as in every other profession.

    50. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I take it you didn't like your last tune up?

    51. Re:RTF Web page, please. by hesiod · · Score: 2, Insightful

      > Police officer has to be one of the most thankless jobs around.

      For good reason. The only time people interact with them is when the cop decides he feels they might have done something wrong. Everyone knows cops are disliked before they become one, so they should damn well know what to expect.

      > These people take their lives in to their own hands with every traffic stop

      Bullshit. 90% of the Police force have never been in a truly dangerous situation (ie risk of losing their life), but act like it is whenever they pull someone over. I got pulled over for expired license plate tags (the details are extremely questionable, but we'll assume for now that I was 100% guilty of it). It's 4:00PM on an interstate, bright sunshine -- TWO police officers creep up to my car, both with their hands on their guns. One walks (very slowly) to my drivers-side door, while the other is trying to sneek a peek through my back, passenger window, assuming I have drugs or something -- what I have in my car is none of his fucking business. He was a dick about everything, even though I explained, rationally, the situation to him. He did not speak with a decent tone, he spoke down to me, assuming I was a dirty fucking criminal. What's the fucking point of that, if not intimidation?

      He was so rude & such an asshole, that had I not ripped up the ticket, I'd have found out who he was, where he lived, & egged his fucking pig house. :) (pig is meant to describe him personally, not cops -- most I have met are very nice people)

    52. Re:RTF Web page, please. by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > And a simple I don't have one [...] would have laid that to rest very quickly.

      Which is what he said... "I don't have it." Therefore, it should have been laid to rest.

    53. Re:RTF Web page, please. by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > Governments that use ID to identify people generally force people to carry them

      That is not the case in the U.S.

    54. Re:RTF Web page, please. by trg83 · · Score: 1

      "The state has a right to establish such in law, the federal government does not." Then, I guess the real question is whether the 4th Amendments reference to "papers" applies to ID, in which case, a state could make you carry ID, but still not take it without a warrant. Yes, I said a warrant. Although it is commonly believed that probable cause alone justifies a search, IT DOES NOT! The 4th Amendment is quite clear that probable cause is used as the evidence to obtain a warrant. So, IANAL, but I am very interested in the implications of the Bill of Rights.

    55. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Sivaram_Velauthapill · · Score: 1

      If governments identify people via ID, I don't know why they wouldn't force people to carry them. In such a case, you can go with what the original poster said: always say you don't have it.

      As a nitpick, I think USA DOES force people to carry ID (although it is under certain circumstances). For instance, if you are driving a car, aren't you forced to carry a driver's license? Last time I checked, driver's license is an ID--in fact, one of the most popular ID devices. Granted, this is only if you are driving so your point is correct for the most part.

      Sivaram Velauthapillai

      --
      Sivaram Velauthapillai
      Seeking the meaning of life... @slashdot of all places ;)
    56. Re:RTF Web page, please. by QuickSilver_999 · · Score: 1

      but nobody is hiring cops for a mere $16K salary.

      Wesleyville Boro, Erie County, PA. That is starting salary for a part time police officer (who usually works 60 hours a week since they don't have to pay benefits). With massive overtime this does add up, but I can get a job flipping burgers in the same town for $7/hr. Most of the communities around here are running about the same. Erie "City" pays a slightly higher wage. I think they start at $10/hr.

      --
      - No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades really cramps his style.
    57. Re:RTF Web page, please. by QuickSilver_999 · · Score: 1

      Actually, no, I'm not a police officer. I am however a bail agent, and have dealt with many people in all sorts of criminal situations. Yes, I have seen people railroaded because of a lousy cop. I can even point to a few. I have even urged several individuals to sue officers and judges who interfere with their right to bail. I've also seen a lot of very dedicated people get trashed because of a few bad apples.

      I have also seen officers wounded or in some rare cases killed because they didn't act suspicious. It is a very thin line. My major problem is the majority of people out there who immediately hear about something like this, and without even watching the video, automatically assume the police officer did some heinous act. Put your self in the officers' shoes for a moment. Take some of the training and learn what it's like to become paranoid. With the current makeup of the court system, it's hard to say which way this will go... It's even hard to say which way it SHOULD go. I'm just saying that it underscores something that many people in society seem to have forgotten. Politeness and respectability count.

      --
      - No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades really cramps his style.
    58. Re:RTF Web page, please. by PoisOnouS · · Score: 1

      Now you have said something we can both agree on. Courtesy, respectability and accountability go a long way on both sides. In my experience, the locals ( East Whiteland in particular ) are worse than state police, but I've had problems with both.

    59. Re:RTF Web page, please. by jadavis · · Score: 1

      I live there, and here's the rule:

      If you're poor you're a murderer, if you're rich it's self-defense.

      Just thought I'd clear that up.

      --
      Social scientists are inspired by theories; scientists are humbled by facts.
    60. Re:RTF Web page, please. by jadavis · · Score: 1

      Also, you seem to make a distinction between police and citizens, as though police are military. They are not, and you should not treat them as such. They are citizens we trust to investigate and arbitrate (to an extent) problems that occur. They are not a military force (even if they act like it at times).

      The only distinction that I intended to make is that officers are trained and trusted, and therefore held to a higher standard. I made an analogy to doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals who are also citizens, but held to a higher standard.

      --
      Social scientists are inspired by theories; scientists are humbled by facts.
    61. Re:RTF Web page, please. by jadavis · · Score: 1

      A society determines how much money it wants to allocate to law enforement. If you're worried about an insufficient police force, you pay more money for officers. I think it's a pretty clear money issue.

      Your argument seems to be that if they don't pay the money necessary to handle the delays that officers face, we could be faced with a larger problem and I agree. However, any way you look at it it's all on the taxpayers, and I don't feel sorry for the officer in a delay situation because he's still getting paid.

      --
      Social scientists are inspired by theories; scientists are humbled by facts.
    62. Re:RTF Web page, please. by zero_offset · · Score: 1

      Wow, and I thought I lived in a poor part of the country.

      --

      Slashdot quality declines as the number of hot grits posts decreases. - Provolt's Law, Apr-09-2005

    63. Re:RTF Web page, please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Speaking as a resident of Winnemucca:

      The boys in the God Squad (so named because they all attend the same church as the Sheriff) are either undertrained or completely untrained (as in, "I've been a deputy for five years and I've never been to the academy" untrained).

      The ranchers out here aren't inclined to take shit off anybody, wearing a badge or no. This is the sort of country where people who are TOO troublesome end up disappearing only to be found in the bottom of an abandoned mine a decade later.

      In that context, this came out rather amicably.

      I'm more disturbed by the fact that I've never read about this incident in the Humboldt Sun. Apparently the local paper's journalistic standards have slipped... more...

    64. Re:RTF Web page, please. by rvega · · Score: 1

      how much more solid would this case be if someone had reasonably and politely stated their rights?

      You're right, of course, but the integrity of our legal system is never tested by easy cases with everyone on their best behavior. It's the tricky stuff at the edges that shows whether you walk the walk or just talk the talk.

    65. Re:RTF Web page, please. by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > I think USA DOES force people to carry ID

      No, there is no US Identification. The U.S. cannot force the people to carry any ID since there is no official ID, and you can go your whole life without one, unless you want to drive. The individual states give Drivers' Licenses, and most "require" that you carry them with you, although no state I know of will cart you off to jail for not having it on you.
      If you are driving w/o one, they can look up your info & just give you a ticket -- the ticket will be rescinded if you show up to the DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) with your valid license within 7 days. Of course, this may vary from state to state.

  191. Former by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    I left my department a year ago.

    I hear what you're saying... but people are people, and have the same weaknesses, desires, and sore spots whether they wear a badge or not. (Note: I've read many of your posts, KFG, and personally think you're a valuable contributor to this forum... so much of this isn't aimed at you... don't take it the wrong way)

    Anyone who has ever dealt with the public has had one of those days: some jerk was rude to them, complained to their manager about something that wasn't their fault... basically treated them like human garbage. Cops get that on a regular, recurring basis... and only other cops seem to understand it. Is a cop really ineligible to receive common courtesy? I love the excuse that because a police officer was a little too authoritative with someone in the past, that now all cops are power-hungry jerks... change "cop" to "black" or "hispanic" and you have a bigot.

    Look at some of the posts in this thread... "the only good policeman is a dead policeman" (that one got removed)... "I hate punk-ass chumps who get jobs as cops"..."This is a case of sloppy policework and power hungry or impatient officers." If you give a cop an attitude like that on your next encounter, it'll be a self-fulfilling prophecy all the way.

    Cops need a little slack... they deal with antisocial punks all day long, and extending them some simple courtesy may be the first nice thing anyone's said to them all day (in fact, they'll probably wonder what you're up to, and react with suspicion). Cripes, you've had days like that... now imagine an entire career like that.

    Of course, look at the usual slashtrolls: "f*ck the police... they're all worthless, and they signed up for that"... yeah, so insightful... To all you trolls: after your job gets outsourced to India and you default on the rent, picture a cop saying the same thing to you as he evicts you from your apartment.

    Yes... how does that feel again?

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:Former by gaijin99 · · Score: 1
      Cops need a little slack... they deal with antisocial punks all day long, and extending them some simple courtesy may be the first nice thing anyone's said to them all day (in fact, they'll probably wonder what you're up to, and react with suspicion). Cripes, you've had days like that... now imagine an entire career like that.
      I've been unswirvingly curtious in my every dealing with the police, and honestly I've never really had bad dealings with the police. However they are power with a capital "P", and as such while I'm more than willing to be personally polite to them (always a good idea to be polite to the man with the gun) I am completely unwilling to allow that power to go unchecked. When they started putting cameras in police cars I was quite happy, and when they start putting cameras on shoulders (or built into badges, or into caps, or wherever) I'll be even happier. No one likes being monitored, but slack in any sense other than being polite I will not give at all. We cannot afford to trust people with power. There are other, much better, means of ensuring that power is not abused, trust is nothing more or less than a quick way to get screwed.

      I'll admit freely that some people are simply jerks, and I've always been amazed at how many people act like assholes towards cops. Not denying that at all. Personally I've always assumed it was a fear reaction, fear easily transmutes into anger. However being a jerk isn't a crime, and I do not want to live in a nation where the police can demand that any citizen identify themselves at any time. They worked that way in the Soviet Union, it wasn't a good idea then and it isn't a good idea now.

      --
      "Mission Accomplished" -- George W. Bush May 1, 2003
    2. Re:Former by kfg · · Score: 1

      I empathise with your position as a human being, and I've never had any particular problem with police officers in general and certainly don't think of them as pigs.

      I also really meant what I said in my previous post. A really good police officer ought to be one of the most respected people in society, far more so than mere presidents.

      Nor are all the troubles you face of your own making. You do not make policy or the law, and you are called upon to enforce laws that, in my opinion, bring your profession into disrespect.

      However, there is truth to the fact that service is entirely voluntary. The belligerant trolling is uncalled for, but the point must stand, as well as my own point that when you wear a badge you are the government and will be justifiably treated as such. In those places where the government is in disrespect you will be treated with disrespect. In places where it is not you will not.

      Personally I've never met a cop who didn't join the force explicitly because he/she wanted to one of the good guys, but the concept of good guy is a highly relative one.

      Your closing statement is troubling. It really doesn't help your position and is nonsequitor with regards to the issue. While I myself have been perfectly forthcoming in expressing my belief that working in the software industry is a sucker's game for many, many years, equating the job of a private citizen with that of a police officer is what brought me into this conversation in the first place.

      Personally I don't know how a software engineer who really understands his field could work for Oracle and sleep at night. His job is voluntary and I think he should leave it. If he does not I'm left in the position of thinking of him as unethical by my standards, or I have to conclude that he does not really understand his field.

      I can apply similar reasoning to police work.

      However, to equate the job of a private citizen with that of a law enforcment officer is a fallacy and thus troubling in an officer.

      Because you have a gun and certain authority to use it. The Oracle engineer does not. I can respectfully decline to participate in any releationship with the engineer. You can compell me, and do so in a manner that completely strips me of respect and human dignity.

      It makes a difference.

      KFG

    3. Re:Former by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

      Because you have a gun and certain authority to use it.

      Indeed, and thus my personal feeling that police officers should be held to a high standard, and washed out if they do not or cannot meet it. Nobody despises corrupt cops more than I do; I despise them the say way I despise anyone in a position of trust and authority who abuses their power and position to subjugate others, for whatever illegitimate personal end.

      However, my remarks were directed towards frank abuse of police officers (which they are required to take, and do so every day). My final statement was to make an analogy that some slashgeeks might be able to appreciate, to "see there from here" so to speak. If it came across any other way, I apologize for the confusion.

      I actually left my old department after a new chief made some radical changes, not all of which were good for officer safety. I expressed my reservations, and was rebuffed. Fortunately, being a volunteer, I had the luxury of leaving, so I promptly resigned and never looked back.

      That said, I'm slightly troubled myself by what appears to be moral relativist rationalization for criminal behavior in your post. the concept of good guy is a highly relative one. is a curious statement. Police officers don't get much choice in what laws they enforce... they are oath-bound to enforce all of them equally, without regard for position or rank... anything less will get you fired for dereliction. Justice is supposed to be blind, and nobody is theoretically above the law. However, there is occasionaly a crack in that reality. I know officers who don't have a problem with someone smoking the occasional joint in their home... they just pretend they don't notice the odor when they're standing in the doorway.

      For laws that are plainly unconstitutional or blatantly deprive citizens of their basic freedoms, most cops I know would have nothing to do with enforcing anything of that sort. As an example, gun control/confiscation came up among a bunch of cops I was eating lunch with... the concensus was that we'd hand in our badges before we'd take part in any gun confiscation scheme. You might be surprised to find that goes for most of the cops I know, but that's a blatant constitutional assault... you'd find the field much thinner if we were talking about IP laws, or drug legalization.

      We're a nation of laws... and until such time as they are changed, those laws must rule... the answer is to change the law. Unless circumstances were truly dire, I would never ask tens of thousands of blue-collar cops with families to feed to sacrifice their careers, strictly to make some kind of political point. Cops don't make the law, and blaming cops for it is misplacing that blame... it's simply shooting the messenger.

      --
      Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    4. Re:Former by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 1

      That said, I'm slightly troubled myself by what appears to be moral relativist rationalization for criminal behavior in your post. "the concept of good guy is a highly relative one." is a curious statement. Police officers don't get much choice in what laws they enforce... they are oath-bound to enforce all of them equally, without regard for position or rank...

      It makes more sense if you take KFG's whole sentence:

      Personally I've never met a cop who didn't join the force explicitly because he/she wanted to one of the good guys, but the concept of good guy is a highly relative one.

      My friend joined the SFPD because he wanted to put rapists in jail. He left the SFPD because he found out that the best he might ever get is to beat them senseless. Hopefully, we can both agree that the first option is "good guy" and the second option is not.

      There were people in his department that would also consider themselves the "good guy" when they beat the rapist senseless. The concept of a "good guy" is thus relative. That's a dangerous thing about cops. My friend could see himself changing his mind on the subject. That's a very dangerous thing about cops. The time they spend on the job dealing with criminals that they cannot put in jail is caustic to their emotional well being. It will lead them to consider people criminals when they are not. As I said to you elsewhere, it is a slippery slope from dividing people into "regular citizens" and "scofflaws" all the way down to the bottom. Many cops that were initially well-intentioned may eventually come to do horrible things. Dunno if that's exactly what KFG was trying to say, but...

      Also:

      Indeed, and thus my personal feeling that police officers should be held to a high standard, and washed out if they do not or cannot meet it.

      Well, that just doesn't happen here. 'Till that day, I'll distrust every cop I ever meet. I am highly skeptical that San Francisco's condition is unique. Why are people incensed to the point of creating Denver Copwatch? Where are all the stories here on slashdot of police abuses coming from? Do all those "scofflaws" really deserve to be in jail? This is a geek newsgroup. I realize we have black geeks present, but imagine what the response would be like if we were talking to a predominantly black audience!

      And, all that said, I couldn't blame the current situation on the actual police officers. The solution would have to be a political one. And I guarantee you, 99% of SFPD cops would hate it. But that's ok for them, because it'll never come.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    5. Re:Former by kfg · · Score: 1

      That said, I'm slightly troubled myself by what appears to be moral relativist rationalization for criminal behavior in your post. the concept of good guy is a highly relative one. is a curious statement.

      It might be a curious statement if it in any way resembled your charecterization of it. I neither expressed nor implied any criminal behaviour on the part of either police officers or private citizens, therefore it also cannot be a rationalization for criminal behaviour.

      Frankly I have no idea where you dredged that up from. It tends to support Mr. Dowd's claim that police officers, over time, learn to view everything through a veil of criminality.

      I might also point out that the law itself is morally relativistic. If I am a drill sargent and I go to a strip club and pinch a stripper's ass without her permission I have commited no legal offense. If I then go to a diner and pinch a waitresses ass without her permission I am guilty of a civil sexual harrassment. If I then return to base and a trainee asks me to pinch her ass and I comply I have commited a criminal sexual harrassment.

      The only difference between these three cases is the moral relativism of the situation.

      There is a similar moral relativism between the actions of a police officer and the actions of a private citizen. Police officers may do certain things forbiden to private citizens, and vice versa.

      One may also perform and be convicted of criminal acts and yet be guilty of no crime. The case in question here can serve as example. If Mr. H prevails in his appeal to the Supreme Court his conviction will be nullified because the law itself was improper. In fact things may suddenly turn around, as his civil rights will have been illegally violated.

      This is also a form of moral relativism.

      All crimes of intent are moral relativism as well.

      Police officers have certain scope in their behaviour. They are not robots. In the case in question the law allowed the officer to demand ID, it did not require it. Upon refusal the law allowed the officer to make arrest, it did not require it. The DA had wide disgression whether or not to prosecute, for what particular charge and to plea bargain that charge.

      It is actually a principle of law that not every crime need be prosecuted and that laws may be ignored wholesale by both the police and the courts. This is why there are so many archaic laws still formally on the books.

      This is also moral relativism that allows society as a whole, including police officers, to be "scofflaws."

      Juries routinely practice moral relativism in their verdicts. One of my lawyer friends even talks of the unofficial verdict of "guilty, but forgiven."

      This practice is codified in law.

      Trials themselves are often not about black letter law and finding of facts, but entirely revolve around issues of moral relativism, as per above examples and many others.

      There are even laws which one cannot know a priori one is breaking because a trial is the only test of legality.

      And if you arrest someone on such a charge do not be surprised if issues of moral relativism tend to make some members of the public not entirely sure if you're a good guy or not.

      KFG

    6. Re:Former by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Upon refusal the law allowed the officer to make arrest

      That is a matter very much open to doubt.

    7. Re:Former by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

      It might be a curious statement if it in any way resembled your charecterization of it. I neither expressed nor implied any criminal behaviour on the part of either police officers or private citizens, therefore it also cannot be a rationalization for criminal behaviour.

      Your statement absolutely came across that way, and is one of the most common rationalizations I hear for breaking the law. "the concept of a good guy is a highly relative one."... ergo the bad guy is not really a bad guy, he's just misunderstood because he has a different worldview of what's right and wrong.

      Now, on some issues I don't necessarily disagree, but society as a whole makes our laws based on current mores, and we must generally abide by them or face the consequences. Consenting adults may make their choices, and take whatever risks they're comfortable with... but they cannot then whine if society finds them worthy of sanction for said behavior. The answer is to change the law, form your own society, or pay-your-money-and-take-your-chances. Laws evolve, generally as society evolves.

      I might also point out that the law itself is morally relativistic. If I am a drill sargent and I go to a strip club and pinch a stripper's ass without her permission I have commited no legal offense. If I then go to a diner and pinch a waitresses ass without her permission I am guilty of a civil sexual harrassment. If I then return to base and a trainee asks me to pinch her ass and I comply I have commited a criminal sexual harrassment.

      Actually, you have multiple possible offenses in the above paragraph, depending on local ordinance. In your first two examples, you could be charged with simple assault, or some form of sexual imposition. The crimes in the last scenario might be fraternization, conduct unbecoming, inappropriate touching of a subordinate, etc, and the penalties for the latter scenario are more severe, because of roles and circumstances. As a military superior, he is abusing his position of power and authority, and thus is due a greater sanction. I don't see any moral relativism there... the circumstances are not at all comparable.

      Police officers have certain scope in their behaviour. They are not robots. In the case in question the law allowed the officer to demand ID, it did not require it. Upon refusal the law allowed the officer to make arrest, it did not require it. The DA had wide disgression whether or not to prosecute, for what particular charge and to plea bargain that charge.

      The concept you seem to be talking around is officer discretion... the officer's option of whether to arrest, or ignore, based on his judgement. Interestingly, that's an area of significant debate among cops; should officer discretion really exist, or do you use a set yardstick? Would you give your mother a pass when committing the same offense for which you'd skin another person? If you do, that's nepotism, favoritism... whatever you want to call it. Discretion is very much double-edged... and here's the problem with discretion: discretion is where an officer's biases come out... it opens the door to selective enforcement... for good or for bad. Now, discretion can work, and here's a properly applied example: An officer pulls over a young woman, who's crying and tearful, sobs that she's late for work, begs you not to give her a ticket ("my dad will kill me") states she'll never do it again... a lot of officers would NOT give that young woman a ticket. Why? It's not necessarily because they feel sorry for her... it's because their goal is to enforce the law; ie. slow her down and make her less likely to speed in the future. If the officer feels he has already accomplished that goal, there's no need for a citation.

      --
      Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
  192. anti-war protesters detained on a coach by police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire /3503855.stm

    our rights to 'freedom' disappeared a long time ago

  193. insightful my ass. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is bogus.. Most bust are made on spec. That is they stop you over THEN see if you are criminal. In my book that is harrasment. Unless I am driving they don't get an ID. You are talkng about a police state. Not where I want to live. THe US has a larger percentage of it's citizens locked up than any other Demoracy. You are one of the assholes who will believe the cops made up stories first and by default. Guess what cops LIE to get convitions so we really need to give them another tool. Grow up.

    1. Re:insightful my ass. by Whyte · · Score: 1

      Instead of just hating police officers out of turn, why don't you research your opinion and present the problems as you see them to your city counsel? They will listen, especially if you do your research. Or better yet, become a policeman and do the job better than the current officers.

      We need good police officers and if you are able to develop that ability to see and treat people as individuals you would probably make an effective policeman yourself. However, it sounds like you don't view police officers as individuals though, so you might have a problem in this reguard.

      --
      -- No matter how great your triumphs or how tragic your defeats, approximately one billion Chinese couldn't care less.
    2. Re:insightful my ass. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or better yet, become a policeman and do the job better than the current officers.

      No, I'd rather protect the rights of the accused, thank you. There are enough jackbooted fascist thugs with guns out there already. What we really need is more PDs or court appointed defense attorneys.

      We need good police officers and if you are able to develop that ability to see and treat people as individuals you would probably make an effective policeman yourself.

      I agree. Unfortunately, it seems that mostly we hire steroid-injected sadists who groove on power.

      However, it sounds like you don't view police officers as individuals though, so you might have a problem in this reguard.

      When cops start to view the accused as individuals, I'll start to view them as something other than fascist sadists.

    3. Re:insightful my ass. by 0111+1110 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Instead of hating [the Gestapo] out of turn, why don't you research your opinion and present the problems as you see them to the local [SS/GPU/NKVD/KGB offices]? They will listen, especially if you do your research. OR better yet, become an [SS officer] and do the job better than the current [SS officers].

      We need good [SS officers], and if you are able to develop that ability to see and treat [potential perps] as individuals you would probably make an effective [SS officer] yourself. However, it sounds like you don't view the [SS officers] as individuals though, so you might have a problem in this redguard.

      --
      Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
  194. There is a National ID Card - Social Security Card by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It has a number that is unique to you. It's no photo ID and is not signed, but it is a national one.

  195. As a former seattleite, may I ask... by RLiegh · · Score: 1

    WTF are you on about? Do you have any links to back up your assertions that [the police] here in Seattle kill people all the time and get away with it"? Any (non-indymedia, thanks) links?
    I certainly hope you aren't making the argument "well, I mean they kill people in the line of duty but but but that proves they could get away with it" --that would just be lame.

  196. I guess some would say I'm... by DerProfi · · Score: 1

    privileged because in the process of attending public school I learned both to spell and to gather important pieces of information during the process of reading, such as the fact that Hibbel hadn't been driving the vehicle. Must be that thick skull of mine--so airtight that once information goes in it never leaks back out.

    --

    3000+ comments meta-modded. 0 mod points awarded.
    Lesson for other meta-suckers: Don't believe the hype!
  197. Burden of proof by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · · Score: 1

    >Most believe that if you have nothing to hide, it shouldn't be a problem.

    Turn it around. If the officer has no reason to suspect you, why should he/she detain you?

    Or put in another way. If you have nothing to hide, why put up with being treated as a suspect?

    Or point out that Terry vs. Ohio is the law of the land, and shouldn't the police, of all people, obey the law?

    Or ask why people are so casual about throwing away rights that millions of veterans have died defending.

  198. Police abuse. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    First off i am posting as A Anonymous Coward as you will see for a few reasons.

    I went out with some friends and we all had a bunch to drink. We were walking home when a cop come up and asked us what we were doing. we explained that we were going home.

    Well the cop said asked for my ID and all i had was my my out of state ID (was a friends 21 so came into the state).

    anyway he didnt like that and took me in. While in i kept asking why i was in jail and wanted to call my lawyer and no i was not drunk. i only had 2 beers over 5 hours since i was sopposed to drive poeple home.

    well anyway he came into the cage and smacked me. then threw me against eh wall. wich he then precided to analy rape me. After word we went to the doctor and they found evidence but nothing else.

    I calle da lawyer and he contacted the police station to get the tapes. well the tapes for that night just happened to not get changed. so it was NOT recorded even though it was sopposed to. there was a 20 minute gap that was missing.

    Nothing happened from it. Since there was no proof and the police would not help. heck they would not even investagate it. i also had a hard time to find a lawyer at all.

    After that i do not have much respect or trust for the local police. i have even wrote letters to the papper wich never get published.

    1. Re:Police abuse. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you're teh gay now, dog.

    2. Re:Police abuse. by Fantastic+Lad · · Score: 1
      you're teh gay now, dog.

      Wow. You're pretty worthless, aren't you? What kind of winner says something like that? Life must sure have been fair to you!

      (Awww. Does the tough boy cry inside?)


      -FL

  199. No one will ever read this, but I'll say it anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    The court will decide this:

    1. He doesn't have to show his ID.
    2. An officer can still detain him.

    The end result is that he won't be charged the $250, however an officer will still be able to detain you for a limited amount of time w/o charges given due cause.

  200. Heh... by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    This is going to sound weird, but cops are trained to do that. Wait! It's nothing personal... read on.

    Most people shake with their dominant hand, usually the right... that's also the gun hand. Standard interview position dictates that the officer stay arm's length or slightly more away, and blade his body to you in an effort to keep his gun side away from you. It's awkward and puts the officer physically off-balance to shake hands from this posture, and a trained person can take advantage of that imbalance to grapple with the officer and throw him to the ground.

    As for introductions, officers in some jurisdictions have been outed by having their names, addresses, etc posted on the internet. Faced with that kind of harassment, I'd hesitate to state my name either.

    I'm not trying to excuse outright rudeness... some cops are that way, and I won't condone their attitude... but try to understand the police officer's environment... it goes a long way towards explaining why they do some of the things they do.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:Heh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      officers in some jurisdictions have been outed by having their names, addresses, etc posted on the internet

      Um, as Government employees, isn't that info all public anyway? Unless you're speaking of undercover narc units, which have nothing to do with this case...

    2. Re:Heh... by lost_n_mad · · Score: 1

      The handshake was not really the true point. It is civility. A civil society holds politeness and respect in a similar regard. Thus when a policeman is unwilling to show a civil attitude, he has no respect for me as a citizen, also making me an adversary.
      If they are afraid of every on being a jujitsu master, then maybe they should add some time to their training academy to show them reverses and escapes. Or train them to be masters themselves. Though expecting a police officer to have a professional (read: a bachelor's level) education is a bit much, but could help.
      I don't buy this understand their environment. Their environment is my HOME. It is the areas where I live and where I work and where I play. If they consider it hostile then maybe they should consider a different field of work, the Coast Guard always needs more men or women. After a few months of fighting the ocean, then they may talk about hostile or unsettling.

      --
      TANSTAAFL
  201. US and a national ID by voss · · Score: 1

    Not only is there no requirement for US citizens to carry a national ID, THERE IS NO NATIONAL ID. There are state drivers licenses and there are passports if you wish to travel overseas...currently unless you are driving...there is no requirement to carry id. You do need an ID to fly, but thats only for the airport itself.

    1. Re:US and a national ID by cyt0plas · · Score: 1

      Actually, for many Airports (I think the ones without an international terminal) You Don't Need An ID To Fly. Actually, I've flown through a number of the ones which "require" ID without doing so.

      Heck, at one time in L.A., they were supposed to check me 3 times. I didn't offer, and carried myself in a manner that apparently didn't make me look suspicious - they left me alone entirely. Wow, I feel "secure". Not only does the stupid ID check make us less secure (long, boring, statistical discussion - email me if you want to hear it), but the terrorists can probably get through without ID anyway. Geez.

      --
      Contact Me (got tired of viruses emailing me).
    2. Re:US and a national ID by Grimster · · Score: 1

      Ok if I were a terrorist about to do something "nasty" what's the first thing I'd make damn sure I had? Why yes, a valid looking ID. Heck it's not like they're HARD to get, everybody I knew in high school had at least 1 fake ID to get into bars and nightclubs, and most of us had spares "just in case".

      So a LACK of ID is like nearly a sure giveaway whoever is lacking ID is probably not up to anything serious.

      As for social security numbers, my wife, when I met her, did not have a SSN, I met her a week before her 17th birthday. My family and I helped her get the SSN. I still don't know how the heck her dad filed taxes claiming a kid without a SSN on his taxes.

      This man did a few things wrong, he got a little confrontational, he kept shuffling around, and several other things that would put me on guard if I were a cop. He should have stood still, remained calm and done what several other people have mentioned.

      --
      --- www.f-theocean.com
    3. Re:US and a national ID by dacetone · · Score: 1

      Strange, one of the international airports that came to my mind (Spokane International, GEG) isn't on that list.

      --
      Just follow the day, and reach fo
    4. Re:US and a national ID by idamaybrown · · Score: 1

      Like our SSN isn't becoming a form of national ID? My kids needed to get theirs after birth.(before age 1?) It's on all of our financial records, medical records, employment records, etc. And it is supposed to be just an ID for a retirement system. In texas we now have our thumb print scanned to get our drivers license. My govt. ID has my thumb print encoded in it. Next maybe DNA sample?

  202. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One of the few things that distinguishes America as a free country is the absense of checkpoints and "papers please" where your very existence is presumed to be a crime until YOU demonstrate that you have a right to exist and that you are free to go.

    Goodness! Have you been there? I went there once! Subject to a "groinal search" at every airport, I was. And I'm a WASP (25 yo male, though), I'd hate to find out what they do to brown middle-Eastern Muslim people.

    Australia is a more free country. In fact, I felt more free in Israel than the USA, despite getting something or other searched every day I was there.

  203. Um...Helen Thomas? by 0m3gaMan · · Score: 1

    She's quite critical during White House press conferences.

  204. Re:yeah right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    where's the (-5 Fucking Imbecile) when you need it. geez.

  205. Suspicion of being suspicious by plnrtrvlr · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone else, and the local cops always pulled the same people in for questioning every time that something happened in town. We coined a new charge for the local cops (not that they appreciated our "attitude") and named it "Suspicion of being Suspicious." This was 20 years ago, and I see that things haven't really changed much in the attitudes of the police, but there's something larger at stake here: this court case risks institutionalizing such behavior by our police. If this case goes the wrong way with the court, it will no longer be a tounge in cheek charge in some rivalry between some small town teens and ego tripping small town cops, but instead a simple fact of un-Ameican life that the cops have a right to do this sort of thing.

  206. Re: a possible solution to the problem by gaijin99 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    1)Try to have as little to do with them as possible
    2)Be polite when you do have to deal with them
    3)Get to know them, and let them get to know you, in polite, friendly situations
    That's the essence of the problem though. I know that's the way it *is* but that isn't the way it *should*be*. We should not be afraid of the police. The sight of a police officer should be a welcome one, not one that makes us nervous.

    Even before USA PATRIOT we knew that if a police officer simply didn't like us they could mess our lives up, after USA PATRIOT its even worse of course. It is a problem, and it must be fixed. I rather like Brin's proposal in "The Transparent Society": make every cop wear a webcam at all times while he is on duty [FOOTNOTE]. Get lots of cameras in the hands of everybody so no cop ever feels that he is unrecorded. If I was a cop I wouldn't like this, and frankly I don't like that its necessary. I'm quite sure that the number of bad cops is quite low, but they do exist and as citizens of a free country we must be assured at all times that the police are not out of control.

    The other thing we must do is to recognize that making the police's job easy is not always the best course of action. It would be much easier if the police had DNA records for every citizen, as well as finger prints, retinal prints, body profile, etc. It would make their jobs easier if they didn't have to get warrents, if they could arrest anyone at any time for anything. The point is that they have a hard job and unfortunately it isn't always in our best interest to make it easier.

    .

    FOOTNOTE: Naturally we'd have to make exceptions for police officers preparing for raids and the like; but I want their webcams simply time shifted so that the feed isn't released until after the raid, not simply turned off for that duration. Allowing the powerful to operate in secrecy is simply a bad idea. We must make the police accountable, thus answering the old question: "Who will watch the watchers?" We all will.

    --
    "Mission Accomplished" -- George W. Bush May 1, 2003
  207. For What it's Worth by Shakrai · · Score: 4, Insightful
    The first thing that ran through my head while reading the summary was a Nazi German saying, "Your papers, please."

    I don't think it's really comparable to that at all. The Police Officer in question was responding to a domestic violence call involving an adult man and a female child. When he arrived he saw two people that matched this description. He made a quite reasonable request to see ID which was refused. The guy never asked him if he had probable cause to ask for ID -- he just refused. His body language wasn't exactly friendly either.

    Mind you, that's no defense for what they did to his daughter. I would expect my daughter to be somewhat hysterial if I was in the process of being arrested too. But then I also wouldn't choose to make a political statement in a situation where my daughter could be hauled off to jail as a result of my actions. Maybe he should have thought of her first instead of making his stupid stand.

    For the record I've refused to show ID to a police officer once on princepal. For starters he knew damn well who I was (small town) and I wasn't involved in the incident. I was eating breakfast at a small cafe and some drunk guy had an argument on a payphone with somebody (presumably his wife?) -- when he left he kicked the glass door and shattered it. Naturally they called the cops.

    The officer who responded had been my DARE instructor many years prior (I love small towns) -- he called me by my first name when he entered the establishment. Then they started asking for witness statements -- I had no statement to give because I didn't witness anything. I was on the far side of the cafe and hadn't seen anything -- just heard it. I told them this and they refused to accept it at face value.

    "Are you sure you didn't see anything?"
    "I'm positive."
    "I find that hard to beilive."
    "I was focusing on my newspaper and my breakfast. I'm getting ready to go to work."
    [nods as he's taking notes] "Uhh huh. Do you have ID on you?"
    "Yes, why do you need to see it?"
    "May I see your ID please?"
    "No, you may not. Am I a suspect in your investigation?"
    "No you aren't. May I please see some ID?"
    "No you may not."
    "How did you get here?"
    "I drove."
    "Then you need to have your license on you."
    "I do have it on me, but you don't need to see it."
    "Sir, may I please see your ID?"
    "No, you may not. You know good well who I am."

    At this point the Officer gave up. Or so I thought. When I walked out to my car to leave I noticed another cruiser sitting there -- both officers watched me climb into my car. It was obvious they were going to pull me over the minute I started it. Being the stubborn bastard that I am and refusing to concede my point I called a friend and arranged a ride to work. Picked up my car later in the day. Waved to the officers as I left in my ride. Not a damn thing they could do about it.

    Check and mate. I win. But I was actually in the right. I don't think this guy has a chance in hell. I'm typically defend him (hell I just spent the whole day arguing against mandatory roadside BAC tests on another story) -- but he's obviously in the wrong here. The Police Officer was just trying to do his job.

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    1. Re:For What it's Worth by cptgrudge · · Score: 1
      I don't think it's really comparable to that at all.

      Upon further investigation, I agree. It was just what ran through my head in typical slashbot fashion as I read the summary, and I thought it was funny/interesting that the linked site was along those same lines. It wasn't my intent to make a particular statement one way or another.

      --
      Qualitas edurus commercium, nullus penitus net rimor, nullus deus beneficium
    2. Re:For What it's Worth by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 1
      The guy never asked him if he had probable cause to ask for ID -- he just refused.His body language wasn't exactly friendly either.

      Neither refusing to show ID, nor hostile body language, are grounds for reasonable suspicion (allowing detention) or probable cause (allowing arrest) that a crime has been commited.

      but he's obviously in the wrong here. The Police Officer was just trying to do his job.

      So were the southern cops in the 1960s who turned the dogs and the fire hoses on civil rights marchers. Your point?

      There's a term for countries where citizens are legally obligated to make it easy for police officers to do their job. The term is "police state".

      --
      Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
      You cannot wash away blood with blood
    3. Re:For What it's Worth by Shakrai · · Score: 0
      Neither refusing to show ID, nor hostile body language, are grounds for reasonable suspicion (allowing detention) or probable cause (allowing arrest) that a crime has been commited.

      He already had reasonable suspicion based on the reported domestic violence call.

      If somebody calls the cops and tells them they witnessed an middle-aged man arguing with a teenage girl (presumably his daughter) and the cops then find a middle-aged man and a teenage girl in the area it's a fairly safe assumption that they are the ones in question.

      In any case the idiot signed his own arrest warrant. You do not have the right to refuse to give the authorities your name. According to the video (and the transcript) he stated "No, ------------ why should I have an ID? Why do you want me to..." in response to the question of "You've got any identification on you?" If he truly didn't have ID on him and wasn't looking to make some cheap political statement because he was pissed off to begin with (presumably as the result of an argument with his daughter) why didn't he say something like "I don't have ID on me but my name is John Smith"?

      Had he done that it would have been a non-issue. The cop would have asked him what had happened -- he would have explained that he had an argument with his daughter. At this point the cop would asked the daughter if she had been hit or abused in anyway -- assuming she answered "No." that would have been the end of it. Nobody gets arrested -- his daughter doesn't go through the trauma of watching Daddy get tossed into the back of the squad car. How could he allow that to happen with his daughter present? As a parent you don't look to make a political statement if it's going to harm your child. It's simply not worth it.

      So were the southern cops in the 1960s who turned the dogs and the fire hoses on civil rights marchers. Your point?

      What's your point by bringing up a completely unrelated subject?

      There's a term for countries where citizens are legally obligated to make it easy for police officers to do their job. The term is "police state".

      Your not obligated to make it easy for them. If he had told the Officer his name and then stated "I'm not answering anymore questions until I speak with an attorney" there's nothing more they could have done. His own statements in the middle of this ordeal of "Take me to jail" suggest he was more interested in either scoring a cheap point or just pissed off at the World in general that day. More likely the second option based on the "Take me to jail, I don't care" statement.

      You don't have the right to refuse to tell them who you are. You probably do have the right to refuse to show ID however based on what state you are in -- unless you are in a situation where it would be required (i.e: traffic stop -- your supposed to have your license on you to drive). I do know that in my state they can't force me to give ID.

      --
      I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
      We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    4. Re:For What it's Worth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He already had reasonable suspicion based on the reported domestic violence call.

      Then roll up, DETAIN THE MAN, check on the 'victim' (you do know it was HER that hit HIM, right?) and then arrest/release him. BUT FOR GODS SAKE DON'T STAND THERE ASKING FOR ID OVER AND OVER.

      why didn't he say something like "I don't have ID on me but my name is John Smith"?


      Because the cop NEVER ASKED FOR HIS NAME.

    5. Re:For What it's Worth by Shakrai · · Score: 1
      Then roll up, DETAIN THE MAN, check on the 'victim' (you do know it was HER that hit HIM, right?) and then arrest/release him. BUT FOR GODS SAKE DON'T STAND THERE ASKING FOR ID OVER AND OVER.

      The way I see it the Officer was trying to offer him an out. It's not his fault he was too dense to see that and take advantage of it. If he had actually stated "I don't have ID on me" instead of rambling about being illegally parked or not doing anything wrong then it never would have gotten this far.

      He was obviously agitated to begin with (understandable if he just had an argument with his daughter) but that's no excuse for letting a situation like that spiral out of control. There's no reason this had to happen and most of the fault lies with Mr. Hiibel himself.

      Because the cop NEVER ASKED FOR HIS NAME.

      And he never said "No I don't have ID on me". That one sentence would have stopped this before it even started. He has to take some measure of responsibility for his own actions.

      Stupid hick.

      --
      I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
      We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    6. Re:For What it's Worth by Kludge · · Score: 1

      I don't think this guy has a chance in hell.

      Fortunately, you're wrong. Just the fact that the Supreme Court took the case is a good indicator that some of the justices are skeptical of the previous rulings that went against the man.

    7. Re:For What it's Worth by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 2, Interesting
      If somebody calls the cops and tells them they witnessed an middle-aged man arguing with a teenage girl (presumably his daughter) and the cops then find a middle-aged man and a teenage girl in the area it's a fairly safe assumption that they are the ones in question.

      None of which has anything to do with demands for ID papers. No one said "I saw Dudley Hiibel being naughty".

      You do not have the right to refuse to give the authorities your name

      First, he wasn't asked for his name. Only for his papers. Second, yes, you do, though refusal to give your name can be grounds for suspicion - but not, by itself, probable cause for arrest. But you can always say "I don't want to talk to you. Unless you are detaining me or arresting me, I'm going to leave now," and be perfectly within your legal rights. Third, since the cops in this case weren't looking for any person by name, neither giving a name nor showing ID could have any effect on reasonable suspicion or probable cause in this case.

      As a parent you don't look to make a political statement if it's going to harm your child. It's simply not worth it.

      It saddens and amazes me that you thinks that insisting on your civil liberties being recognized is just a "political statement". And I'd say standing up for right and freedom is one of the most important things you can do and demonstrate for your kids.

      I do know that in my state they can't force me to give ID.

      It has nothing to do with which State you're in. It's a fundamental principle of American law.

      --
      Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
      You cannot wash away blood with blood
    8. Re:For What it's Worth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "How did you get here?"
      "I drove."
      "Then you need to have your license on you."

      Perhaps a better response would have been
      "Only when I'm actually driving, which I am not now doing."

    9. Re:For What it's Worth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Police Officer in question was responding to a domestic violence call involving an adult man and a female child. When he arrived he saw two people that matched this description.

      ROFL. Yeah, that narrows it down alright. That town must be very small indeed. I also love the fact that a domestic violence case was reported at all. OF COURSE, any argument between a man and a woman means that the man is beating her.

      I find it interesting that this (relatively) anonymous report turned out to be false whether intentional or not. Since it was a completely false, and irresponsible report, I don't see how any weight can be given to it. The fact that such false reports can be prosecuted changes nothing. The burden of proof should be on the police, not on all the rest of us poor "suspects" just trying to live our lives without big brother gestapo (whether called by nosy fellow citizens or not) assaulting us in whatever we they see fit.

    10. Re:For What it's Worth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Police Officer in question was responding to a domestic violence call involving an adult man and a female child

      First the cop knew only "a domestic disturbance" nothing about a child involved. It was an anonymous call from a concerned citizen. Not the women dialing 911 saying she was being beaten.

      The guy never asked him if he had probable cause to ask for ID
      Several time he asks why the cop wants the paper, even insisting he was not even ther one driving. "I am investigating an investigation" is the only answer he got. Not "We received information that your are a violent man beating that women". The guy might have complied just to clear his reputation.

      The Fourth Amendment
      The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

      An anonymous phone call is not enough to start a search. Otherwise to piss off your neighbor you just go to a payphone and say he is selling drugs!

      The cop could have asked "Any cars problems? Can I help?" to try and find out what was going on. Or ask the girl why she stopped the truck, what happened, who is that guy. If he has any reason to believe foul play, like bruises on the girl, the guy extremely nervous repeating "go away, fuck you, mind your own business", then he have probable cause and ask for papers.

      If this case is lost in court, the cops will be permitted to go on fishing expeditions by placing roadblocks and asking everyone for papers.

  208. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by whoopass · · Score: 1

    You should watch the Canadian version of COPS.

  209. Police Perjury by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    A few years ago my GF was driving to her home from my house at about midnight. She got pulled over, for no reason, but only after the officer had followed her for five or six blocks and she was on a side street. He kept her there for about twenty minutes then issued her a ticket for running a red light. The whole time she had a strong impression that he was checking her out physically.

    Furious, she decided she'll contest the ticket. She drew diagrams and wrote up her recollection of the events to show that that 1) there's no red light at that location and 2) even if there were the officer couldn't have seen it from his position.

    She presented her evidence and was confident the ticket would get dismised, but when the officer told his side of the story he lied. Everything that came out of his mouth was untrue, from what side of the street he'd been driving on to how long he followed her, where he pulled her over, how long he detained her and most importantly he lied about the very existence of the traffic light.

    Of course the judge ruled that the ticket was valid and she had to pay the fine, but I was just amazed that a professional law enforcement officer would perjure himself over a fucking traffic ticket. It also made me think, that if he'd lie over a ticket he'd sure as hell lie over more important matters.

    1. Re:Police Perjury by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well now you and your girlfriend learnt an important lesson. Never try to contest a traffic ticket. Here in cook county(chicago) the fine and the amount of time on your record is less by a significant amount if you ask for supervision.
      The only tickets you can contest are speeding tickets(usally not worth the effort). Do a search online and you will find out how. It is because you can claim the radar gun was not calibrated right and that there is an error margin. These are things the officer will have a hard time argueing about.
      If you want to try to get away with a ticket motion for a continuances and hope the officer does not show up next time.

    2. Re:Police Perjury by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      he lied about the very existence of the traffic light.


      Your GF didn't take a picture or video of the area to prove the (non) existance fo the traffic light?

  210. Law Enforcement Background=No Problem by gadlaw · · Score: 1

    Excuse me. I don't have to go and prove I'm innocent to anyone with a badge who happens to not like my looks. Police officers cannot go and simply ask me for identification or my name for no reason whatsoever. Perhaps your 'law enforcement background' has made you less sensitive to constitutional rights and so I can see why you wouldn't see a problem here. And my mother would be proud that I'm not a good little 'young pioneer'

    --
    Enjoy your Karma, after all you earned it. Feel your Karma Joe, feel it burn.
  211. American Bar Association? by Poligraf · · Score: 1

    Won't whey want to check if you're drunk? ;-)

    --
    Tigers respect lions, elephants and hippos. Maggots respect no one. (C) S. Dovlatov
  212. Now you know... by swb · · Score: 1

    This is a problem in America: people for whom the system has worked reasonably well have no call to question whether it works that well for everyone. They just assume it does, because that thought is comforting. If it doesn't work for someone, they assume that it is that person's fault, not the system's.

    ...how I feel about X Windows!!!!

  213. I don't understand by Kanasta · · Score: 1

    Is it reasonable to be asked for your say drivers license if a cop comes to your car? I had always assumed we were to show it.

    1. Re:I don't understand by Desirsar · · Score: 1

      In every state I know of, it's illegal to drive without it on your person, let alone not having one issued to you at all. So, yes, you have to produce it if you are pulled over and asked for it.

  214. I've almost had this happen to me by rynthetyn · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Back when I was a teenager, I was protesting somewhere (where and for what issue is irrelevant), and I had the cops called on me by people on the other side of the issue, who claimed that I was violating a perimeter injunction that the people who called the cops knew full well I wasn't named on. There was absolutely no way that I was going to allow my name to be placed on a police report just for exercising my First Ammendment rights (not to mention the whole unlawful search and seizure thing), but I had to go around and around with them reminding them of the Constitution before they decided to leave me alone and go. They even threatened me that they could arrest me and then I'd have to tell them who I was, but I think they finally gave up when they saw that just because I was 14 didn't mean they could intimidated me. If they had arrested me, there would have already been a Supreme Court case by now because I would have sued.

    --
    Eagles may soar, but weasles don't get sucked into jet engines...
  215. Re:What is there to hide? by bluelantern · · Score: 1

    Anything you do that questions their authority provokes a canned response: time to harass you, arrest you, or otherwise ensure you know they're the one with the power.

    This is no deep observation. What are they supposed to do to assert their authority, lecture you? No. When you question my penis size, I have two choices, show you the penis in question or just verbally defend myself. I'd choose to show you my penis and with your attitude I'd probably billy club you over the head with it. With my penis size I'd have to knock you to the ground and pelvic thrust your head, and I'd do it too. I know judo.

    Don't ever question authority...especially that of my penis.

  216. No, no, no... by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    Read the link I posted from epic... it was not a situation of someone being rousted for their looks. Seriously... read about it. I'm not involved in law enforcement now, but even in my current role as a joe citizen, it certainly seems objectively reasonable.

    You're correct, BTW... an officer can always ask for your ID, but if he has no reason to suspect you of anything, you don't have to give it to him. Politely ask if you're under arrest or being detained... if the answer is no, simply state that you're in a time-crunch to be somewhere, and that unless you're under arrest, you'll be leaving. Unless the officer has reasonable suspicion that you've committed a crime, he cannot stop you from politely saying "no thank you" and walking away.

    Also, it's police "explorer," not pioneer ;)

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
  217. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by nursedave · · Score: 1, Troll

    Remember Sam Donaldson? I have no problems with a reporter asking critical questions of the President; but this asshole was so rude to Reagan that I was hoping the SS would take him out back and teach him the same manners my daddy taught me, using the same methods. Then he could stand up all he wanted during those conferences. Wouldn't have a choice, really.

    --

    The Democratic Party: We've been pussies since 1968!

  218. yea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    yea!
    i dont wanna show my id to a cop! never! even if i look like a thug! even if my shirt is soaked full of blood they shud just leave me alone. even if they see me shoot somebody, i first have to be convicted to be arrested, thats right!

    morons

  219. This is "news for nerds"? by TrollBridge · · Score: 1, Insightful
    What the hell, I've got karma to burn.

    Is Slashdot shifting its focus from computer gadgets and networks and Linux to nothing more than a political commentary board? How is this story 'News for Nerds'?

    Sure, it may be 'Stuff that matters', but there's a lot of other non-tech stuff that matters that doesn't make it onto Slashdot because it's not news for nerds. What makes this (decidedly anti-Ashcroft) story special? What does this have to do with "nerd stuff"?

    This particular story reeks of an editor foisting a political viewpoint on an audience guaranteed to work themselves into a frothy lather over it (isn't that called trolling?). It belongs on a Political site, not Slashdot.

    Oh and yes, I did reply to this thread so that it would actually be read. The parent troll was modded down appropriately. Thanks for reading this.

    --
    There's a Mercedes gap too. I want one and can't afford one, but it's not government's job to do anything about it.
    1. Re:This is "news for nerds"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is Slashdot shifting its focus from computer gadgets and networks and Linux to nothing more than a political commentary board? How is this story 'News for Nerds'?

      Sure, it may be 'Stuff that matters', but there's a lot of other non-tech stuff that matters that doesn't make it onto Slashdot because it's not news for nerds. What makes this (decidedly anti-Ashcroft) story special? What does this have to do with "nerd stuff"?


      The poster is probably a "Deanie Weenie" who is pissed off that his candidate self-destructed in such a spectacular fashion.

    2. Re:This is "news for nerds"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- "One of Howard Dean's most powerful labor supporters, Gerald W. McEntee, said on Thursday that he had decided that Dr. Dean was "nuts" shortly before he withdrew his support for Dr. Dean's candidacy and begged him to quit the race to avoid a humiliating defeat."

      And to think that most of the fools reading this actually supported a madman like Dean. Bunch of fucking socialists.

    3. Re:This is "news for nerds"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Excuse me but we're trying to have a conversation here. Shut the fuck up if you don't want to join us.

    4. Re:This is "news for nerds"? by shione · · Score: 1

      hi mr troll...er bridge. You only have half of slashdot's motto. Its news for nerds, stuff that matters and privacy is stuff that important not just to nerds but for everyone. Also theres a sub section on slashdot where this topic goes, called 'your rights online' and that subsection has been there even before I lost my original account.

    5. Re:This is "news for nerds"? by TrollBridge · · Score: 1
      "Also theres a sub section on slashdot where this topic goes, called 'your rights online'"

      Show me where the ONLINE part of "your rights online" is in this story.

      --
      There's a Mercedes gap too. I want one and can't afford one, but it's not government's job to do anything about it.
    6. Re:This is "news for nerds"? by lysium · · Score: 1
      Is Slashdot shifting its focus from computer gadgets and networks and Linux to nothing more than a political commentary board? How is this story 'News for Nerds'?

      Why do librarians zealously fight against the Patriot Act? It is not like books are being taken off the shelf or anything. Just because the cause is not immediately apparent, it is foolish to assume that none exists.

      ====--=====

      --
      Together, we will drive the rats from the tundra.
  220. There is only a problem by BCW2 · · Score: 1

    When you are pulled ove by the bad 15% of cops. These are equally divided between Rookies(who are just scary with their lack of experienced judgment) and the overzeaulous assholes who harrass everyone (god complex). The rest are good people who would rather help than anything else. I knew a good one when I was a teen, carried the same ticket book for 8 years, never used it up.

    --
    Professional Politicians are not the solution, they ARE the problem.
  221. If you watched "COPS" then by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you saw this kind of illegal behavior by cops on more than 50% of the shows.

  222. Wow! by r_j_prahad · · Score: 1

    Godwin's law transgressed on the first post? I daresay that must be some sort of a record... even for Slashdot.

  223. What everyone's missing by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    is that this is NOT a case of "can I have your papers, please?" I know RTFA is verboten on slashdot, but I wish, just once...

    There was a report of a witnessed assault/domestic violence, the police officer arrived to find a man matching the description, who appeared potentially intoxicated, and had a real bad attitude towards the police. This constitutes at least reasonable suspicion (the standard to detain for ID), and with the witness testimony, borders on probable cause (the standard to arrest). This wasn't a guy just minding his own business...

    Police have to have some kind of articulable, reasonable suspicion to detain you for ID, and they have to be able to articulate that reasonable suspicion in court, or they lose their evidence, and along with it their case. This was not just some joe getting rousted for no reason.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:What everyone's missing by gaijin99 · · Score: 1
      Police have to have some kind of articulable, reasonable suspicion to detain you for ID, and they have to be able to articulate that reasonable suspicion in court, or they lose their evidence, and along with it their case.
      Well, not in California and Texas they don't. I don't know about other states, but in California and Texas a police officer can demand ID for no reason at all and it is a crime to refuse. Sig Heil.
      There was a report of a witnessed assault/domestic violence, the police officer arrived to find a man matching the description, who appeared potentially intoxicated, and had a real bad attitude towards the police. This constitutes at least reasonable suspicion
      Actually, I did RTFA :) I'm something of a rareity on Slashdot that way. I also watched the video on the person's site. I think that this is far from an ideal test case because the deamnd for ID was potentially legitamate. OTOH I do think that there is a very serious problem regarding ID and police demands for the same. Perhaps in this case it was justified, though I remain undecided (leaning against the cop) in this particular case. There were other, less aggressive, ways he could have carried out his duty. My earlier point was directed towards the more general problem.

      --
      "Mission Accomplished" -- George W. Bush May 1, 2003
    2. Re:What everyone's missing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There was a report of a witnessed assault/domestic violence

      Firstly, SHE hit HIM, not the other way around. So much for the accuracy of witnesses.

      Secondly, if the cop was SOOOOOO concerned about the poor little beat up girl, why did he not even TALK to her, NOR go over and LOOK at her?

      If the cop had cuffed the guy immediately ('detained him'), then went to talk to the daughter, I would have no problems with that. Instead, he stood around for minutes verbally sparring with the man (remember- he thinks the woman may be beaten and possibly need medical attention, and he's not checking on her!).

      the police officer arrived to find a man matching the description, who appeared potentially intoxicated,

      Being tipsy is not a crime. DRIVING drunk is, but the man was NOT driving.

      and had a real bad attitude towards the police

      Correction: a bad attitude towards THIS police officer who didn't explain what was going on ("I'm investigating an investigation"!?!?!). Instead, the cop just kept asking for his ID. Like seeing this man's ID would help the 'battered woman' in the truck...

      Either cuff him and check on the 'victim', or walk past him and check on the 'victim'. DOn't stand there demanding ID while the 'victim' is suffering.

  224. Badge Numbers by bonkedproducer · · Score: 1

    Actually in most places (I'll use Maricopa County Arizona Sheriff's Dept. as an example) Your badge number doesn't mean anything, because it's not unique, they use an "EMPLOYEE NUMBER" to identify themselves, but no one knows to ask for that - cute way for the police to answer the "What's your badge number?" question without having to create huge amounts of paperwork for complaints when an arrest/ticket isn't involved.

    I've had the unpleasant task of filing a complaint against a peace officer for assault in TN (This was over 10 years ago) because of mistaken identity (they got confused as to who had caused a disturbance that involved me as a witness and tackled me from behind upon arrival before asking a single question of anyone including the person that called them.)

    I was threatened repeatedly in that nice "Are you sure you want to file these papers, I mean, most officers don't take kindly to this sort of thing." way.

    Hey, I'm all for cops doing whatever it takes to defend themselves and make it home safe at night, but, the law is the law, and if you visit the site , and watch the video, he didn't break it, maybe he was a little bit rude, but it isn't a law that you have to have ID - he told him time and time again that he had none on him. Further, if the officer was so concerned about the 911 call, perhaps he should have taken Hiibel up on the offer to cuff him and DETAIN him (you can detain without arrest) while he actually did some investigation. ID or no ID he didn't care about why he was there, he just wanted to make an arrest when the guy didn't give in to his unconstitutional demand.

    This is an important case because it could give the police that much more to arrest and detain and confiscate property with - I mean do you want to go to jail, and lose all your property, because you were near a disturbance and forgot your wallet at home?

    --
    Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society - M. Twain
  225. No, you are missing the point by e_armadillo · · Score: 0

    The officer, who was supposedly investigating a domestic violence call, NEVER tried to determine if there had been any violence. He never once made any attempt to see if the girl in the truck was OK, the first thing you would think he should do if she were the potential "victim". He never once indicated what the "report" was. "ahm kunducktin a investugashun"
    No, instead he decided to let his ego get in the way and tries to bully him into complying with the whole "Show me your ID" spiel. The officer never gave the man any justification other than "Kuz ah sed so"
    And then the girl is arrested for resisting arrest???? I've never understood that logic, isn't resisting arrest a supplementary charge, i.e. you actually have to be in the process of being arrested for something else first???
    The point is, the officer(s) chose to escalate a harmless situation rather than use diplomacy. A citizen has the *right* to question the directives of a law enforcement officer, and the officer should address the citizens concerns, unless for some reason they perceive a threat. I saw no evidence of a threat. If the officer can give a reasonable justification for the request then the citizen should comply. "Kuz ah sed so!" just isn't enough by itself.

  226. Me. by ljavelin · · Score: 1

    I was stopped walking on my own property and asked for ID by police.

    The reason? "There's been some break-ins around here." I had long hair at the time - maybe I wasn't the "right element" for him.

    Just a loser cop with nothing better to do in suburban Connecticut.

    Funny, they never even came to the house after I reported that someone batted my mailbox 8 times in one month.

  227. A better solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    A better solution is just to ignore the police officer completely. By saying "no" you are asserting your intentions and this constitutes an act. By not responding to the officer you are giving him the burdon of action.

    Case in point; one time my car was being illegally towed (the driver hadn't finished connecting my car to his, which is the law here in Eugene OR), when he refused to release my vehicle, I responded by entering my vehicle and locking the doors. Of course it's illegal to tow a car with someone in it, so the driver had to call in the police (yes I'm serious). At first two officers came and asked me to come out... I ignored their request and instead stated my reasons why my car was being illegally towed. Then they asked if I had ID and I presented it. Then they asked me to come out, but this time I ignored them. They said that I didn't come out they were going to break the window and pull me out and arrest me for resisting an officer. "Sounds a little excessive." I said, and that shut him up.

    Not knowing what to do, they called in two more police officers so now there is 4. These next two cops pretty much do the same as the first officer, ask me to come out and I ignore them, just staring straight ahead.

    Now they call two more officers, so there's six total, and they all get a chance at trying to get me out of my car, and they all get the same treatment.

    Well they can't figure it what to do, so they decide to call the sergent, for a total of... 7 police officers.

    So the sergent is obviously going to have the final say so I start talking, and when he asks for me to get out of the car, I simply say that I can talk to him just the same sitting in my seat, and that with my car on a tow hitch and 7 officers surrounding me he has my full assurances that I'm not going to try and run away. So he tells me that he's going to have his officers break the window and pull me out.
    ME: For what?
    HIM: for resisting arrest
    ME: what am I being arrested for?
    HIM: interfering with a police investigation
    ME: how can there be an investigation if no crime has been commited?
    HIM: You are resisting a lawful order given by a peace officer, which is a felony
    ME: Why do you need me out of the car to talk to me when I can as easly talk to you right now?

    on and on... it went like this for about 5 mins, but never did I tell him "no". Everytime he askes me to step out I always respond with "but why is that necessary...". Very sticky situation for him, I'm not disobeying yet I'm not obeying at the same time. Finally it comes down to this.

    HIM: are you going to come out of the car?
    ME: ...
    HIM: this is your last chance to get out or I'm going to have my officer break in and pull you out.

    And then I drop the bombshell.

    ME: Officer, I want to inform you that this conversation is being recorded, and anything you say or do could be used against you in a civil court of law. (HA! I just read him his rights!)
    HIM: It's illegal to record without informing the person. I could have you arrested for...
    ME: I have legitimate belief that my car is illegally being towed and if the driver disagrees then he should take it up in civil court. I don't believe that this situation warrents the use of police or the excessive use of force, and I don't believe that your order for me to step out of this car is warrented or lawful, given the fact that I am in a vehicle that is immobile, and that there are 7 officers surrounding me.
    HIM: If you don't step out of this car right now, then I am going to arrest you and you are going to have a felony, and you are going to spend time in jail. Do you want to spend time in jail? I'm trying to help you, but you are making this difficult. Do you want a felony because you simply didn't want to pay the truck driver the fee?
    ME: ...
    HIM: now please step out of the vehicle
    ME: ...

    And then he just stands there, then goes into his patrol ca

    1. Re:A better solution by Tiny+Rhino · · Score: 1
      1st: In Maryland, failure to obey the lawful order of a Police Officer is a misdemeanor offense. The lawful order is to exit your vehicle since the tow truck driver has lawful possession of your vehicle, and you are preventing him from lawfully driving away (since you are in the vehicle). That is the crime. The only question the officers have to answer in their heads is, "did the tow driver have lawful possession?"

      2nd: You are then resisting arrest. Since their is a crime being committed in the presence of the officer, he can use reasonable, necessary force to arrest you. Breaking a window is not excessive in this case if your doors are locked.

      Not saying that I would have done this. If you were a smartass or in any way an asshole, you'd have your window broken and be extracted. But, if you were as you say polite and cool about it, my response to the tow driver would be drop the vehicle and take it up in civil court for your tow fee.

      Sounds to me like you were being a smart-ass though... "Officer, I want to inform you that this conversation is being recorded, and anything you say or do could be used against you in a civil court of law. (HA! I just read him his rights!)"

      Hrmmm, would have been interesting to see how your case would have played out in court.

    2. Re:A better solution by uncadonna · · Score: 1
      This guy must be a lawyer. The idea that saying nothing protects you from consequences that saying "no" exposes you to is ridiculous. If it's true, it's tragic as well as ridiculous.

      Bad cops are bad, but ridiculous laws are worse, because they make the law a laughingstock, and promote antisocial attitudes like the ones so clearly on display in the parent.

      For a few bucks and a technicality this guy ruined the day for eight people doing their jobs. He happily concludes "HA HA f**k him", and advises you to do likewise.

      I advise you to cooperate except in situations where the police are clearly violating your rights as in brutality or false arrest, and even then responding with the maximum dignity and calm the situation allows. If a cop asks you for ID, produce it or explain why you aren't carrying any. If a cop asks you to get out of your car, get out of your car. These guys have more important things to do than hassle with opinionated middle class fools picking a procedural fight over technicalities. They are, for the most part, trying to protect you from genuinely bad guys.

      Police struggle with false positives and false negatives all the time. They have to make quick decisions with large consequences all the time. They cannot be expected to be infallible. Help them make the call, don't flirt with being miscategorized on some absurd theoretical grounds.

      By the way, the US immigration service already has the right to demand ID without cause. If you didn't know that, you don't look Mexican.

      I'm no fan of the current administration, but I think it's absolutely necessary under present and foreseeable circumstances for people to be able to identify themselves to authorities on short notice. I can see why that might bother people, but there's more at stake than just privacy.

      --
      mt
  228. Better yet, watch the video by JoeNotCharles · · Score: 5, Informative
    Never investigated the daughter's physical state to see if she had been battered (turns out, she hit her father, not the other way around ...)
    Of course he didn't. As soon as he pulled up, Hiibel walked up to him. Obviously he's going to deal with the guy who's standing right in front of him first before turning his back on him to stick his head in the truck and check on the daughter. And based on his response to, "Can I see your ID?" it's pretty obvious, "Can I look in your truck," would have made him just blow up. At least, if I was the cop, that's what I'd have assumed.
    Never told Mr. Hiibel why he stopped to investigate
    It was the first thing he said. It was on the video and the transcript. I have no idea why the summary claims otherwise.
    Simply told Mr. Hiibel that he was "investigating an investigation" and asked for ID
    He should have repeated what he was investigating, sure. But Hiibel was being pretty deliberately obtuse himself. He responded, "I don't know about that," when the officer first mentioned the fighting report, so it's obvious he heard him. But then he kept repeating, "But I'm parked legally," pretending he thought it was just a traffic stop.
    What does an ID give a cop in an investigation?
    The ability to check for outstanding arrest warrants? He's investigating a possible domestic abuse. Now if he walks up to the girl and she has a bruise on her arm, but says she just whacked it on the door getting in, should he believe her or not? Well, if there's no reason except the vague report of "a guy in a pickup with a cowboy hat", probably he does. But if he runs the ID and finds out there have been a dozen prior complaints in this family, that makes a big difference.
    Sure, if he has probable cause that something illegal happened,
    Which he did...
    he'll need to ID the person, but that can wait until he's taken back to the station.
    But the results of running the ID affect whether he'll be taken back to the station. Say it's a relatively minor crime, and the cop gets enough evidence to arrest him. A normal guy with just this one offence might go quietly, but if he's got an outstanding murder conviction the cop doesn't know about, he's gonna want to stay out of custody at all costs. The cop's gotta know this, or the first he'll realize there's something out of the ordinary is when the guy turns on him.
    Probable suspicion is not enough to arrest a person, or even ask for an ID.
    I don't know US law, but in my opinion it's not enough for an arrest but it's certainly enough to ask for an ID. A much more interesting question is, what is probable suspicion? An anonymous tip? A profile match? A black man in a posh neighbourhood? (Before you flame me, those are all examples of things that aren't good enough but cops will try to get away with.)
    1. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Delphiki · · Score: 1

      I think all of the examples you listed except the black man in a posh neighborhood are good enough for probable suspicion. It doesn't take much, but then it doesn't let the police do much.

      --

      Feel free to mod me "-1 - Angry Jerk".

    2. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is no such thing as probable suspicion.

    3. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Ateryx · · Score: 2, Insightful
      The ability to check for outstanding arrest warrants? He's investigating a possible domestic abuse.

      I was rather disturbed at my first read of Mr. Hiibel's website, but after watching the video, I realized there was a lot more to this story.

      JoeNotCharles really kicks home the key point--Mr. Hiibel was not just simply sitting on the road minding his own business. The officers were inspecting a report, granted they should have informed Mr. Hiibel of their investigation more clearly when he asked them what they were investigating (they did ask him if he was fighting, but Mr. Hiibel avoided furthering the conversation). End of story.

      --
      "The truth suffers from too much analysis"
    4. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Arker · · Score: 4, Informative

      Which he did...

      No he didn't. The state isn't even claiming he did.

      I don't know US law, but in my opinion it's not enough for an arrest but it's certainly enough to ask for an ID.

      To ask for an ID? Don't need any reason at all. I can ask you for your ID anytime I want, without even being a cop.

      The point is that refusing to supply ID is not a crime, nor is it probable cause. Anyone can ask you for ID, but you are not under any obligation to supply it. This guy was arrested on a thinly veiled charge of failing to supply ID, and failing to supply ID is not a crime - in fact it's a constitutionally protected right.

      --
      =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
      Friends don't let friends enable ecmascript.
    5. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "if he runs the ID and finds out there have been a dozen prior complaints in this family, that makes a big difference."

      I don't know about your country, but in any civilised country real or imaginary past arrests or offences can't be used. Either the person was guilty and was sentenced, in which case it is over, or or was innocent and let free, in which case it is over. You can't say "well, he crossed a red light five years ago, so he's a proven lawbreaker, we'll arrest him again."

    6. Re:Better yet, watch the video by ConversantShogun · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Anyone can ask you for ID, but you are not under any obligation to supply it.

      Well, the bigger point is, you are never under any general obligation to even carry an ID. Sure, you have to carry your license to drive, but only in connection with that specific activity. Recall that the daughter was the one driving.

      It used to be that in some states, Ohio one, e.g.,--and I don't know whether this was by statute or by court decision--you actually had a grace period of a day or two to produce your license if you were pulled over without it being on your person. I don't know if that has since changed, but when I was a teenager, I was pulled over on two separate occassions without my wallet. Neither time did I get a ticket (of course the officer did ask for my name and checked it out in his car's computer).

      --

      --When you buy proprietary software, you don't get better software. What you get is the right to complain about it.
    7. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Dashing+Leech · · Score: 1
      ...past arrests or offences can't be used

      You are referring to admissibility in court, and in fact it can be allowed if there is a past pattern of criminal behaviour similar to the current charge. But it does affect whether the cop believes the person, and it can contribute to probable cause for an arrest (if the believability that they committed the crime is the issue).

    8. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you don't know US law, then STFU!
      Whatever happened to remaining silent when you don't know what you're talking about?

    9. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Finally someone with some common sense... I watched the video, and whether Hiibel's obligated to show an ID or not doesn't really matter. The cop was investigating a domestic abuse, and he told that to Hiibel (the suspect) who was acting suspicious from the start (he was ranting about being parked legally). Hiibel didn't want to cooperate and that should have been enough for an arrest because he matched the description that the cops had. As for the girl, she's lucky the cops were so nice to her after they let her back up off the ground. What did she expect to happen after disobeying the cop and jumping out of the car like she was gonna go fight with the guy arresting her dad. The cop saw another out-of-control teenager and didn't want the situation to get out of hand. If they really hadn't been hitting each other, like the website claims, the entire situation could have been avoided if the Hiibel family had just remained calm and explained what was going on to the police.

      This case sounds pretty important because of the possibility that everyone may soon be required to have an ID on demand. So get upset about that, but don't feel bad for the Hiibels, they deserve everything they get, which will, unfortunately, be nothing more than a lot of time in court, and possibly, that $250 fine.

    10. Re:Better yet, watch the video by MegaFur · · Score: 1

      Your sig seems to be at odds with your post.

      --
      Furry cows moo and decompress.
    11. Re:Better yet, watch the video by 4of12 · · Score: 1, Insightful

      This guy was arrested on a thinly veiled charge of failing to supply ID, and failing to supply ID is not a crime - in fact it's a constitutionally protected right.

      Well said.

      But even the ability of a public citizen to fail to supply an identification will become moot before long.

      Cops will access to networks of fixed and mobile videocameras linked to headquarters with facial recognition software that will return an audio feed to them telling exactly who you are, where you've been recently recently, if you have any record, etc.

      So even if the SCOTUS is screwy enough to rule against this guy's right to not supply an ID, the ruling either way will be practically meaningless within a decade.

      --
      "Provided by the management for your protection."
    12. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      under US law something that you already have said that you don't know much about... the cop did NOT have cause to ask for ID at the start. The reason? "The ability to check for" its called fishing....

      The report of a possible crime is not probable cause in this case. The officer would first have to ascertain IF a crime HAD been committed BEFORE asking for the ID. Because if there is no crime there is no cause to detain the citizen!

      In watching the early part of the video the officer does say that there was the report of a fight. Okay that is kosher. When he asks for ID the first time the suspect says that he is not carrying any and enquires why he should be carrying any (good legal precedent is on his side there is NO requirement to carry ID on you in this country. As a matter of fact the early debates on our social security system back in the 30's touched on this: It was feared that the soc sec card would be used as a national ID card or "papers" a la Europe). The tone is non confrontational and the suspect offers to go to jail if the officer has a problem with him not having ID (not stated but implied by context). At this point the officer continues to badger the suspect FOR the ID he has said that he is NOT carrying!

      He should have instead checked with the driver......

      And what is up with his partner? This dud of a side seat is slow in approaching the vehicle and doesn't appear to say anything or do anything until he grabs the girl coming to the defense of her father.

      Does this case need to be before the USSC? Yes. Why? Because the idiots in charge allowed it to get this far! Instead of looking at the tape and throwing out the fine with an apology for the treatment and admonishment to the officer regarding proper procedure... they allow what is essentially a misunderstanding and couple of people not being 100% on the ball that day to grow into a federal case!

      In short they need to be spanked! Poor judgment has been allowed to compound and stack up....

    13. Re:Better yet, watch the video by rvega · · Score: 1


      End of story.

      Clearly it's not the end of the story. Hiibel was arrested for failing to produce an ID in circumstances where, apparently (otherwise the Supreme Court would not have agreed to hear the case) there is some doubt whether the police have the authority to make such a demand. That's what this is all about. This case tests the limits of police power.

    14. Re:Better yet, watch the video by Schmucky+The+Cat · · Score: 1
      But the results of running the ID affect whether he'll be taken back to the station.

      Ba da bing! 5th amendment right against self-incrimination.

  229. Dont expect anything good from this. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    This is the same Supreme court that about 6 months ago ruled that it's OK for a police officer to arrest you for ANY REASON.

    Texas case, seatbelt violation, ticketable ONLY offense, took the woman to jail, sent her child to CPS, impounded car etc. Didn't like her attitude.

    All perfectly legal.

    Expect your notice to show up for mandatory retinal scan any day.

    I've always been a Republican, but I'm carefully constructing my tinfoil hat now.

    I'm going to vote, and I'm arming myself, while I still can, because I don't trust the Democrats as far as I can throw them either, but for different resons.

  230. Big Lebowski reference by Anthracks · · Score: 1

    Say what you like about the tenents of National Socialism Dude, at least it's an ethos.

    --
    Rock over London, Rock on Chicago. Wheaties: Breakfast of Champions.
  231. Re: a possible solution to the problem by CharlieG · · Score: 1

    Of COURSE it's not the way it should be. We also should have cops parking their personal cars in a no standing zone for hours, or running lights to make shift change because they are about to be late, or any one of dozens of things I see every week

    My advice was based upon what I've learned up to this point in my life. Most readers here are, frankly, in their teens and early 20s - the classic 'angry young man'

    What you learn when you get a little older is that often, the BEST and FASTEST way to change things is from inside the system, IF you don't become corrupted by the system. If you can do GOOD (working the parade committee for (name charity here)) while getting inside to the point where the folks in power will LISTEN to you, you get the BEST of both worlds

    --
    -- 73 de KG2V For the Children - RKBA! "You are what you do when it counts" - the Masso
  232. My Bad by rodgster · · Score: 1

    I was wrong. Thank you for correcting me.

    That said, I don't think the current composition of the Supreme Court will rule in a similar manner to the case you've cited. Which I see as a weakening of the Bill of Rights.

    That'll have our Founding Father's spinning in their graves.

    --
    Who will guard the guards?
  233. police interactions info in my journal by guacamolefoo · · Score: 1

    I wrote a piece in my journal on Jan 8th after I found out that a client had consented to a search of his car and confessed to a crime. I think it is helpful and relevant to the "Show me your papers!" issue.

    GF.

  234. You've hit on something by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    and it's so blindingly obvious, it stuns me that more people don't realize it.

    Over the course of your life, you will probably never meet on the street anyone with more power that the average police officer. On his summary judgement, he can deprive you of your liberty, property, even your life, should the circumstances warrant it.

    Now, why in the hell would anyone purposely and unnecessarily antagonize someone like that? Why? If they're as corrupt as some people in this thread claim, why set yourself up as a target for their harassment? Why stupidly and openly proclaim yourself their enemy? I don't understand that philosophy... thousands of years ago, Sun Tzu taught that you fight where you are strong, and your enemy is weak. On the street, you're on the cops turf, and you'll lose that battle every single time. People that have a problem with self-control had better work on it... because being faced by a bad cop on the street is not the time to lose your temper.

    Even if you hate the cops more than syphilis, it's simply in your self-interest to be cool, play deep, be polite, and if necessary, get your pound of flesh later. If the cops in your area are that corrupt, work with friends, get a camcorder, keep a pocket tape recorder running... but fight the battle later, in court, and in the media, where you actually have a prayer of prevailing.

    Mr. Dowd, you've diplayed more wisdom than many in this thread, and as a result will probably enjoy a long and lustrous criminal career. I mod you +1 insightful.

    Like they teach new cops in the academy: smart criminals are seldom caught... dumb ones practically arrest themselves.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:You've hit on something by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 1

      I'll point out that Elwood P Dowd is not my real name. Please, no one go arresting Jimmy Stewart's corpse in my stead.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    2. Re:You've hit on something by number11 · · Score: 1

      you will probably never meet on the street anyone with more power that the average police officer. On his summary judgement, he can deprive you of your liberty, property, even your life...

      Now, why in the hell would anyone purposely and unnecessarily antagonize someone like that?


      If what you're trying to say is, they should be treated with fear and distrust by anyone not in their particular social circle, you've made your point.

  235. Quick question by Yoda117 · · Score: 1

    If this guy was just hanging out, as stated on his website, why did he happen to have a video camera ready to go? Just kinda curious, as I didn't really spend too much time on the site. BTW: it is common procedure to ask for some form of identification in these situations to check to see if there are any warrants outstanding. That said, too many cops abuse what authority they have (there's a reason that the phrase "if they weren't cops, they'd be crooks" came to be).

    1. Re:Quick question by Vegeta99 · · Score: 1

      i'm still downloading the video, but i'd assume it's the police video camera.

    2. Re:Quick question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      "...it is common procedure to ask for some form of identification in these situations to check to see if there are any warrants outstanding."

      It's also common procedure to ask for admissions of guilt, but that doesn't mean you have any obligation to make such admissions.

      "Did you know you have a taillight out?"

      "Uh, yeah, I was going to get it fixed tomorrow..."

      Bingo. You've just bypassed all other procedure and tossed your rights by admitting guilt. If you don't get the ticket after that you should take up playing the lottery.

  236. Re:What if the guy killed her? by psykocrime · · Score: 1

    For that matter, even if the guy was not wanted, and he killed the woman the cop would rightly have been at least fired for not getting a complete story and knowing who to look for. I understand we are heading down the slope to the national number stamped on our foreheads, but honestly; lets get real here...

    We are being real. Reality is that what happened to Mr. Hiibel is clearly a violation of his Constitutional rights, under at least the 4th and 5th amendments.

    As for your "if he was a murderer" supposition... did you watch the video??? The cop arrested the guy, ***WITHOUT EVER EVEN SPEAKING TO THE ALLEGED "VICTIM"***

    All the cop had to do was go over to the daughter, ask her "what's going on??" and get the story straight before trying to play "I want to be on the Cops TV show" or "Mr. Tough Cop" or whatever, and all of this could have been avoided.

    Ya know, I'm sick of people who approve (even tacitly) of the freakin' cops abusing their power like this. If you people want to live in a police state, complete with Gestapo, KGB, etc., please move somewhere else. You and your gestapo are not welcome here.

    --
    // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
  237. Swap IDs with the police by Quizo69 · · Score: 1

    If a police officer asks you for ID, just tell him that you will produce ID if he does the same. Is he asking for your driver's licence? Ask for his. If he refuses, ask why. Then use that same excuse when telling him he can't see yours.

  238. There is an idea for a show by geekoid · · Score: 1

    Follow the police around with a camera. No ride along. Just film what they do.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  239. Learning your rights by Anthracks · · Score: 1

    Are there websites or books from credible sources where you can learn what your rights are in various situations? Things like whether an officer can search your car, whether you have to let an officer knocking on your door in, etc. Things like this always confuse the hell out of me. I realize I could wade through the entire U.S. code and mountains of statutes, but I'd much rather see the Cliff Notes. Any advice?

    --
    Rock over London, Rock on Chicago. Wheaties: Breakfast of Champions.
    1. Re:Learning your rights by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      The ACLU has 'quick cards' for this kind of things. ACLU.org has them. By the way, the answer to both of those questions of yours are, No. You don't have to consent to search of your car, ever. If they have 'probable cause' then the will still search it, but then they don't need your consent. In fact if you give it then, they have even more rights when searching. So NEVER give consent. And you can talk to the cops outside your house, if they want to talk. They can't come in unless you invite them (or you don't complain when they walk in) or they have a search warrant for that exact location or an arrest warrant for someone on the premises.

  240. Are you all deaf and blind!?! by monsieur_magoo · · Score: 1

    Thanks to the "convenient" subtitles in the video on Mr. Hiibel's site we're led to believe the officer asks, "How'd you get home yesterday?". Don't look at the video and listen closely. The officer really says, "How much alcohol have you had to drink?" Why did he ask that? Because besides suspicion of domestic battery the officer was also investigating a DUI and/or public intoxication. I'd be willing to be that Hiibel was driving and pulled over after seeing a cop car. He stood on the passenger side and had his daughter sit in the driver's seat to try and fool the officer into thinking she was the driver. Obviously it worked! Hey Hiibel, thanks for wasting the taxpayer's money! I can't believe this is going to the Supreme Court.

  241. Unfortunately he doesn't have a case by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Look at it from the police's point of view. Suppose when Dudley had refused to identify himself, the police had said okay and left the scene. Then later it transpired that Dudley had caused grevious bodily harm to his daughter and had turned out to be a wanted felon. In that case the police would have been at fault

    In this case the police arrived on the scene in response to a domestic violence report. As such they have a right to detain the suspect and ascertain who he is. This is well established.

    See Illinois v. Wardlow (1999), Alabama v. White (1990), United States v. Sokolow (1989), People v. Bell (1996).

    1. Re:Unfortunately he doesn't have a case by psykocrime · · Score: 1
      Some quotes from Illinois v. Wardlow (emphasis added)

      Respondent Wardlow fled upon seeing a caravan of police vehicles converge on an area of Chicago known for heavy narcotics trafficking. When Officers Nolan and Harvey caught up with him on the street, Nolan stopped him and conducted a protective pat-down search for weapons because in his experience there were usually weapons in the vicinity of narcotics transactions. Discovering a handgun, the officers arrested Wardlow. The Illinois trial court denied his motion to suppress, finding the gun was recovered during a lawful stop and frisk. He was convicted of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. In reversing, the State Appellate Court found that Nolan did not have reasonable suspicion to make the stop under Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1. The State Supreme Court affirmed, determining that sudden flight in a high crime area does not create a reasonable suspicion justifying a Terry stop because flight may simply be an exercise of the right to "go on one's way," see Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491.


      Held: The officers' actions did not violate the Fourth Amendment. This case, involving a brief encounter between a citizen and a police officer on a public street, is governed by Terry, under which an officer who has a reasonable, articulable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot may conduct a brief, investigatory stop. While "reasonable suspicion" is a less demanding standard than probable cause, there must be at least a minimal level of objective justification for the stop. An individual's presence in a "high crime area," standing alone, is not enough to support a reasonable, particularized suspicion of criminal activity, but a location's characteristics are relevant in determining whether the circumstances are sufficiently suspicious to warrant further investigation, Adams v. Williams, 407 U.S. 143, 144, 147--148. In this case, moreover, it was also Wardlow's unprovoked flight that aroused the officers' suspicion. Nervous, evasive behavior is another pertinent factor in determining reasonable suspicion, e.g., United States v. Brignoni-Ponce, 422 U.S. 873, 885, and headlong flight is the consummate act of evasion. In reviewing the propriety of an officer's conduct, courts do not have available empirical studies dealing with inferences from suspicious behavior, and this Court cannot reasonably demand scientific certainty when none exists. Thus, the reasonable suspicion determination must be based on commonsense judgments and inferences about human behavior. See United States v. Cortez, 449 U.S. 411, 418. Officer Nolan was justified in suspecting that Wardlow was involved in criminal activity, and, therefore, in investigating further. Such a holding is consistent with the decision in Florida v. Royer, supra, at 498, that an individual, when approached, has a right to ignore the police and go about his business. Unprovoked flight is the exact opposite of "going about one's business." While flight is not necessarily indicative of ongoing criminal activity, Terry recognized that officers can detain individuals to resolve ambiguities in their conduct, 392 U.S., at 30, and thus accepts the risk that officers may stop innocent people. If they do not learn facts rising to the level of probable cause, an individual must be allowed to go on his way. But in this case the officers found that Wardlow possessed a handgun and arrested him for violating a state law. The propriety of that arrest is not before the Court. Pp. 3--6.


      This case doesn't seem to me to have much bearing on the Hiibel case. Hiibel didn't flee, and he wasn't found to be posessing a handgun, afaik. He did have a knife but nothing we saw on the video indicates that there was anything illegal about his knife.

      The part about "can detain individuals to resolve ambiguities in their conduct" seems like the strongest argument for saying this decision supports the cops in the Hiibel case, but I don't buy it, based on the next highlighted section "If they do not learn facts rising to the level of probable cause, an individual must be allowed to go on his way. " Clearly they can't just keep you there forever, and nothing here suggests that failure to show an ID constitutes evidence of criminal activity.

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    2. Re:Unfortunately he doesn't have a case by psykocrime · · Score: 2, Interesting
      And for a look at the other side of the coin, take a glance at Brown V. Texas



      Two police officers, while cruising near noon in a patrol car, observed appellant and another man walking away from one another in an alley in an area with a high incidence of drug traffic. They stopped and asked appellant to identify himself and explain what he was doing. One officer testified that he stopped appellant because the situation "looked suspicious and we had never seen that subject in that area before." The officers did not claim to suspect appellant of any specific misconduct, nor did they have any reason to believe that he was armed. When appellant refused to identify himself, he was arrested for violation of a Texas statute which makes it a criminal act for a person to refuse to give his name and address to an officer "who has lawfully stopped him and requested the information." Appellant's motion to set aside an information charging him with violation of the statute on the ground that the statute violated the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments was denied, and he was convicted and fined.


      Held:

      The application of the Texas statute to detain appellant and require him to identify himself violated the Fourth Amendment because the officers lacked any reasonable suspicion to believe that appellant was engaged or had engaged in criminal conduct. Detaining appellant to require him to identify himself constituted a seizure of his person subject to the requirement of the Fourth Amendment that the seizure be "reasonable." Cf. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 ; United States v. Brignoni-Ponce, 422 U.S. 873 . The Fourth Amendment requires that such a seizure be based on specific, objective facts indicating that society's legitimate interests require such action, or that the seizure be carried out pursuant to a plan embodying explicit, neutral limitations on the conduct of individual officers. Delaware v. Prouse, 440 U.S. 648 . Here, the State does not contend that appellant was stopped pursuant to a practice embodying neutral criteria, and the officers' actions were not justified on the ground that they had a reasonable suspicion, based on objective facts, that he was involved in criminal activity. Absent any basis for suspecting appellant of misconduct, the balance between the public interest in crime prevention and appellant's right to personal [443 U.S. 47, 48] security and privacy tilts in favor of freedom from police interference. Pp. 50-53.

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    3. Re:Unfortunately he doesn't have a case by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      This is a good point. But in Brown V. Texas the court found that the "the officers lacked any reasonable suspicion". In the Dudley case the officers were responding to a "domestic violence report" which gave them "reasonable suspicion".

      If the court finds for Dudley the precendent will be that police responding to reports of domestic violence will be prohibited from temporarily detaining the suspect or checking his ID.

      I may be wrong but I don't think Dudley will win. Maybe in the 60's he would have had a chance, but with today's court it's unlikey.

  242. Here is the situation by Tetsuo+Hiragama · · Score: 1

    Suppose you're a police officer. Every day of your life is filled with danger; not only on the job, but also at home, from vengeful and spiteful people like the ones here who lurk and unfortunately, sometimes post. Then, the day comes when you pull someone over who may have been on one end of a domestic dispute. You ask for an ID, but he doesn't give it to you. In your "perfect utopia," the suspect wouldn't have to give an officer an ID, so you let him go. Later that night, you're at home, watching the news and the top story is a double family homicide. As it turns out, the suspect you let go had murdered a family earlier that day and had an APB out. Unfortunately, without seeing his ID, you didn't know and he got away. Some time later, after he got away, he went out and mudered another innocent family. Damn, how I wish I could live in your "utopia." It sure does seem a lot safer.

    1. Re:Here is the situation by psykocrime · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Suppose you're a police officer. Every day of your life is filled with danger; not only on the job, but also at home, from vengeful and spiteful people like the ones here who lurk and unfortunately, sometimes post. Then, the day comes when you pull someone over who may have been on one end of a domestic dispute. You ask for an ID, but he doesn't give it to you. In your "perfect utopia," the suspect wouldn't have to give an officer an ID, so you let him go. Later that night, you're at home, watching the news and the top story is a double family homicide. As it turns out, the suspect you let go had murdered a family earlier that day and had an APB out. Unfortunately, without seeing his ID, you didn't know and he got away.

      Do you know what an APB / BOLO is? What it includes? How it's sent out?

      If you do, you'll be aware that an APB / BOLO will generally have more information than just a name. In fact, they don't usually have names. It'll be something more like:

      "Be on the lookout for a middle aged white male, approx 5'9, weight approx. 200 lbs, last seen driving a late model blue sedan, travelling north on NC-58 near the South Carolina line. Suspect is wanted for questioning related to a double murder in SC, and is to be considered armed and dangerous", or something to that effect.

      Now if your hypothetical cop pulls over a late model blue sedan being driven by someone of that description, and he won't show ID, I'd think you're into the area of "probably cause" for an arrest.

      Some time later, after he got away, he went out and mudered another innocent family. Damn, how I wish I could live in your "utopia." It sure does seem a lot safer.

      A couple of comments on that:

      Life is dangerous. Do it long enough, you die. That's a fact of life. Living in a very free country may be slightly more dangerous than living in a more tightly controlled country. That's a trade-off. We in the U.S. generally prefer liberty and freedom over perceived safety.

      I say "perceived" safety because giving in to more of a "police-state" type environment doesn't *necessarily* make things any safer. What if the guy in your scenario had a fake ID which identified him as some upstanding, law abiding citizen from far across the country, and the cop let him go? He still commits your hypothetical double murder. Face it, cops exist primarily as a deterrent to crime, and to investigate crimes after they happen. In general, cops do not routinely interrupt crimes in progress, and prevent double murders, except by blind luck.

      Then there's the issue of safety as a personal responsiblity. If I was the husband / father in the innocent murdered family you describe above, wouldn't I have a responsiblity to have locks on my doors and windows, and make sure they're locked at night? Would I not have a responsiblity to have an alarm system to alert me if my house is broken into while we sleep? Would I not have a responsibility to own a firearm or other weapon for self-defense, and take action to protect my family if need be? And if I'm not home, should my wife and/or kids not be trained in using such a weapon as well?

      The question is, who is fundamentally more responsible for my family's safety, me or the government? I would argue that the answer to that question is quite obviously "me."

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    2. Re:Here is the situation by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      Oh, and just to elaborate further on one detail... you might be tempted to counter my statements above by asking "ok, but what if the guy has a warrant for his arrest out... that would have him identified by name, for sure."

      And you'd probably be correct. If a warrant for the guy's arrest exists, presumably his name is associated with it. However... there's a glitch with this argument. All the sheriff's departments and police departments in the world, aren't completely and seamlessly integrated. Yes, there is NCIC / DCI / PIN, but the thing is, there's no easy way to search arrest warrants from all jurisdictions simultaneously. In fact, not all arrest warrants are even in NCIC / DCI / PIN.

      So, if the guy is wanted in the local jurisdiction, then yeah, running a 10-27/10-29 search on him by name would turn up the warrant. But if the warrant is in a different jurisdiction, it would likely go unnoticed. Yes, the dispatcher has the option to PIN message or call or fax other jurisdictions and ask them to run a 10-27/10-29 check, but the thing is, unless you have a reason to think somebody is wanted in a particular jurisdiction, how would you know where to ask them to check?

      So, FWIW, even in the hypothetical suspect has a warrant out for his arrest, there's no guarantee that getting his ID and running it will find the warrant. Once again, illustrating that police are fundamentally limited in their ability to actually prevent crimes in that fashion.

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    3. Re:Here is the situation by dave420-2 · · Score: 1
      Maybe if the cops in the US stopped beating up black men (LAPD), raping women (LAPD), or using broom handles as sex toys (NYPD), they'd command more respect. Also, if they hired more intelligent people, there would be less tension between average joe and the boys in blue.

      Oh yeah, and the cops know they'll be in danger long before they even sign up as cops, so that's a moot point.

  243. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by TKinias · · Score: 3, Insightful

    scripsit nursedave:

    I was hoping the SS would take him out back

    I prefer to live in a state where there is no SS to take people ``out back''... But maybe I'm just biased after that whole Holocaust business...

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    In principio creauit Linus Linucem.
  244. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by indianajones428 · · Score: 1

    If the program were to show that, they would no longer be invited to film the action. Just like you never see critical reporters in white house press conferences.

    I wouldn't go that far.

    From what I've heard about the show (can't tell you if this is true or not), if you are arrested for committing a crime that was caught on videotape, and then convicted of that crime, the network does not need permission to air the tape.

    If you are found innocent, then they must get your explicit consent, and they wouldn't go through all that trouble when they have reels and reels of convicted criminals to show.


    Any lawyers/law students wanna confirm/deny that that's what happens?

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    When a thing has been said, and said well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it. --Anatole France
  245. Yes, this is news for nerds. by StarKruzr · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Many geeks are extremely concerned with matters of privacy and due process. Witness (for example) the EFF, which is dedicated wholly to the protection of Internet privacy.

    It may not relate to the internet, but every geek has a vested interest in not allowing privacy and due process to slip.

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    +++ATH0
    1. Re:Yes, this is news for nerds. by TrollBridge · · Score: 0, Troll
      Like I said...

      "Sure, it may be 'Stuff that matters', but there's a lot of other non-tech stuff that matters that doesn't make it onto Slashdot because it's not news for nerds. What makes this (decidedly anti-Ashcroft) story special?"

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      There's a Mercedes gap too. I want one and can't afford one, but it's not government's job to do anything about it.
  246. Re:Your best bet is to get over it by incom · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Your best bet is to get over it, it happens

    How is that your best bet? If you just accept it things will never change. I for one cannot accept injustice, and stop and nothing to correct situations, even if it takes years, or a lifetime. Everytime you swallow something like this, a little piece of your soul dies.

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    True genius is grasping a situation like a peice of fruit, and peircing it just right so that it drains dry.
  247. Yeah. We know.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm not flame-baiting. I'm not laughing.

    That would require a sense of humor. Why not move to Quebec where everyone is a tiresome thinskinned humorless loser? It'd be like that Bee-girl video only without smiles and with frostbite.

    And because you love horrible tasteless jokes:
    What's the difference between a Pizza and a Jew? Pizzas don't scream when you put them in the oven.

  248. Catch Chappele Show last night? by bobobobo · · Score: 1
    As a Latino living here in the United States(I was born here, my parents and both sets of grandparents are all naturalized citizens) I can very well sympathize with your pain. I live here on the west coast and was born and raised in Southern California. Needless to say I've been pulled over from everything from "your tags looks like they've been stolen"(huh?), to the obvious: "someone fitting your description was just seen in the vicinity of blah blah blah."

    Anyway last night on the Dave Chappelle show they did a skit in which they point out how there seems to exist two justice systems in this country. One for the rich(not always white) folk. And one for poor(usually minorities, but not always) people. The latter is usually concerned with the draconian drug laws in this country. The former for Enron type white collar embezzlers. Anyway the jist of the skit, was what if the justice systems were reversed, what if your stereotypical crack dealer was given carte blanche to make a mockery of our justice system, treated gingerly by an obsequious police dept and given a two month stint at Club Fed. While the white collar criminal was subjected to humiliation, denial of basic rights and a long mandatory stint in pound me in the ass prison.

    It was a hilarious skit, but by the end I wasn't laughing at all, as it is sickeningly true. A white collar criminal who embezzles millions of dollars, pisses away the pensions of hundreds or thousands of employees, destroys countless lives, is practically given just a slap on the wrist. Whereas a two-bit drug user perhaps only destroying himself or those immediately around him is given a huge mandatory sentence turning him into a hardened criminal and a bigger detriment to society upon his release. I try not to focus on racism in this country as it is gradually going away, but the divide between rich and poor and the buying off of justice in this country regardless of color is definitely widening...

    1. Re:Catch Chappele Show last night? by indefinite · · Score: 1
      Absolutely right, you only missed one strong point. Rich-people-crimes are usually depicted as scams on the poor/middle class. It is important to note that in many cases the crimes are much more severe. Hidden behind corporate protection are decisions which many times kill people. There are limitless cases of how people's lives were weighted against profit.

      We need to always remind this fact.

  249. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well, I know from personal experience that most cops really won't chase you on foot for any longer than 200 meters before they lose steam. Most of them will simply run at you for a little bit, then run back to their car and try to chase you down in the car. If you have a wooded area near by, you are almost assured of getting away as long as you can run for a little while without getting tired yourself. At full sprint I was seemingly twice as fast as any police officer I ran from and could run full sprint for about 300-400 meters. I know I'm no distance runner and while I was above average in school as far as speed, I was by no means the fastest. So anyway, the point I was getting at was that cops lose foot chases *all the time*. I know that I'm not alone in having had good success evading them regularly.

    Car chases are a different animal alltogether. I know its quite possible to 'get away' in a car chase with a cop but it is several orders of magnitude more difficult. Those cruisers are *fast* and you have either be extremely skilled and have a powerful car yourself, or extremely lucky. That said, I know a few people who have evaded the police in a car, but I know a lot more who got caught.

    I never personally got into a car chase with a cop, but I have been in, I think, 6 maybe 7 foot chases and never got caught.

  250. idiot, it's his daughter by bratgrrl · · Score: 3, Informative

    christ, none of you retards read anything, do you. She's 17 and seeing her dad arrested- rather upsetting, I think.

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    SCO is weenies
    Gator is Spyware
    Microsoft is thugs

  251. no probable cause by bratgrrl · · Score: 2, Insightful

    No, Dove didn't. A phone call means he needs to investigate. He did not investigate. He did not even check on the supposed victim, nor did the other thug, er, trooper, he didn't even talk to her. Hiidel was arrested for not showing ID. Well sorry bucko, that's not something you can be arrested for.

    What Deputy Dawg and his gang of bullies did was prove once again why we need the Bill of Rights, and more police oversight. Those three morons escalated what should have been a legitimate investigation into a pointless, needless confrontation. Idiots like that should not be cops.

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    SCO is weenies
    Gator is Spyware
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  252. Happened to me once. by Jafafa+Hots · · Score: 1

    I was arrested for not producing an ID once.

    Of course, the cops lied on the arrest report and gave a completely false reason for my arrest.

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    This space available.
  253. question and my story... by morcheeba · · Score: 1

    question (and I know I'm asking this on slashdot, so I won't take it as gospel): without probable cause, they can't have a k9 search, can they? You were just being nice (in a time-consuming manner that got your point across), right?

    Ok, here's the story of the night I pulled over a cop in the suburbs of D.C.:

    I was driving home from work late one night (~12pm) and it's about a 15 minute drive. For some reason, I see a lot of cop cars and they are all pass me at high speed and take different exits (they weren't all going to the same place). Two of them have lights on and I happily get out of their way. Three of them don't have their flashers and I gasp to myself - "oh my god a drunk is going to rear-end me". It was this last one w/o lights that pushed me over the edge.

    I'm about three blocks from my house (speed limit 35 on a six-lane road, and rightfully so because it's hilly and people can't see you when they are pulling out of their driveways), and I look in my rear-view and see one of these high-speed cars. I was all alone in the inner lane, but I don't have enough time to get out of his way. He passes me, and as soon as I see he's a cop, I start flashing my high beams - mostly in protest, but also to warn innocent motorists ahead. After a few of my flashes, he lets off the gas and coasts to a stop (again, no blue lights) - coincidently across the street from my house. It took quite a while for me going 35 mph to reach him; I'd guess he was almost double my speed -- conservatively 60+.

    I pull into my parking space and he flips on the blue lights and pulls up behind me. After running my plates, he comes to the window. I calmly explain that I live at the house, how it's a dangerous place to speed, that I see it all the time there, and seeing it that many times that night just pushed me over the edge. I asked him to please use his blue lights when going fast.

    He said he couldn't do that because he might give a heads-up to the evildoers (my word) at the scene he's rushing to. No convincing him, even with the driveway/poor-visibilty argument. Never mind that all the other two light-less officers I saw that night turned off onto other major roads and could clearly have used their lights for a good portion of their trips. I don't know exactly where my officer was going, but obviously it wasn't as important as some law-abiding citizen flashing his lights.

    He was nice and let me go. Hopefully my message sank in and he didn't want to admit it to me, but I'm not sure.

    Part of my sensitation to speeders in front of my house is that, before my office moved, I used to walk to work across all six lanes.

    1. Re:question and my story... by A+Binary+Rebel · · Score: 1

      IANAL however I belive that at least here in the state of Missouri a K-9 unit can be used as a means to gain probable cause. For instance in this sort of case while he and the officer cannot enter you vehicle they can walk the dog around the exterior then if the dog alerts to something the officer has probable cause to enter and do a more invasive search. Hence ask what the dog does to when he alerts other wise the dog will blink and they will say there it is. Also the dog should most definatly indicate a specific area.

      Its late and I'm not checking my spelling.

  254. RFID is a potential answer. by openmtl · · Score: 2, Funny
    You need to be implanted with RFID chips. That way you can transmit a unique ID. The trick is to store the ID codes in a database (TIA like) and have it flaged as either issuing the details immediately or have the database raise a court order asking permission to issue the name details. That way peoples rights are kept with out all the hassle of carrying around little bits of paper.

    Of course other biometric methods could work but RFID is successful with trackng other valuable animals like hourses and dogs. Unfortunately though, identity theft would be a lot more painful !

    Don't like that view of the world ? - well this is the country that accepts that you can't get a beer without showing ID. You reap what you sow.

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  255. rights by Loconut1389 · · Score: 1

    You know what, if a police officer tells you to do something you do it and worry about suing them later. If they really had gotten a call about a potential battery situation the police have no reason to believe him whatsoever. He's lucky they didnt draw weapons on him. Now after reading the transcript, its obvious that both the officer and dudly are not the smartest of beings. Had this case occurred in Oakland, CA or South Central LA, this would have never gotten anywhere. I dont see a case for him either. Yes his daughter was mistreated, especially considering that she was the one purportedly being battered, or at least most likely to be in the majority of situations, so I believe she would have a case, but not him. I think the judge should and ultimately will reject the case or rule in favor of the state.

  256. Re:Solution... by rpozz · · Score: 1

    Has anyone actually watched the video? The guy is being as much of an obstructive smart ass as possible, and his daughter is in a hysterical and psychotic state.

    The police are left with two choices, either to leave them to possibly kill each other, or to take them in for questioning, as they totally refuse to cooperate in public.

    They both got what they deserved.

  257. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by nocomment · · Score: 1

    actually I remember this one episode where a cop goofed and blew down the wrong door of a suspected drug house.

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  258. Heh. by drosselmeyer · · Score: 1

    You haven't been to Moscow in a while, have you? :)

    You have to carry your papers always in this city for the last five years or so, without an ID you can end up in loads upon loads of trouble. That's the way the city government keeps out illegal immigrants.

    Oh, there's a good point though - they don't call people "comrade" any more.

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    In Soviet Russia... RUSSIANS comment on YOU.
  259. I'm not sure about this by 0x0d0a · · Score: 2, Interesting

    3. You do not have to show them identification if you don't want to. This does not apply if you are in your car and driving, and are pulled over: then you must produce Driver's ID. If you are a cyclist, like me, you have to have some kind of ID if you a cycling on the road, but it does not have to be a Driver's license.

    Watching this video, this guy is making a lot of mistakes. Look, I don't like dealing with the police, but if your real intent is to be left alone to exercise your freedoms (and not to just cause trouble), you are well advised to:


    I'm not entirely sure about this, and it may vary from state to state.

    In West Virginia, driving without a driver's license in your posession is a misdemeanor. However, you will not be charged if you can produce the license in court.

    Note that the man was *not* actually driving the vehicle (and was, in fact, outside of the vehicle) when the officer came by. The vehicle could have been driven by the man's daughter, by someone else if the truck broke down and someone went for help, or God knows what. I'm not sure whether there might be case law in the area clarifying whether an officer can ask for a driver's license from the person who seems likely to be driving the truck, but I don't think that it's as clear cut as you think it is. There was no point where the officer could clearly establish that the man had been operating the vehicle.

    Furthermore, the officer asked specifically for some kind of ID. He did not ask to see a driver's license. I'm not sure whether this is an issue, and it does come off as a bit nitpicky, but it might be a legal issue.

    The man asked whether he was being arrested, and if so, why. If the officer intended to arrest him, he needed to give him the reason he was being arrested, and chose not to do so. If you are right, that the man was being arrested under suspicion of driving without a license, then the officer should have told him so.

    I have to say that my guess is that the officer doesn't often run across people who refuse to give him their license, and probably acted inappropriately, since it's not like training in what to do in such a case is necessary very often.

    I'm (personally) willing to give policemen some leeway for violating procedure if they're in a situation where it's difficult for them to make a clear judgement call. Perhaps they think someone is shooting at them, and they yell "Freeze" instead of "Freeze, Police!". That's not great, but at least you have someone operating in fight-or-flight with a split second to make a decision. The sheriff had no reason to think that the man was a danger, and had all the time in the world to make his decision. He didn't follow procedure.

    I'm not a police officer, but I think the first thing I would have done is separate the man and the girl, and second make sure that the girl is okay. If the man asks why he's being asked for identification, there is absolutely no legal reason that I can think of for the officer to refuse to say that he's investigating possible domestic violence or battery.

    Police officers are human too. They have bad days, just like me. They make mistakes, and I don't think that they can be held to a perfect standard. However, if they make mistakes, then they (well, the state) needs to take the consequences of its actions. In this case, that means not getting the $250 fine. Such is life. Perhaps, in the future, the officer will be more forthcoming if the man asks what the officer is doing.

    I agree that the man should not have gotten upset, but he probably didn't have a couple of days to plan exactly what he was going to do, and he was clearly already upset when the officer came along -- he managed to make himself calm for the beginning, and only got upset when the officer violated procedure.

  260. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well this footage has to be somewhere, hopefully it will be leaked sometime. There probably isn't anything too bad on tape since they know it's getting taped for tv, and will be on their best behavior. You know, avoid being outwardly racist and stuff.

  261. 974 comments by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes, I think nerds must be interested in this topic

  262. just tell him "no" by beni1207 · · Score: 1

    You do know that you can tell a cop you don't want him to search your person or property, right? If they had probable cause and the legal right to search you anyway, they wouldn't be asking. If they ask and you say no they can't touch you (unless they can see something on you or in your car which gives them probable cause - i.e if he'd seen that bud while standing outside the car he could search it without asking).

    Also, if they try to say that your refusal to allow a search is probably cause and allows them to search without consent, it's horseshit. That question was specifically dealt with in the Supreme Court and simply denying a search is not grounds for searching you.

  263. DUI laws by JimBobJoe · · Score: 1

    If anyone pulls off a roadway and parks their car, they have to be aware that at some point there will be law enforcement who cruise by and will see them.

    On an incidental note, you can get a DUI in many states simply for being drunk and sitting in the driver's seat with your keys near you.

    Often, someone who is drunk starts driving, realizes they are drunk, and figured out that they shouldn't be driving, so they do everyone a favor and pull off the side of the road. Then they get a DUI. (My Ohio changed this law, and such a situation here will not result in a DUI, it will result in some greatly lessened ticket.)

  264. bad case for a precedent? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    IANAL

    Is anyone else concerned that the case of a drunken belligerent sociopath is going to set a precedent for holding up our Constitutional rights?

    lets take a look at the claims: Officer says it is about domestic violence, but only cares about ID. Never checks condition of the possible victim.
    well, he has the abuser away from the the victim, and as he may have been able to see that she is not bleeding to death, perhaps he thought to separate them to get information. this is a common interrogation technique.

    He wasn't drunk driving. SHE was driving. they had stopped and parked so he could have a smoke.
    Riiiiiiiight. SHE had to stop driving so HE could smoke. and she slides over to the passenger side so she can talk to him while he smokes.

    She is beaten by the cops.
    The other cop is trying to talk to her about the domestic abuse tip, and she sees her dad get arrested and freaks out. she attempts to force open the PASSENGER SIDE DOOR (though SHE is DRIVING). why is she trying to do this? her father is being arrested, very mildly, and she assaults the cop. Then she wants to rush the other cop. This website appears to believe that if disturbed woman assaults you and then rushes toward another person you should LET HER!

    The police officer asks for ID 11 times before carting off the nice man to jail.
    The officer asks for ID twice before the nice man TELLS him to take him to jail.

    Best that dumb cop can come up with is "I'm investigating an investigation." This is a complete lie. At the point where the posted transcript says this, the officer says "I'm investigating a fight."

    "Deputy Lee Dove of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department came on the scene - siren a-wailing - in response to a domestic violence report. "
    I can't seem to hear a siren "a-wailing." While I appreciate the "down-homey-ness" of the phrase, is even this wrong? Maybe they meant the lights were "a-flashin."

    I would prefer a self-styled defender of the constitution not also have to lie on his website to garner sympathy. I suppose that is too much to ask for.

    I do hope he wins, since the law itself is ridiculous, but I hope they re-arrest him for being drunk in public, disrespectful to an officer, and his daughter for assault.

    1. Re:bad case for a precedent? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful
      "Is anyone else concerned that the case of a drunken belligerent sociopath is going to set a precedent for holding up our Constitutional rights?"

      You seem to be blissfully unaware that many if not most of the cases that set precedents recognizing or upholding our Constitutional rights involve unsavory, even despicable defendants and usually serious, sometimes unspeakably horrible crimes. Look up Miranda for an example. It's the nature of the system. People whose rights have not been violated have nothing to take to court or on appeal, and most of those who find themselves at the receiving end of abuses do so as a side effect of their proclivity to interact negatively with authority. Also, it's easier and safer for anyone in authority to abuse someone in an inferior, indefensible position, such as a bad actor. The good guys tend to have little contact with authority and, when they do, tend to conduct themselves in ways that do less to invite abuse and more to communicate that abuse may well engender consequences. It's entirely logical that many of the criminal cases that rise to the Supreme Court involve distasteful people and matters.

    2. Re:bad case for a precedent? by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      I do hope he wins, since the law itself is ridiculous, but I hope they re-arrest him for being drunk in public, disrespectful to an officer, and his daughter for assault.

      Since when is disrespect illegal???? Can you say "First Amendment????"

      And who exactly did his daughter "assault?" I've watched the tape, and I don't see any assault going on. I see a police officer preventing a young lady from exiting her vehicle (thereby interfering with her right to "carry on with her business"), and then tackling and pinning her to the ground when she does exit the vehicle.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
  265. They just keep observing... by tentimestwenty · · Score: 1

    If someone doesn't identify themselves in most places it's not a crime. That's the whole point. It might seem odd in certain circumstances, but that only gives cause for the officer to observe further. It's not the suggestion of a crime. That's the line that was crossed.

  266. Re:What is there to hide? by JimBobJoe · · Score: 1

    Namely, they love their own authority, and they love to wield it. Anything you do that questions their authority provokes a canned response: time to harass you, arrest you, or otherwise ensure you know they're the one with the power.

    Add to that one more issue with police: they are happy to shoot the messenger.

    No doubt you can find examples of people who call up the police asking for help, and then find themselves in trouble for one thing or another.

    As I like to say, you could be being beaten in your own car, and sure, the police will stop that from happening, but at the same time, they will write you a ticket for having expired plates.

    I'm always hesistant to call them.

  267. Courtesy is the word I'd use by The+Tyro · · Score: 2

    No... my question to you is this: why would you purposely act like a potential threat and gratuitously antagonize someone who can cause you great harm, inconvenience, and expense? The likelihood of that officer being a bad cop is low, but even if he's not, why are you going to reduce his chances of cutting you a break to absolutely zero by spitting in his eye? I simply don't understand it... What's wrong with being polite? Is it worth that much to you to be able to polish that attitude, have your pride, indulge your childish fit of anger and tell off that cop? I can't tell you how much further simple good manners will get you. Besides, didn't your mother teach you that just because someone else is brusque, that it's no excuse for you to be rude in return? Good grief... Some of you people... borderline misanthropes.

    Back to the topic: I'd say fear is going a little too far... but a respect for what that cop can do to you isn't a bad thing to keep in mind.

    Now, you may think it's your God-given right be be as big an ass as possible to everyone you meet, especially cops... well, that's fine... but that won't stop me from calling you a fool for doing so, because you're the ONLY one who will suffer.

    Save your rebuttal for the appropriate venue, where it might actually succeed. On the street is NOT that venue.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:Courtesy is the word I'd use by number11 · · Score: 1

      But of course, I didn't advocate being impolite or antagonistic. Doing so is stupid. When you handle a rattlesnake, you should do so with great care. However, there's a difference between being considerate and polite because someone deserves it, and doing so because they're dangerous. A person, whether LEO or civilian, deserves consideration and politeness to the extent that they are considerate, respectful, and polite to you. An arrogant person, a person who throws his weight around, doesn't deserve squat, though it may be prudent to act like they do.

      No, I didn't advocate spitting in his eye. That would be assault.

      I thought the video was telling not so much because of the guy, but because of what the cops did to the woman who they believed was the victim of a domestic assault.

  268. Media plays a role by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    It would be negligent to forget the media's roal in the downward spiral that we have witnessed since WWII. (And maybe even before that, but I don't want to split hairs here.)

    After reading up a bit on how the diamond market has been allowed to pull such a mass marketing lie over the American public it's pretty clear that the powers that be have no desire to see truth in marketing. Now just think about that, if they don't really care that we have been lied to about something as simple as some silly stone that has an inflated value for the greater glory of some very few why would they have the 1st care about how the media spins things to fit whatever purposes that serves them best.

    Freedom of the press was once viewed as a cornerstone as part of our freedoms. They would watch out for any sort of acts that might impune upon this country but as of right now they spin whatever the powers that be want them to and don't really look out for the people, except when it might make them a buck.

    Of course the Internet has thrown a monkey wrench into that plan and they are doing all that they can to squelch it, but thats a whole other story.

    For now, for right now, Joe 6 pack and Jessica box'o'wine gets her news at 11 from CNN/FOX/Local whatever and they dictate what "the world is". They view themselves as "informed" because they have watched the news every day and hell if you try to argue with them about it, what kind of creds can you stack up to Dan Rather? I mean hell, he is part of that Great Generation that Won the War. (Nevermind all the other nasty stuff they did. Those things don't make good books.)

    Anyway, I've rambeled on enough about how much the media disgusts me. If you have a clue you allready know this, if you are on the fence well look into it, if you think that I'm some raving loony go back to watching FOX News as there is no saving you now.

    (PS. What is the anwser to the problem that exists right now with such things as the lies in the diamond market? Why a constant and unrelenting flogging of the FACTS on every news station 24/7 until even the dimmist of fools understand why those silly rocks have no real value. If we could do even that little thing imo we would be on the road back to honesty in our media but I hold no real hope of ever seeing that in my lifetime.)

  269. Torrent for the hi_res quicktime movie by phUnBalanced · · Score: 2, Informative

    This is a movie of the incident in question.

    http://tracker.apt202.net/no_id_arrest_LARGE.mov.t orrent

    Please keep your downloads open. Thanks!

    Anyone with any contact to the webmaster please tell them to provide that link if they would like.

  270. Transcript incomplete by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

    I agree with you, but the subtitles and transcript are decidedly not complete, and are decidedly not complete in favor of the man and his daughter.

    At one point (after being slammed to the ground and being handcuffed), the teenage daughter says that the officers are "fuckers" or something along those lines that the transcript leaves out. I think that the man might have been muttering curses from inside the patrol car (there's something going on in the background), and that was left out. Finally, there were some places where the transcript read "garbled" -- and some of these were where the guy was being more rude to the officer (not that this has the slightest bit of bearing on the legality of the whole thing).

    1. Re:Transcript incomplete by 0111+1110 · · Score: 1

      Guess they were lucky they werent arrested for "cursing in the presence of a peace officer". You just know that such a law has got to be on the books. I would love to see those kinds of laws (and there are many) get to the supreme court. Not that the supreme court gives a rats a$$ about the first amendment when "peace officers" may be in the area.

      --
      Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
    2. Re:Transcript incomplete by 1029 · · Score: 1

      You can hear exactly what the guy was saying from the back of the patrol car. He kept saying "Real big man. Yeah, real big fucking men." as they slammed his daughter/friend/whomever to the ground and kept her pinned there. So what? I'd be pretty pissed as well at these apes roughing up that girl.

      As for her screaming, well she certainly did curse at them quite a bit after they cuffed her. Who cares? Is cursing a crime, or an assault/threat to the officers? Not to mention this wasn't until AFTER they pinned her down.

      There just really wasn't any reason for the officers to behave as they did.

      --
      - I love animals. I try to eat at least one a day.
    3. Re:Transcript incomplete by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      No, it was before he started saying "Real big man". It's much quieter -- mumbling rather than yelling.

      I'm not saying that the officers were in the right, just that the transcript was definitely made by people arguing in favor of the guy and his daughter.

  271. What a-holes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Those cops need to have their arses beat. I can't believe such abuse. Those brutal bastards should be locked away for assault.

  272. Okay, this post actually scares me by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

    This officer was doing his job - its not "normal" for people to walk around very late at night in a residential area,

    Jesus fucking *Christ*. Has our society really devolved this far?

    Farenheight 451 was written after exactly an incident like this one. I thought that that was an abnormal and somewhat disturbing event. Now we consider it standard to stop and question people walking after a certain time?

    Christ.

  273. it was a by RedHatLinux · · Score: 1

    reference to the Secret Service not the Nazi's SS.

  274. Re:If there was "no way", then they wouldn't hear by nacturation · · Score: 1


    The Supreme Court is a court of limited appelate jurisdiction...

    If you keep on talking about this juris-my-diction crap, you can cram it up your ass.

    --
    Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
  275. As a police officer by Tiny+Rhino · · Score: 5, Insightful
    This is probably a bad place to post my opinions after looking at the feeling of the majority here. But everyone is entitled to their opinions, and everyone bases their opinions about police officers on their personal experiences. Unfortunately many things that officers routinely do is often misunderstood by those interacting with them. But I don't really have the time to get into that.

    Concerning this case: I believe that the deputy is probably a good officer with good intentions, as most officers are based on my experience. Unfortunately I believe that he could have handled this call in a better way. This is an example of how I like to think I would handle a call of this nature. (If I was ALONE WITHOUT backup on the scene)

    D: Sir, step back here and talk to me. H: Ok D: Listen, I'm here because we got a call about some fighting out here, what's going on? H: Nothing I'm not parked illegally. D: Ok sir can I see your driver's license please? H: Nope, no way, no how. D: Do you have any ID on you? H: None that I'm going to show you. D: Ok listen, I want to know who you are and I want to go check on that person in the truck. I want to make sure your not going to run off so please give me your ID. H: Why? D: I'm not going to leave you back here without knowing who you are or having some other way of making sure your not going to attack me or run off. You know who I am, but I don't know you from a mass murderer. I'm not saying you did anything wrong, but for my safety I like to know who I'm dealing with. H: Not showing you nothing! D: Ok sir if you don't cooperate with me I'm going to place you in investigative detention, which means for my safety while I figure out what is going on, I'm going to put some cuffs on you and sit you down while I conduct my investigation. H: What are you investigating? D: A call for an assault or domestic violence. H: Why don't you just take me to jail now? Here. (Holds out hands) D: Ok sir put your hands behind your back, understand that your not under arrest but being detained. (cuffs and sits him on the ground) D: (approaches truck and talks to daughter)

    At that point I figure out that their has PROBABLY not been an assault because both stories (obtained seperately from the two parties) seems to match up. However, as a good law enforcement officer, it does not end there. There could be something going on here that is not readily apparent. Daughter could be not talking because she thinks dad is going to beat her (it does happen!) Daughter could not be daughter at all, but kidnapped or a runaway being harbored by this guy. Somebody called the police for a reason! I will not end my investigation until I check both names for local warrants and the national computer for warrants, missing, etc, etc. Once I am satisfied that everything is on the up-and-up, I release pops from the cuffs and everyone goes on their way. With a proper warning to pops not to drive since he is intoxicated.

    Again, it's easy for me to say what I would have done having ALREADY SEEN what happened. This officer was trying to do the right thing although perhaps got a little too caught up on the whole ID thing.

    The moral is: Fine, if you don't want to tell me anything about anything, you will sit there in cuffs till I figure out what is going on. If nothing, your free to go. If something, THEN your under arrest. People tend to assume as soon as cuffs go on that you are under arrest. This is not always the case, and as an officer I always tell people: you're not under arrest yet, but you're also not free to go. You are in what's called investigative detention. At this point it's basically for an officer's safety, and the officer has a reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred. An officer can hold a suspect there on the scene for a "reasonable" amount of time to figure out what's happening.

    In this case, I believe that the deputy has reasonable suspicion to detain the father. 1st- the call for domestic battery. 2nd- intoxicated, somewhat belligerent man s

    1. Re:As a police officer by fuzzybunny · · Score: 3, Insightful
      I believe that the deputy is probably a good officer with good intentions, as most officers are based on my experience

      You argue well, young jedi, and my general experience with cops meshes with yours (although I have known many who could get a bit over-enthusiastic about their view of the "law" as an immutable, nearly religious concept.)

      However, one of the finer points of a democratic society based on the rule of law is that it should not depend on the professionalism, dedication and reasonableness (is that a word?) of individuals tasked with its enforcement. I'm not trying to set up a straw man argument here, but what you see with a lot of monarchists is that they support the concept of an absolute ruler based on the ideal of a "benevolent tyrant". That is, one who means well and who has the power to do good things despite the opposition of idiots and evil men.

      That said, what happens when said power falls into the hand of someone who's not-so-benevolent? No security mechanism in the world can guarantee that this will not happen. Likewise, even if 99% of cops are good, what's stopping you from hitting the one bad apple, or maybe even just a guy having a bad day?

      Perhaps I'm stretching a bit here, but I find the title of this /. article extremely appropriate. Pragmatically speaking, I, as a (generally) law-abiding citizen don't have a problem with having my papers checked. It doesn't really harm me, even if I may believe that its impact on everybody's safety is miniscule. However, I do not want this to become the standard, as I fear the prospect of a nazi or soviet or islamic or whatever state arising, with the powers (obtained under the premise of good, responsible police using them only when appropriate) to check my ID, detain me, take it from there.

      And YES some cops have a sense of humor.

      Yes, who doesn't, but alas, this "sense of humor" could also be applied to a bunch of cop buddies of a UK friend of mine who made a sport of playing 'car check bingo' (i.e. pulling over drivers based on the color of their cars--"oop, I need a red one. There's one! Let's check his license!") Sounds hilarious, I agree, but not if I'm the driver.

      the Supreme Court will NOT uphold any law that requires showing ID to law enforcement for NO reason.

      Probably right too--however, define "reason". Never forget that there have been and are countries where "probably cause" includes "he looks like an enemy of the state". Or arab. Or jew. Or whatever.

      You'd never do that, you say? You know what, I believe you. I honestly do. Nor would the guys who helped us chase the drug-addict trying to kick down our door, or the cops who brought my girlfriend home when she had an accident, or the ex-cop who ran one of my IT projects. But the 20-something combat-booted cocksuckers who wanted to impress their female colleagues (okay, I would too, I have something for cute chicks in uniform carrying submachine guns, sue me) by picking on the guy in a sports car, well, I don't hesitate to believe for a second that they would. And they're just immature, badly-trained idiots. I shudder to think what happens if were that aforementioned, purely hypothetical one-in-a-hundred bad apple who really is a card carrying member of the Michigan militia in his free time.

      Oh, and as an aside, you shouldn't rule out replying to flames and trolls--they're sometimes the most amusing ones :-)
      --
      Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage
    2. Re:As a police officer by Queuetue · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's interesting to see how a cop thinks about this sort of situation - and interesting to see how you ignore a citizen's rights, probably just because whoever trained you did.

      If you ask me to show you papers, and I say no, then the answer is no. I'm not required to testify against myself - thats the fifth amendment. I'm also not required to give you permission to search and sieze anything in my "persons, houses, papers, and effects". That's the 4th amendment, and the law of the land.

      If you have cause to arrest me, then go ahead. Seeing my ID won't make any difference in cause. Otherwise, I'm innocent until you can prove me otherwise, and you should go about your business.

      Cops should keep in mind that every one of them is just another citizen, not one of the the "King's Men." I have no requirement to allow you to violate my rights, and you have no power to "detain" me beyond the gun that you will threaten me with.

      Public servant positions, like police officers and presidents, need a serious overhaul - Start serving the public again, instead of yourselves and your own opinions of how the world should work. Read the constitution, and if you accept the job, live by it.

      Shame on you for stating that demending my rights is a sign of guilt. It does not point to probable cause. Shame on you thinking that you are allowed to decide if a crime is being committed based on somoene's willingness to excercise those rights, as guaranteed by the constitution.

      What should have happened there? I'll play next-day quarterback, since you did too.

      d: Please step away from the vehicle.
      h: Ok.
      d: There has been a report of domestic abuse going on here. Is there any going on?
      h: No.
      d: Can I see your papers?
      h: No.
      d: Ok, I'm going to ask these same questions of the lady in the truck. Please stay where I can see your hands, for my own safety.
      h: Ok.
      d: Hi. Young lady, can I see your papers?
      h: No.
      d: Ok, what happened here?
      g: My dad and I got in a fight because he doesn't like my boyfriend.
      d: How big fo a fight? Did your dad hit you?
      g: No, I hit him.
      d: Are you sure? You can tell us, and we'll keep you safe.
      g: No, really. I hit him - I was driving.
      d: Sir, is this what happened?
      h: Yes.
      d: Do you intend to press charges against your daughter?
      h: No.
      d: Ok, then. Please move along here - cars on the side of the road make people nervous and can cause accidents. You could continue your conversations - calmly - at the resturaint a few miles up the road. As long as no one is hitting anyone else, I'm sure they'd be happy to let you guys work this out. Young lady, here's my card, just to be sure. You two have a nice day, and for all our sakes, try to be more civil.

      Cops have the possibility to regain th epublic trust they once had. When I was a kid, we'd think nothing of going to a street cop to ask for help . Now, I'd teach my kids to steer clear - cops are mean and badly trained, concerned more for thier own safety and protecting business interests than upholding thie rights of others.

    3. Re:As a police officer by MImeKillEr · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You're new around here, eh?

      That was possibly one of the most intelligent responses and posts in general that I've read on slashdot in a while.

      --
      Cruising the internet on my TI-99/4A @ a whopping 300 baud!
    4. Re:As a police officer by keyne9 · · Score: 1

      I'd just like to point out just how many people are willing to blatantly lie to authority figures, regardless of whether or not they are guilty, innocent, or stupid. I don't see how thoroughly trusting everyone an officer pulled over could be wholly acceptable, given that if you're committing a crime, the very last thing you'll do is admit it.

    5. Re:As a police officer by Queuetue · · Score: 1

      No doubt, people lie to cops. The way many cops behave, they probably should - it's safer.

      Our government was founded on the belief that stopping a criminal is less important than presenting certain inalienable rights to all of it's citizens - innocent or guilty. If you'd like to live under a different set of laws, where it is illegal to lie to authority, you'll either have to change the ones we have or live elsewhere.

    6. Re:As a police officer by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      No doubt, people lie to cops. The way many cops behave, they probably should - it's safer.

      Our government was founded on the belief that stopping a criminal is less important than presenting certain inalienable rights to all of it's citizens - innocent or guilty. If you'd like to live under a different set of laws, where it is illegal to lie to authority, you'll either have to change the ones we have or live elsewhere.


      EXACTLY!!! Somebody give this man a cookie! This sums it up perfectly.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    7. Re:As a police officer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't understand "investigative detention."

      What gives you the right to detain someone short of an arrest?

      The supreme court has clearly stated that during a "Terry" stop the person has the right to simply walk off.

      How do you reconcile that with your statements? Aren't you worried about civil actions against you personally?

      That seems one of the big problems with the current state of affairs; you can be held civilly liable (in federal court) for actions your state considers legal and appropriate behavior.

      And even further, once you have determined that there was "probably not an assault" aren't you required to give up at that point? Remember that the "Terry" decision only gives you the right to ask a modicum of questions and not to compel answers.

      Seems to me that in order to provide maximum defense of one's liberties, the only reasonable course of action is to refuse to cooperate with law enforcement investigations; purely as a defensive measure.

      You can blame the drug laws and the resulting corruption of our legal system for the public's lack of cooperation; I suppose; we are losing trust in our institutions because they no longer serve us efficiently and effectively when they 'war on drugs' us to death.

    8. Re:As a police officer by Hrvat · · Score: 1

      You, my friend, are so very mistaken.

      A police officer, first and foremost is a citizen of this country. And a human being. He has every right for being concerned for his safety and if you read your laws, which are there because your elected official put it there, he has a right to do so.

      (BTW If you lie to authorities all the time, then I would not want to know you. Because you'd lie to me too. And I really can't stand liars.)

      World is getting more violent every day, and not long ago even the English police finally started carrying weapons for self protection. Cops are outnumbered and outgunned, and if you believe that most of them are beligerent sadists then you should go lock yourself in the house and never come out. Because the police will get you.

      Or maybe move to Michigan, join the militia and live in the woods like a monkey.

      --
      TANSTAAFL
    9. Re:As a police officer by Queuetue · · Score: 1

      Hey, we're friends? Neat.

      Hey, I wouldn't lie to you - we're friends, arent we?

      Cops get paid by us to put their necks on the line - for us. Not against us. By the way, us includes the "criminals" - especially the ones, that haven't been convicted.

      Bringing more violence to the table isn't going to fix the violence problem. Trust, self reliance and education are the keys there.

      Three things the Michigan Militia are all about.

    10. Re:As a police officer by jasenj1 · · Score: 1
      d: Ok, I'm going to ask these same questions of the lady in the truck. Please stay where I can see your hands, for my own safety.
      h: Ok.
      d: Hi. Young lady, can I see your papers?
      And the moment you - Mr. Hypothetical Cop - take your gaze off the guy he pulls a 9mm from behind his back and puts a few rounds in your sorry ass.

      The original poster I believe said you have the choice of showing him ID so he can do a check on you or sitting on the ground in handcuffs. That is not violating your rights, IMHO, but ensuring his safety.

      Innocent until proven guilty is great when you're in court on trial, but until then, the responding officer should do what it takes to make sure s/he gets to go home and kiss their spouse and kids.

      - Jasen.
    11. Re:As a police officer by Queuetue · · Score: 2

      Or the guy would have shot you before you got out of the car. Or slapped you with an AIDS infected needle when you went to cuff him. Or had the girl drive over you when you walked behind the car.

      It's a tough job. Pulling someone's ID doesn't make it any safer. It does make him testify against himself, so your humble opinions notwithstanding, it absolutely does violate his fifth amedment rights. It also seizure without cause or a warrant - therefore it does absolutely violate your fourth amendment rights.

      The constitution is the law of this land. Change it or accept it, because as of now, your safety isn't as important as my freedom.

    12. Re:As a police officer by work3q24234 · · Score: 1

      It seems you didn't read rhino's post at all, but already made up your mind that he was "one of them" when leaping to your condescending tone.

      You immediately jumped to taking the Fifth and referencing the Fourth Ammendment when he said nothing of searching the truck, merely wanting to talk to the girl inside. His only reason for cuffing the father was for his own safety, not because the father didn't answer his questions. And having the father stand just outside his peripheral vision is simply a terrible idea. Either he's going to have to focus on the daughter's hands for a weapon and body language to see if she's lying, or watch the father for a weapon or if he's going to make a break for it. He could easily pull a knife and charge at the officer in the two seconds he looked away from the father. Not to mention the fact it's hard enough convincing her she'll be safe and it's okay to talk without having her her father standing over her

      "Shame on you for stating that demending my rights is a sign of guilt."
      Didn't he specifically state atleast twice in his post that he didn't think so either?
      It was the fact he was being defensive and belligerent that he felt it gave him REASONABLE SUSPICION (not guilt), and only in COMBINATION with the other factors.

      What you fail to take in account is that the officer has a duty to investigate and stick his nose in other peoples' business. Of course I'm not arguing he needs to or should violate your rights, but he can't simply wait for concrete, irrefutable proof to fall down from the sky before arresting or detaining someone.

    13. Re:As a police officer by dankjones · · Score: 1

      To me, the problem isn't that he was taken into custody, but with the fact that is being charged with a crime.

      No crime was committed here.

    14. Re:As a police officer by Queuetue · · Score: 1

      There's a lot to cover here, and I've been doing this all day, so I'll just do it bullet-point style.

      o It's not illegal to be defensive.
      o It's not illegal to be belligerent.
      o Its not illegal to insist a cop obey your rights.
      o It's not illegal to hang outside of a truck.
      o Adding up a bunch of stuff that isn't illegal doesn't give you reasonable cause - you don't run on "cop sense" - you run on fact.
      o Your id is protected under the fourth amendment - I wasn't talking about the truck.
      o A cop can't invent crimes to go on a fishing expidition - if he hadn't tried to force an illegal search, there would have been no crime at all.

      Yes, I recognize that this is a tough world, and cops are often fearful of thier lives. If this drives them to break the law, they should quit. No cop has a duty to stick his nose anywhere - his first job in this case was to determine if anyone had been assaulted. No one was, and he should have determined this, and gone on his way. No ID required.

    15. Re:As a police officer by Hrvat · · Score: 1

      Trust, right. Because you don't trust someone in uniform. You don't trust someone because they are part of the government. If someone from outside looked into the United States and saw your comment, they'd think that people are getting beat up by cops on every corner, and that we are in a facist state.

      While cops put their necks on the line, they do not give up their rights while wearing the uniform. I personally do not think that MY rights are more valuable than the next person's rights.

      That said, I grant you that the cop did not react well to the situation. But neither did the suspect. Because he was a suspect at the time, the police did have a reason to suspect something was going on.

      --
      TANSTAAFL
    16. Re:As a police officer by work3q24234 · · Score: 1

      Again, I, nor anyone, never said it was illegal to do any of those things. Please stop insisting it.

      I said nothing of "cop sense" or reasonable cause for arrest either. He was not trying to convict or even arrest him- at this stage of an investigation there are no facts. There is nothing illegal about an officer asking for id during an investigation. This is not seizing it, it is asking for it.

      "if he hadn't tried to force an illegal search"
      Asking "Can I see your id?" is not an illegal search. Searching him for it without his consent or without legal basis would be an illegal search.

      "he should have determined this, and gone on his way"
      I first saw this video a few days ago, and I'm guessing you haven't got the chance yet. There could have been nothing seen by officer to determine if there was assualt there or not. Especially with the drunk father refusing to answer questions (and as has been pointed out before, it's ridiculous to suggest a proper questioning of the daughter with the father standing over her).

      "No cop has a duty to stick his nose anywhere"
      Do you actually believe that? That police should wait for proof of a crime happening before even investigating or looking into it? There goes police responding to 911 calls, screams in dark alleys, burly men unloading TVs out of a truck at 4am (oh no! stereotypes!), and a trailer park wife with two black eyes saying her husband doesn't beat her. All of which thousands of police currently respond to by persisting to ask questions and looking around to investigate.
      But that's apparently illegal now.

    17. Re:As a police officer by Alsee · · Score: 1

      A good post, except you completely glossed over the actual conflict.

      I will not end my investigation until I check both names for local warrants and the national computer for warrants, missing, etc, etc.

      Your post never even hints of learning anyone's name by any means. The very topic is someone who does not feel like showing ID (or giving a name). Taking literally, you have them in eternal investigative dention. Chuckle.

      Obviously that's not what you meant. Eventually you're either going to have to arrest someone for not presenting ID or you're going to have to let them go WITHOUT running any check for warrants/missing/whatever. So you never addressed the real issue.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    18. Re:As a police officer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obviously you don't know much about the process of investigations or actually what a real scene is like. Lets take a look at your last response, and point out how ignorant you really are:

      No cop has a duty to stick his nose anywhere - his first job in this case was to determine if anyone had been assaulted.

      What exactly does a cop do when he/she approaches a scene where someone reported an assualt? Your first part of your sentence contridicts the objective of the statement. If a cop isn't supposed to investigate (read: stick his nose anywhere), how is he supossed to figure out what happened?

      Yes, I recognize that this is a tough world, and cops are often fearful of thier lives. If this drives them to break the law, they should quit.

      Yes this is a "tough world", and most cops are NOT fearful of their lives - they choose to be safe on each stop. I'll create a business/computer example of this ordeal. Lets say you were an individual dealing with a company. Your goal is to buy product from a vendor that sells their merchandise. When you arrive at the vendor's location you get a bad feeling about him in general and decide to check his papers to see if he's the legit thing, that he will actually provide the merchandise in shipping (rather than run off an commit massive identity theft in your name). He refuses. Do you go on with the sale? Probably not, unless your a fool or just don't care. Flash back to the cop/suspect -

      If someone is being very uncooperative over a little detail such as an ID, a good percentage of the time it's because that individual does NOT want you to know who he actually is. Such as the vendor above, ideas should run clockwork in your mind that maybe this individual is no so safe to be around without knowing who he actually is. Most likely in this case that's why the cop got so caught up with the ID.

      I hope that lends some insight to your pretty uninsightful comments.

    19. Re:As a police officer by Queuetue · · Score: 1

      I'm getting sick of dealing with pinheads today.

      Please see any other post - my own or someone else's by someone that has some understanding of personal liberty, or go get a copy of the U.S. constitution.

      Next time, don't feel the need to end your post like an asshat, and I won't treat you like one.

    20. Re:As a police officer by Tiny+Rhino · · Score: 1
      Your absolutely right, I failed to clarify that. There are many many ways in a given situation to figure out someone's name.

      In this situation, the deputy could run the registration of the truck, and with the owner's name you can then run a driver's license check on that owner. Assuming that this guy owns the truck. If he doesn't want to say, again most states list physical descriptors in the driving record so if it matches up one can be reasonably assured this is the person your dealing with. I think that would have worked just fine given this situation.

      If that doesn't work you can ask the daughter. You can even explain to her that her dad might go to jail if she doesn't give up his name. (Even if the deputy has NO INTENTION AT ALL to take him to jail) Trickery and deceit are valid tools for law enforcement to use. (As long as we are not entraping people, or making threats or promises to gain admissions or confessions.) While some of you may feel that telling the daughter her dad might go to jail is a threat, in fact it is not. It is not self-incrimination for her to tell her dad's name, nor is it a threat against HER in any way.

      There are usually many ways to get name. But, in fact, failing any other ways to get his name, if I determine NO crime has been committed, he will be released. Of course I might be a little bit worked up about dealing with someone who is that uncooperative, but it will pass. It happens all the time to officers. They might not be happy about it, but mostly because they are frustrated.

      But it will take LONGER to release someone who won't give their name because I'm trying to use all the tools available to me to find it out. If you think you didn't do anything wrong, and know you don't have any open warrants, then why in the world would you want to make the contact last longer??? Just to prove a point? Ok, but most people have better things to do.

      And lastly again I can only speak for Maryland laws, which are certainly different from those out west. But as a piece of advice, if you are ever arrested you should give your full name and identifying information. If you do not, you will be a "John Doe" (or Jane). Generally a few hours after your arrest (at least in my jurisdiction), you are presented before a commissioner and presented with the charges against you. At that point, the commissioner decides on weather to PR you and release you on your promise to come to court, hold you on a bond, or hold you without bond.

      If you won't tell who you are, they are not going to think that you will come to court. If they don't think that you will come, they will hold you until your court date! (Or set a high dollar bond - but unlikely if they don't know anything about you) Your court date is generally 1.5 months away, sometimes more. It makes no sense to sit in jail that whole time just because you won't give your name to make a point. But again that really only applies AFTER you are under arrest, so it's a little bit of different situation.

      Hope that clarifies my first post a little. Good point Alsee.

    21. Re:As a police officer by jasenj1 · · Score: 1

      Hmmm... I think we're talking past each other.

      The cops certainly have the right to ask for ID - that is not a violation of the Constitution. And the detainee certainly has the right to refuse such a request. The cop then has the right to take other action to further the investigation - including restraining the detainee for their own sense of safety. Certainly forcing or coercing the detainee into surrendering their ID is a violation.

      Are you advocating that the mere asking for ID is a 4th & 5th Amendment violation? Perhaps a case could be made that a police officer's "request" could be interpretted as a mandatory order by an average citizen.

      I think you underestimate the safety value of running an ID check. And in the specific case being discussed, there was ample cause.

      - Jasen.

    22. Re:As a police officer by Tiny+Rhino · · Score: 1
      Well I don't want get in any arguments -- Queuetue I do respect the fact you feel strongly about your rights. However some of the rights you feel strongly about are not necessarily rights!

      You wrote "If you ask me to show you papers, and I say no, then the answer is no. I'm not required to testify against myself - thats the fifth amendment"

      Not trying to be a smartass here at all, but please explain to me how giving an officer your name and birthdate could be a form of self-incrimination? Your name is just that - a name, not giving information about a crime or confessing to a crime. You specifically state if I ask you for papers -- you will say no. Ok, that's FINE! But at some point I'm going to want to know who you are... And often even if I have probable cause to arrest someone (NOT saying that happened in this case), I can use something called "discretion". I can choose not to arrest or even charge you at all. Do you think I'm going to do that if you are completely uncooperative? No, if I find reason you are certainly going to jail.

      I deal and talk with many people on a daily basis. I have friends who are not officers that I have lengthy discussions with on stuff like this. I tend to get a feeling about a person's attitudes toward law enforcement pretty quickly.

      Queuetue you and I could point and counter-point for a very long time but I get the feeling that neither opinion will change. So will respect your opinion and hope that you will respect mine, even if you don't agree with what I do. As some advice, though, please use common sense on the street and cooperate, ESPECIALLY if you feel you did nothing wrong. You are really only hurting your chances of getting off with a warning by making the officer's job more difficult than it already is.

    23. Re:As a police officer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd just like to point out just how many people are willing to blatantly lie to authority figures

      "Authority figures"? The police are supposed to be serving us, they're not some sort of masters.

    24. Re:As a police officer by rking · · Score: 1

      If someone from outside looked into the United States and saw your comment, they'd think that people are getting beat up by cops on every corner, and that we are in a facist state.

      Actually, as someone from outside the US who's reading these comments, I'm more struck by the ones that suggest that the police are in constant fear of being shot at by anyone they talk to.

    25. Re:As a police officer by Queuetue · · Score: 1

      No, asking for id (or a confession) is perfectly sensible, you are correct, it's the coercion that makes it a constitutional issue.

      The statement "give me your ID or I will take you to jail" is pretty plainly coercion, though - isn't it?

      There is no safety that comes from an ID check. The fact that a person has been violent in the past does not indicate that he will be this time. A person with a peaceful past may pick now to attack for the first time. An ID may be falsified, or it could be stolen. The danger of a situation stands lagely on it's own.

    26. Re:As a police officer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Asking "Can I see your id?" is not an illegal search.

      Asking isn't, you're right.

      If a police officer forcibly takes your ID, and inspects it, without a warrant -- well, that is an illegal search. We agree on that parent.

      Now, follow it to its logical conclusion:

      If a police officer asks for your ID, and, he arrests you because you lawfully decline -- he's done as much wrong as if a police officer asked you if he could enter your home (without a warrant), and, he arrests you when you refuse.

    27. Re:As a police officer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      While cops put their necks on the line, they do not give up their rights while wearing the uniform

      That's fair enough as far as it goes. Police are citizens with all the rights of citizens.

      That said, you (a citizen) have no power to demand identification from me (also a citizen). Should we meet, and you want to "protect yourself" somehow with my identity (ID cards stop bullets, it seems), you have as much right to demand it and arrest me if I decline as a police officer does.

      Which is to say: you have no right, and, neither does he.

      So, you see, it's fair enough as far as it goes... but it doesn't go very far.

    28. Re:As a police officer by Tiny+Rhino · · Score: 2
      In practical terms, a Terry stop is much different from an investigative detention. First, no citizen felt compelled to call the police about a crime in progress. An officer on patrol observes something out of the ordinary, and decides to stop and basically say, "I'm watching you, who are you and what are you up to today?" If there is a reason like a bulge in a jacket or some other information leading the officer to believe there might be a weapon on the person, they may pat down the exterior of someone's clothing. It is considered much less of an invasion of privacy than a search. Terry stops are useful mostly to PREVENT crimes by letting potential suspects know they are being watched. It is NOT a custodial situation, and the person is free to leave.

      However, in an investigative detention, the officer has a reasonable suspicion that a crime has ALREADY happened, and that the person stopped is likley involved. This is different because it IS a cutodial situation, but only up until the point where it is determined that a crime has not occurred.

      A different example of this would be if a shooting had just occurred, and witnesses gave the responding officers a description of the suspect. Other officers in the area are going to be looking for people matching this description, and stop them. These people are NOT immediately free to leave -- if they were then officers would certainly be unable to solve anything. They will be placed in investigative detention until it is somehow determined they are not involved. (Often by driving a victim to them to see if the victim can ID them - that's when PROBABLE CAUSE is then established to arrest) That is a much more cut-and-dry example of investigative detention. These suspects cannot be tranported to the station or jail, and cannot be held for an "unreasonable" amount of time. But it is ridiculous to say that an officer should let this potentially violent subject stand around not in handcuffs. So it is mostly for everyone's safety.

      The case in question though is admittedly a borderline case of when investigative detention should be used. However in my experience, if I am alone as an officer and have an intoxicated individual who I believe may have assaulted someone, I don't feel comfortable having them at my back while I question potential victims or witnesses. Like I said, it's often in the phrasing of your reports and statements -- I'm a reasonably intelligent person and can articulate reaons why I would place someone in investigative detention in this case.

      Also your statement that Terry only allows for a modicum of questions, etc is true... however in this case it's not really a Terry stop. But beyond that, even if I determine that no ASSAULT has occurred, I have still not determined that no crime has occurred. I will hold the dad in investigative detention for really what would amount to about 5 minutes afterwards to determine that nothing else is going on. Because it is an unusual situation. I can't hold dad for hours or anything. It's all about what's reasonable.

      And finally, yes I'll probably be sued. Any officer can stick their head in the sand and sit on their hands and not do anything to fight crime. Any GOOD officer will be proactive and observant and use tools like Terry stops, etc. Those officers are more likely to be sued. There's a reason cases like Terry and others go to the Supreme Court; they are on the edge of legality... Are they unreasonable search and seizure??? So any good officer gets sued. It's a pain personally but a necessary part of the job; and I will prevail if I can state the reasons for what I did and not violate people's rights. The only problem is that we live in such a litigious society that most people are just suing to get some money, not because they actually feel their rights were violated.

    29. Re:As a police officer by Tiny+Rhino · · Score: 2

      I will agree to that. I think ultimately arrest based solely on failure to produce ID is unreasonable.

    30. Re:As a police officer by jasenj1 · · Score: 1
      Wow. I thought your original post was spot on - except for the little discrepency pointed out by Alsee. But this one totally scares me.


      Your absolutely right, I failed to clarify that. There are many many ways in a given situation to figure out someone's name.
      In this situation, the deputy could run the registration of the truck, and with the owner's name you can then run a driver's license check on that owner. Assuming that this guy owns the truck. If he doesn't want to say, again most states list physical descriptors in the driving record so if it matches up one can be reasonably assured this is the person your dealing with. I think that would have worked just fine given this situation.

      With you here. Sounds good.


      If that doesn't work you can ask the daughter. You can even explain to her that her dad might go to jail if she doesn't give up his name. (Even if the deputy has NO INTENTION AT ALL to take him to jail) Trickery and deceit are valid tools for law enforcement to use. (As long as we are not entraping people, or making threats or promises to gain admissions or confessions.) While some of you may feel that telling the daughter her dad might go to jail is a threat, in fact it is not. It is not self-incrimination for her to tell her dad's name, nor is it a threat against HER in any way.

      WHAT!?! IANAL, and I don't deal with the police on a regular basis, but I can't imagine that threatening a loved one and lying in the manner described above could be construed as anything but coersion. And you clearly are making an implied threat and promise in the above scenario - give up the name or the old man goes to the clink. Especially when there is no legal basis for taking the man to jail for not giving up his name. I'd hope a half-decent lawyer could get the case thrown out based on this kind of information gathering - but maybe I'm just ignorant.

      And hey, if "trickery and deceit" are valid ways to deal with the citizenry guess what you're going to get right back? Lie to the cops all you want, they do the same to get you to do what they want. Cheat on your taxes, too. I know, cops deal with lying criminals all the time, and I really do sympathize with you.


      Of course I might be a little bit worked up about dealing with someone who is that uncooperative, but it will pass. It happens all the time to officers. They might not be happy about it, but mostly because they are frustrated.

      Perhaps if more citizens asserted this right it wouldn't be so frustrating and police would change procedure to find out what's going on before asking for IDs. Although I suspect most stops are vehicle stops and people must surrender ID then.


      But it will take LONGER to release someone who won't give their name because I'm trying to use all the tools available to me to find it out.

      Why? In part, so you can see if the person has any outstanding warrants. i.e. So they can testify against themselves. They aren't required to do that. I respect the cop's right to try to get the name, but there is a point where they must let it go. In this case, it appears the officer did not let it go, thus a Supreme Court case.


      If you think you didn't do anything wrong, and know you don't have any open warrants, then why in the world would you want to make the contact last longer??? Just to prove a point? Ok, but most people have better things to do.

      Because the Constitution says I don't have to. Yes, to make a point. And keep the Gummint aware that its powers are limited. Might take time? So does voting. (Oops, perhaps a bad analogy considering the USA's voting record.)

      [big snip.]

      But again that really only applies AFTER you are

    31. Re:As a police officer by Tiny+Rhino · · Score: 1
      The first thing I learned when I started interacting with people after I became a police officer is that EVERYONE lies to the cops. If people told me the truth, I wouldn't have to use trickery and deceit. People lie for lots of reasons, but almost everyone does it. I learned really quickly not to trust anyone -- even victims are often filing false reports for personal gain.

      "WHAT!?! IANAL, and I don't deal with the police on a regular basis, but I can't imagine that threatening a loved one and lying in the manner described above could be construed as anything but coersion. And you clearly are making an implied threat and promise in the above scenario - give up the name or the old man goes to the clink. Especially when there is no legal basis for taking the man to jail for not giving up his name. I'd hope a half-decent lawyer could get the case thrown out based on this kind of information gathering - but maybe I'm just ignorant."

      Coercion for giving a name? You have a right against self-incrimination, which is why you are read your Miranda rights (to remain silent, etc) before questioning about crimes. Daughter has nothing to lose -- she is not going to incriminate herself in any way. NOR is she going to incriminate her father. A NAME IS NOT INCRIMINATING, according to any and every case law and every statute that I know of. I have never heard of charging someone with a crime because of their name. [Unless your name is Bill Gates, then maybe you should be! ;) ] They may have committed a crime, but the name is not the crime. Of course the daughter can choose not to say anything and call my bluff. Then dad goes free, without knowing who he is.

      Also understand that this would not be my first choice, obviously. I'm not going straight to trying to trick the daughter. I was really just offering that as a last resort. I doubt that in this case that would have been necessary.

      I consider this along the same lines as having two murder accomplices in seperate interrogations, and telling one that the other spilled the beans. Sure its a trick, but it works and they wouldn't talk otherwise. Obviously in that example the suspects would have been fully advised of their rights before questioning.

      Having outstanding warrants is NOT testifying against yourself. Having a warrant means that you have been accused of a crime -- you then can choose not to testify -- and you have a right to confront your accussers and ask questions of them in court. Checking a name for warrants really in no way says anything about the person being checked - it is standard procedure that most officers just to make sure. Even if I don't think that the 65 year old grandma that I just pulled over is likely to have a warrant, I gotta check.

      How would it look if grandma had an open warrant for terrorist activity and went on to bomb something. Then I'm REALLY in a jam for not having checked her and it makes it look like officers aren't doing their jobs.

      I agree with you that you have rights and I respect them. If you or anyone else wants to make their contact with me last longer by clamming up and not saying ANYTHING, that's fine. I get paid either way, and I do the best job I can either way.

      BTW, I'm loving this thread. You guys are great for asking questions and making reasonable statements and expressing in a reasonable way!

    32. Re:As a police officer by Alsee · · Score: 1

      if I determine NO crime has been committed, he will be released

      Naturally. And if you have probably cause for an arrest then not presenting ID is pretty much moot, he gets arrested on that. The area of interest would be the range in between, where you do not have probable cause, but you cannot determine that no crime has occured, or perhaps a crime has occurred somewhere but you have no probably cause to arrest this person.

      If you think you didn't do anything wrong, and know you don't have any open warrants, then why in the world would you want to make the contact last longer???

      I can think of plenty of legitimate reasons. Perhaps the person is a celebrity and it would likely hit the tabloids that he was in place X, even the mere fact that the police talked to him could be news. Maybe the person is on their way to/from a gay bar. Maybe they were out cheating on their girlfriend. Maybe the person isn't carrying ID. Maybe the person doesn't even have a driver's licence or official government non-driver-ID. Maybe the person is retarded, or senile, or a mild mental-case. And that list is just off the top of my head, in real life I'm sure hundreds of such reasons would turn up.

      But most importantly you don't have a right unless you are genuinely free to excercise that right. I have just as much right to decline your request for ID as I have to decline your request to search my bedroom - I don't need to justify it. You can breifly detain to investigate if there is probable cause, but failing to find probable cause and then extending that detention for the sole reason that someone did not consent to a search of their bedroom or did not consent to produce ID then that begins to tread on people's rights.

      The view of "if you have nothing to hide" very quickly twists into a presumption of guilt against anyone who does not "voluntarily" waive their rights. That is just plain wrong and dangerous. If I'm innocent I don't need to prove it. If you don't have probable cause then you and I are just two ordinary citizens and you have no legal right or power to meddle in my life.

      It's unfortunate and frustrating that so many people do waive their rights out of expediency, it just breeds the presumption that anyone that doesn't "voluntarily" waive their rights is guilty.

      Chuckle, I just thought of an amusing and truely twisted reason for an innocent person not to waive those sorts of rights. He could hope to win a big-fat lawsuit if the officer (A) makes a false assumption that it indicated guilt, and/or (B) gets irritated/frustrated and proceeds to violate his rights. Not much different than what some undercover officers do to catch criminals :D If the officer does violate this person's rights then he is the criminal.

      Note that I don't have animosity for police. I just think it is absolutly vital that they not violate people's rights even when it interferes with their ability to catch criminals. When police violate those rights they generally do it with the good intentions of catching criminals. No matter how well intentioned they are, a police force that violates the law ultimately becomes far more dangerous than any common criminals.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    33. Re:As a police officer by Hrvat · · Score: 1

      I can demand whatever I want from you, it is within my rights. You don't have to provide it for me, and that is within your rights.

      --
      TANSTAAFL
    34. Re:As a police officer by Queuetue · · Score: 1
      please explain to me how giving an officer your name and birthdate could be a form of self-incrimination
      Think about the reason why you want it - is it just so you have something to write on your clipboard? Or is it possibly so you can "run my history" and determine if it's okay for you to treat me as a criminal? If it's for the clipboard - go pound sand. You can write John Doe and it won't make any difference. If it's so you can use my past to determine if I committed a crime in the present - no, thanks - that's where you step on my rights.
      Do you think I'm going to do that if you are completely uncooperative? No, if I find reason you are certainly going to jail.
      And now, you're saying that being uncooperative is a crime? The fact that you get to decide whether to arrest me or not based on your personal feelings is a problem with the system.

      If my being uncooperative decreases my chances of "getting off with a warning" then you're a bad cop. First of all, no one should get off with a warning. If you can find just cause, then arrest them. If you can't, then leave them alone. Second, being belligerent aint a crime. Being unresponsive aint a crime. Being unhelpful aint a crime. And getting a cop upset at you aint a crime.

      You should really consider this before you go back on the street, because you're using bad judgement to mess up the judicial system.

      No, I won't walk away from this 'agreeing to disagree'. This isn't an academic discussion - you have been given legal permission by some dunderhead to PULL OUT A GUN AND KILL ME if you feel like it, and you don't even understand how this stuff works. If you can't see the importance of getting this right, then you need some significant drilling on basic citizenship.

      Your opinion is not a tool in the fight against crime.
    35. Re:As a police officer by Queuetue · · Score: 1

      Reading this thread get longer ... You're proud of your ability to lie to people. You talk about how you get hot under the collar when people reject your hamfisted handling of the law ("I'll get over it") and we know you carry a gun around with you, with which to threaten people with. On top of this, you have no respect for a person who excercises their rights if it inconveniences you.

      And the shame is that you're pretty typical, for a cop.

      Yes, people lie to the cops. Know why? Because we fear and resent you. We fear you because you can kill us and haul us away and hold us as long as you want for 'detention.' We resent you because we know you lie to us, and play your own personal version of 'justice', just as you are describing here.

      The authority you hold on the street does not come from your job, your position, or any degree of trust or respect. It comes, plainly, because you can kill us and get away with it and we cannot do the same to you. Period. That is why people lie to you. It is why they do not assist in your 'investigations' and why in a riot, they will separate you from your weapon and beat you to death. I'm not condoning the behavior, but I am trying to explain it to you.

      You are supposed to be the good guy, and you're not. People hate you for it.

  276. I'm wrong by Effugas · · Score: 1

    Weird. I remembered hearing the transcript version.

    Bizarre.

  277. That brown shirt fits you well. by Onan · · Score: 4, Insightful
    You're right, that one was kinda stupid. I don't know the laws in Nevada, but here in PA they would have gotten her on SOMETHING. Perhaps "Assault on a police officer" when she slammed the door into him. THEN you get her for resisting arrest.

    Trying to find a charge, any charge, on which to "get" someone is one of the more horrifying types of abuse of power around. Deciding that someone is a generally bad person and searching for crimes they might have committed is exactly backward.

    People are defined as societally problematic only by the effects of crimes they've committed, not the other way around. If you have to work at trumping up some charges, then they simply don't need to be punished, however much you may dislike them.

    This becomes even more problematic because it's virtually impossible to not be enacting at least some tiny infraction at any moment, especially while driving. So people aren't really punished according to their detrimental effects on society, but on the capricious decisions of whatever law enforcement official happens to be nearby at the moment. Driving one mph over the speed limit? Tire treads too worn? Driving recklessly, disturbing the peace, or doing anything else that's defined by officer's discretion? Then your world is in the hands of the temporary feudal lord who happens by.

    I think the only solution to this would be removing officer discretion from the enforcement process. Enforcement officials should be legally required to punish every single infraction of every law, however minor.

    What's that you say, they could never realistically do that? Then the laws are flawed. If an act is so ubiquitous that you can't keep up with punishing people for it, then it shouldn't be illegal.

    1. Re:That brown shirt fits you well. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Trying to find a charge, any charge, on which to "get" someone is one of the more horrifying types of abuse of power around. Deciding that someone is a generally bad person and searching for crimes they might have committed is exactly backward.

      People are defined as societally problematic only by the effects of crimes they've committed, not the other way around. If you have to work at trumping up some charges, then they simply don't need to be punished, however much you may dislike them.


      What, like Al Capone maybe?

    2. Re:That brown shirt fits you well. by i-Chaos · · Score: 2, Insightful
      ... Enforcement officials should be legally required to punish every single infraction of every law, however minor...
      What's that you say, they could never realistically do that? Then the laws are flawed. If an act is so ubiquitous that you can't keep up with punishing people for it, then it shouldn't be illegal.


      You have good intentions, but really bad analogies, and you contradict yourself. Taking your "Driving one mph over the speed limit" example, then either there should be enough Police Enforcement resources to monitor every single car on the road, or there should be no traffic laws, as many people commit infractions on a regular basis. In fact, 95% of the drivers I know usually drive at least 5mph over the limit, and there are times when I've known people who drive home a little intoxicated. It's really not known whether or not it's considered impaired driving unless you have a breatholizer test kit.

      Essentially, you're saying, "Enforce the rules properly, or not at all." If our society were to have proper enforcement, you would cry about your "civil liberties" being violated, and taxes would have to be VERY high (install a tracking device on each vehicle, as well as all kinds of sensors that relay info to the government).

      Face it, Pigs suck at times. Yes, they can be very unfair, and very prejudiced, but one can't start screaming "civil liberties" every time a cop comes around, or "plead the fifth" everytime a cop asks a question, because some of them are really trying to do a job. Just like a Systems Developer or Programmer will ask a client about their requirements, or some specs, for a project, a cop needs certain details to ascertain the "specs" of their current working environment. It really sucks that there's this range of cops from nice ones, to assholes who abuse the law as they see fit. I hope that this turns out well.

      --
      ...I am proof that intelligent beings are not always intelligent...
    3. Re:That brown shirt fits you well. by tom's+a-cold · · Score: 1
      I think the only solution to this would be removing officer discretion from the enforcement process. Enforcement officials should be legally required to punish every single infraction of every law, however minor.
      In that case, life would become intolerable and nearly everyone in the country would be at risk of being fined and/or incarcerated. Part of the reason we have the set of laws we do is precisely because they're unenforceable. Legislators pass increasingly draconian laws that are, in their effect, largely symbolic. I have friends who once lived in totalitarian regimes, where the government could do as they pleased with you with little pretense of due process. The reason people survived was because the government was incompetent. Also because the real motivation for that massive state power was not to imprison everyone, but to provide leverage against those who were chosen as targets. Result: the state as shakedown racket. Look at the asset-forfeiture laws in the US as an example of what's to come. If you have something they want, or you're doing something they don't like, you'll be endlessly harassed. Be a good little drone, kiss ass and pay the mordida, they might leave you alone for a while longer.

      Interesting how many posters here seem to be quite content with the "kiss ass and pay up" strategy.

      --
      Get your teeth into a small slice: the cake of liberty
    4. Re:That brown shirt fits you well. by Dyolf+Knip · · Score: 1
      Hmmm, I definitely agree about the need for cops to refrain from abusing their position. But removing officer discretion? We'll never be able to come up with a list of rules and regulations for cops and civilians that is so comprehensive that it'll cover everything they do, and if we did nobody would be able to understand it. There are zillions of actions that are perfectly legal under some circumstances but are illegal under others, and trying to perfectly distinguish between the two in legalese is an exercise in futility. We _want_ cops and judges to be able to do their jobs well, to exercise their descretion, to use their power intelligently, even if it's not 100% by the book. Otherwise we might as well replace the entire system with computers and robots. We don't want to take power away from them, we just want them to be unable to abuse it to the detriment of those they are supposed to be protecting.

      In a perfect world, they simply wouldn't, right? The next best thing is to come down like a ton of bricks on those that do. Video cameras in squad cars is, in the immortal words of Bonno, a f*cking brilliant part of that. Would Hiibel's problem even be an issue if it wasn't a matter of video record? Not letting them turn the camera off (or being _very_ suspicious when they do) or tying microphones actually on the cops into the recording device (for when they are too far away from the car to pick up voices; the sound quality on the video was atrocious) would be even better. They simply have too much power, especially when bad and ambiguous laws are in place (something that will never be avoided entirely), to have their actions while on the job to be undocumented.

      I would love it if cops had just enough power to do their jobs but not enough to abuse it. But I think it unlikely we'll ever be able to strike the perfect balance. What we need is a way of rectifying mistakes and punishing abuses.

      --
      Dyolf Knip
    5. Re:That brown shirt fits you well. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      I think the only solution to this would be removing officer discretion from the enforcement process. Enforcement officials should be legally required to punish every single infraction of every law, however minor.

      While that seems like a simple truth, it isn't. For example, imagine that there is a road through a neighborhood where the speed limit is 25 and everyone always goes 35-45. Now, should the speed limit be change? Keep in mind that there are children playing nearby and several pets have been struck and killed due to speeding motorists. No, the solution isn't always to either remove the law or enforce every infraction. In this case, either speed bumps/ditches could be installed or they should have cops out enforcing the speed limit during times when children are likely to be outside playing.

      I'm obviously nit-picking and I, in fact, generally agree with you. But I disagree with you that every infraction that a cop sees must be enforced. He has a brain and ought to be allowed to use it.

      There are district attorneys who pressed states to set required punishments for some crimes, leaving no discretion for the judge. The result? Overflowing prisons and grave injustices to the individuals punished in this way (such as the kid serving 10-15 years in prison with no chance of parol for having sex with a girl one year younger than himself (17)).

    6. Re:That brown shirt fits you well. by danila · · Score: 1

      I think the only solution to this would be removing officer discretion from the enforcement process.
      That's a good idea...

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    7. Re:That brown shirt fits you well. by Osty · · Score: 1

      While that seems like a simple truth, it isn't. For example, imagine that there is a road through a neighborhood where the speed limit is 25 and everyone always goes 35-45. Now, should the speed limit be change? Keep in mind that there are children playing nearby and several pets have been struck and killed due to speeding motorists. No, the solution isn't always to either remove the law or enforce every infraction. In this case, either speed bumps/ditches could be installed or they should have cops out enforcing the speed limit during times when children are likely to be outside playing.

      The road is obviously conducive to speeds higher than 25mph, regardless of the safety issues that may cause. Most likley it's because the road is wide, smooth, and relatively new and well tended. If the road were narrow as in many urban residential areas, there would be no problem (too cramped to go fast). Suburbanites won't accept that kind of narrow road, though, so we need another fix. You can't just change the speed limit and do nothing else, because it's unenforceable. No, the proper thing to do is to put in speed bumps placed at a proper distance and of a proper size to ensure most people can't reach more than 30mph before they hit the next bump, and must slow to 15-20mph to traverse a bump or risk damaging their car (yes, there are some sports cars that could accelerate to 60mph in that time, and there are big 4x4s that could roll over the bump without noticing, but you plan for the average). This cannot be done on a highway, though, so how do you deal with a four-lane divided highway with a posted limit of 55mph and an 85th percentile speed of 70mph? Even if you increase cop coverage you can never catch each infraction because a huge majority (85% or more in this case) of the traffic is breaking the law. The proper solution here is to do surveys to determine what the 85th percentile speed is on the road, and then adjust the speed limit accordingly (and revisit this every several years to make sure the limit is still reasonable). Now you have a just and lawful limit backed by facts, and the occurence of speeders has dropped to 15% or less of the traffic. That's a manageable number for police to enforce, and thus we can keep the speed limit.


      Even choosing a proper 85th percentile speed is not always enough. A wide open stretch of desert highway limited to 60mph is insane. You have visibility for miles and generally low traffic (especially if it's a three-lane highway), which means you can safely drive as fast as you and your car can handle. This would be a "reasonable and prudent" limit, where you are expected to judge your own abilities and those of your cars and stay within that limit. Enforcing this would involve discretionary judgement on the part of police officers, but in this case it would be built into the law. The law is not hiding the fact that it's partially up to the office when and where to enforce this law, unlike many laws today that implicitly assume that they will only be enforced sporadically.


      There are district attorneys who pressed states to set required punishments for some crimes, leaving no discretion for the judge. The result? Overflowing prisons and grave injustices to the individuals punished in this way (such as the kid serving 10-15 years in prison with no chance of parol for having sex with a girl one year younger than himself (17)).

      Thus the absurdity of unenforceable laws. Given your example, what right does the government have to determine at what age two consenting people can have sex? Why give the judge the discression to say a 17 year old having consensual sex with a 16 year old is okay, but a 30 year old having consensual sex with a 16 year old is not? This is also a good example of an unenforceable law because it is impossible to know who is having sex with whom without invading privacy unless one of the parties comes forward (in which case you can come up with some other charges than statutory rape).

  278. another story about why you need to be careful by rynthetyn · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I have a friend who was driving home from college and was pulled over after dark by an unmarked car. She rolled her window a crack and asked to see the guy's badge, since it was pretty obvious she was a woman travelling alone and wanted to be safe. The guy refused to show it to her and kept trying to get her to roll down her window the rest of the way. When she continued to refuse unless he showed his badge, he took off. She shouldn't have pulled over, but at least she didn't open her window or who knows what would have happened.

    Always, always, always be careful.

    --
    Eagles may soar, but weasles don't get sucked into jet engines...
  279. True colors by Vexinator · · Score: 5, Insightful
    You're right, that one was kinda stupid. I don't know the laws in Nevada, but here in PA they would have gotten her on SOMETHING. Perhaps "Assault on a police officer" when she slammed the door into him. THEN you get her for resisting arrest.

    We all know it's easy for cops to trump up charges. Thanks for clarifying where you stand on that issue.

    First you seperate them. This he did. Then you question them. This he attempted. Unfortunately, he was not able to leave the father due to his combative and aggressive state.

    I've watched the footage, and you are spin-doctoring it. First off, they were already seperated. Hiibel was outside the vehicle and moved to the tailgate when the officers pulled up. Mimi was in the truck. He did not approach the officers in anything close to a threatening manner. He was obviously agitated but arguing with a loved one tends to do that to a person.

    The bare bones fact is the officers made mistake after mistake.

    Face it, the officers were acting like blowhards. First off, the officer should have repeated what he was there for. Second, he should have been forthcoming in why he wanted the ID (I'm going to need your ID so I can do a routine background check on you while my partner speaks with the young lady in the truck.) Third, he should have been forthcoming in why he was asking Hiibel to move where he was directing (Sir, I'd feel safer if we put some distance between us and the road while we talk.)

    Asking an officer relevant questions, especially a request for clarification of the current situation, is every persons right.

    --
    "Be afraid to die until you have won some victory for humanity" -Horace Mann
  280. probable cause is not the only issue. by obyrne · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Probable cause is one of the reasons the Supreme Court is interested in this case.

    The other, probably more important aspect is the right of a person to refuse to incriminate themselves. From the policeman's perspective, being able to check a person's history is a great way to tell whether the person is a threat to their safety. Unfortunately, the act of identifying someone can also make it more likely that the officer will suspect them of a crime, and the 5th ammendment gives us the right to remain silent in a situation where what we say may incriminate us.

    --Owen--

  281. Tracking the anonymous by Jonah+Hex · · Score: 1
    Incidently, you're still anonymous even if you register a nickname. Nobody has any NFI who you are, nickname or not.
    While that's mostly true for "blank" accounts, it's much easier to leave tracks however when you have a registered account. For example even tho I have an extra layer of anon for my email on sneakemail.com (or as my fav /. obfuscation would have it, moc.liamekaens) I leave major tracks by linking to my actual website and occasionally mirroring the odd file/image or two. Even without such obvious pointers and all info blank with each /. ID having it's own user history site it makes it alot easier to find clues and pointers within old posts, etc.

    Jonah Hex
  282. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You what's worse than that? TAs/grad students... They can be so cruel, just because they can, and they know it.

  283. Germany: Yes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Get your facts straight.

  284. Re:What is there to hide? by dave420-2 · · Score: 1
    I agree with you 100%. To extend the generalisation further, it seems and American in a uniform with a gun assumes they're John Wayne. It goes for the jackass customs officers at the airport, to the rent-a-cop security guards at wells fargo (which to me seems freakin' insane - civilians wearing near-cop uniforms, carrying GUNS. Who on earth vouches for their competence? How do I know they're not a nutter?). I don't know what it is. I guess it's some sort of overcompensation for a lack of intelligence or something - it's the only way they can feel superior over you, as they sure can't match most people they meet on a purely intellectual manner.

    Of course not everyone in uniform in the US is like that, but nearly every single one I've met has been. I really, truly wish it wasn't the case.

  285. Re:What is there to hide? by dave420-2 · · Score: 1
    Dude - you're talking like every other coutry in the world is plagued by checkpoints and the military. Do you even own a passport? The rest of the world have less hassle from cops than the US. The US looks draconian compared to Europe, for example.

    The US is not as free of a country as you think it is. After all, they're going to constitutionally ban marriages. That's hardly freedom. And that's just off the top of my head from the last 2 days.

    If you want to see free countries, go to Europe. If you want to see a police state masquerading as a free country, turn on Fox.

  286. We may bag on cops but... by CherniyVolk · · Score: 0


    Why we tend to side with the ingrate in such situations is beyond me. First, when a man with a gun asks for your ID, consider it a blessing he doesn't use his gun. Secondly, a police officer also has authority to throw you in jail, nothing wrong with showing him your ID. Thirdly, making any person ask 11 times will tend to piss them off, even if they don't have a gun.

    While police brutality may infact be real, I think the great majority of claims are complete BS.

    Allow me to propose a situation, for any person who thinks the cop is wrong, even if the cop had beaten the crap out of the guy:

    A buglar breaks into your house and holds a gun to your daughters head. Cop comes in, and asks, oh so politely for the assailant to drop his weapon. After the third worthless attempt the burglar pulls the trigger. What would you [those that feel for this guy], if the cop would respond while you stand over your daughters corpse, "I needed to ask one more time before I could do anything."

    I myself don't want to play cop, I would opt to actually BE a cop. That's why I have no desire to try to become one. If people actually believe in the kind of crap they here on television in regards to police brutality, then all misfortunes that may befall upon them is well deserved.

    1. Re:We may bag on cops but... by MImeKillEr · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The problem here is, the guy was legally parked on the side of the road (read: not blocking traffic). The truck was off, he was out of it and at the passenger window talking to his wife. The cop used the excuse of there being the report of them having a fight. All the cop had to do was put the guy in the cruiser, talk to the wife and see what was up.

      At what point did the US turn into Nazi Germany, where the police have the authority to demand identification? How long before anyone's walking down the street, looks "suspicious" (based on the cops' belief) and has the right to "see your papers"?

      Equating what happened to this guy with an armed intruder is apples to oranges - he wasn't doing anything wrong. There was no show of aggression on his part, the wife wasn't in any obvious and immediate danger.

      Personally, I hope Hiibel wins and sues the cop and county.

      Yes, police have the authority to enforce the laws. What law was Hiibel breaking by refusing to show ID?

      And, BTW, I saw the video when this was posted to Madville a couple of days ago. The cop says he's "conducting an investigation" not "investigating an investigation" - at least, I didn't hear him say that and don't recall reading that in the captions that were added.

      --
      Cruising the internet on my TI-99/4A @ a whopping 300 baud!
  287. Re:What is there to hide? by term8or · · Score: 1

    "In fact, there had already been a physical exchange between the guy and his daughter."

    The only physical exchange between the guy and his daughter that I am aware of was when his daughter hit him.

    "That the officer was responding to a report (eg, some other citizen called the police) of domestic violence "
    1. It was an Anony-mouse tip. Not probable cause.
    2. The police officer did not attempt to find out if violence had been used before the time of the arrest.
    3. The police officer did not ask the name, which is a question that would have been reasonable. He asked for proof of identity, which without probable cause was not reasonable.
    4. In any case, the identity of the suspect was not particularly relevant since the tip did not include the name of an individual.
    5. According to state law, there is a requirement to give ID if there is probable suspicion. However, previous judgements suggest that the constitutional situation is that ID can only be required if their is probable cause.
    6. The police officer had inadequate evidence at the time the man was arrested of any crime except refusing to give an ID.

    --



    "As a writer / novelist you might want to spellcheck your sig. :) " - AC
  288. Being a cop yourself doesn't necessarily help by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 2, Informative
    The only way to get a cop to treat you like a person is to either be a cop, or a rich white guy.

    I saw a fascinating video clip on one of the US cop camera shows we get over here in the UK. IIRC a couple of state troopers had pulled a car over, alleging that it was committing some minor traffic violation. The driver, who happened to be a senior officer with a neighbouring force, clearly stated that he disagreed. During the following "discussions" he also identified himself as another police officer, and acknowledged that he was armed. He kept his composure pretty well considering, simply denying the charge and requesting that a supervising officer attend the scene.

    The state troopers became more and more agitated, muttering things about "He's got a gun" and "Call for back-up" every couple of seconds. Eventually, they sprayed the guy who was pulled over, and managed to restrain him; he didn't actually threaten them verbally, draw his weapon, or otherwise give any indication of impending violence or resistance, mind, just disagreed with the charge and asked for a supervisor to attend, and then sat on a fence at the side of the road waiting.

    It's all on tape from the arresting cops' car, but I'd love to know how it turned out; looks to me like two over-ego'd cops picked on the wrong guy, then got aggressive and wrongfully arrested him. They were pretty lucky the reasonable senior officer didn't decide to exercise his legal rights, probably resulting in a firefight (which, given the apparent incompetence of the arresting cops in negotiation, and the rather pathetic skills in unarmed restraint and use of spray that they demonstrated, probably wouldn't have turned out well for them, I'm thinking). The senior guy probably figured it wasn't worth the risk to all concerned, but I hope everyone got what they deserved out of that incident.

    --
    If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
    1. Re:Being a cop yourself doesn't necessarily help by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 1
      I saw a fascinating video clip on one of the US cop camera shows we get over here in the UK. IIRC a couple of state troopers had pulled a car over, alleging that it was committing some minor traffic violation. The driver, who happened to be a senior officer with a neighbouring force, clearly stated that he disagreed. During the following "discussions" he also identified himself as another police officer, and acknowledged that he was armed. He kept his composure pretty well considering, simply denying the charge and requesting that a supervising officer attend the scene.
      This is so typical of the little-yard mentality in the US. Municipal cops can't stand the state police, and they both have the same hatred to the FBI men who sure return the love in kind...
  289. Re:The Cato amicus brief says best what's wrong he by tehcyder · · Score: 1
    you have a right to remain silent

    You're lucky you're not in the UK, we got rid of that right a few years back - a jury/court are allowed to read guilt into the refusal of a suspect to answer questions by the cops now.

    --
    To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  290. Stop whining, its costs money by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    If someone was behind the wheel, they better produce a god damn drivers licence. Cops can just type in your plate number and get a bunch of information anyway. Now this idiot is wasting my freaking tax money for being a prick.

    1. Re:Stop whining, its costs money by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He wasn't behind the wheel you moron.

    2. Re:Stop whining, its costs money by gerardrj · · Score: 1

      The man in this situation was not "behind the wheel". He was standing outside the vehicle on the passenger side leaning in through the window.
      The driver's seat was occupied by his 16 year old daughter who had been driving the vehicle.

      --
      Article X: The powers not delegated... by the Constitution...are reserved...to the people
  291. Very Very Sad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Very sad state of affairs i must say. It makes you realize that with each passing day, the US is becoming more and more of a police state. I hope you are all ready for 1984, because its becoming more of a reality with each passing day. R.I.P - Here lies democracy, the dream we once had.

    1. Re:Very Very Sad by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      Very sad state of affairs i must say. It makes you realize that with each passing day, the US is becoming more and more of a police state. I hope you are all ready for 1984, because its becoming more of a reality with each passing day. R.I.P - Here lies democracy, the dream we once had.

      As a wise man once said... somebody should attach a turbine to George Orwell's body... you could solve the energy crisis with the power generated by him turning over in his grave.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
  292. Dudley Hiibel will lose by Anita+Coney · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Mr. Hiibel seems to think that the police had no right or business to investigate the fight between him and his daughter. However, because the police received a call from a witness, the police were duty bound to investigate. How our the police supposed to investigate a crime when they are not even allowed to obtain the identify the culprit?!

    Mr. Hiibel also seems to think that if he loses, police will be able to ask for the ID of any person they come across. But that isn't true ether. When he loses, police will have the right to ask for the identify of those they are investigating, IF they have a reasonable suspicion to investigate. Which in this case, the police clearly did.

    --
    If someone says he and his monkey have nothing to hide, they almost certainly do.
    1. Re:Dudley Hiibel will lose by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      When he loses, police will have the right to ask for the identify of those they are investigating, IF they have a reasonable suspicion to investigate. Which in this case, the police clearly did.

      They can already ask. At issue is whether or not you HAVE to produce ID on request for the police. This partly depends on state law, but even in states where there are such laws, the Supreme Court has ruled that you can't be arrested and charged under those laws without probable cause.

      Did probable cause exist with Mr. Hiible. Hell no. What cause was there? Did you watch the tape? Mr. Hiible did nothing "suspicious" EXCEPT refuse to show his ID. And you might note that the cop arrested Mr. Hiible before ever even speaking to the daughter in the truck and getting the situation clarified.

      This thing with Mr. Hiible is a clear cut case of the police abusing their authority... I don't see how any rational person could see it otherwise, really.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    2. Re:Dudley Hiibel will lose by Anita+Coney · · Score: 1

      The probable cause was the witness who reported seeing Mr. Hiible hit is daughter. That is MORE than enough probable cause for a police officer to ask for identification.

      --
      If someone says he and his monkey have nothing to hide, they almost certainly do.
    3. Re:Dudley Hiibel will lose by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      The probably cause was the witness who reported seeing Mr. Bhagat speakinging to a man of Middle-Eastern decent in hushed tones. That is MORE than enough probable cause for a police officer to ask for identification.

      Get real... a "witness" can call and report ANYTHING. Crackpots call 911 and "report" seeing UFO's land, day in and day out.

      The officer was on the scene, and from what we can see and hear in the video (which is presumably the same thing(s) the officer saw and heard) there is absolutely no probable cause to suspect criminal activity.

      What happened to Mr. Hiible was a travesty of justice, and plain illegal. If you disagree, I politely invite you to check your citizenship at the border, and move to Germany and volunteeer to chair the Gestapo Reformation Committee.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    4. Re:Dudley Hiibel will lose by 0111+1110 · · Score: 1

      Actually in some cases it's enough for a conviction, but in this case it was bogus. He could simply have arrested the man based on this accusation. He chose not to for whatever reason.

      At that point, the issue of the ID was irrelevant. This cop chose to make it an issue because he wanted to, because cops don't like being defied.

      --
      Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
    5. Re:Dudley Hiibel will lose by Anita+Coney · · Score: 1

      Your ignorant opinions simply do not matter. It's a simple fact that if a witness sees a person hit another person, then reports it, and then if a police officer sees someone matching the description, they CAN investigate. And that investigation can involve asking for ID.

      --
      If someone says he and his monkey have nothing to hide, they almost certainly do.
    6. Re:Dudley Hiibel will lose by oldstrat · · Score: 1

      Mr. Hiibel was arrested for failure to produce ID, watch the video.

      They have a right to investigate a complaint yes, but the question about "How'd you get home last night?" makes it quite clear the officer knew who he was.
      I am not required by law to have, or produce identification on demand, except in very clear circumstances, standing beside the road talking to your daughter isn't one of them.
      A complaint of a passer by is unsubstantiated without investigation yes, but rights don't stop because someone complains.

    7. Re:Dudley Hiibel will lose by oldstrat · · Score: 1


      Anita Coney -" Your ignorant opinions simply do not matter."

      And your 'informed' opinion matters?
      BS. Mz. Coney, I have some important news for you, Everyone's opinion matters, and the ability of the police to investigate is limited by law to ensure and protect the innocent as well as the guilty to prevent abuse.

      The road to promotion for an officer is paved with convictions, arrests, and closed cases.
      Unfortunately there is no promotion track that puts the primary focus on protecting rights of the accused.
      Hence we need laws to prevent abuse.

  293. He won't read this, but I'll try anyway. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hypothetically you: I'm not going to leave you back here without knowing who you are or having some other way of making sure your not going to attack me or run off.

    Bullshit.

    First of all, if you're afraid of being attacked you shouldn't have become a cop. I have absolutely no sympathy. There is no excuse justifiable in a free society for depriving citizens of rights to make police officers "safer." The pad-you-down-for-weapons searches should be illegal. Police should not be allowed to carry firearms on patrol.

    If you're afraid of the big bad criminals, don't become a cop. Because if you do, in a free society, you'll have to learn to work within the rules. Those rules mean, you don't ask for papers, you don't search nor detain people unless as a just citizen you have a reasonable basis to suspect the commission of a crime.

    I say "just citizen" and not "police officer" because what you might think is reasonable as an agent of the state is not what a free citizen -- who, I might add, is the reason for your existance and the origin of your authority -- believes is reasonable.

    If the guy assaults you, his ID won't protect you. If the guy runs off, you're going to have to chase him. Having his ID won't mame you any safer nor will it help you run faster to catch him.

    Police need to learn that as the weilders of the People's authority, they have fewer rights than the rest of us. It's trade-off. A check, and a balance, to the right to question and arrest people. Police associations should furthermore be banned from conducting political activities -- I never again want to see a cop commenting or offering his opinion on some piece of legislation.

    The sad part is that you wrote what you wrote earnestly, thinking your views are good and honest and right. It's very sad that police can't understand that in a free society they are to be held, at all times, as dishonourable, as suspect, and as ready to abuse their authority -- because if we don't make that assumption, it becomes too easy to destroy the thing that makes our society free.

  294. ok, this is crap by PokeBlor · · Score: 1

    From what I can tell, Mr. Hiibel instigated the confrontation. He could have easily complied but chose not to. Also, I have some experience in this field being a Police Officer. First off, a police officer has the right to ask you basic pedigree information, such as name, address, and reason for being somewhere. It is called common law of inquiry. No probable cause is necessary. However, the person has the right to refuse to answer these questions. At this point however, if the officer has reasonable suspicion that a crime has, is, or is about to occur, he may detain the person in order to investigate. The officer is also under no obligation to explain what he is investigating as that may put him at risk. (Think telling a murderer that you are investigating him killing someone) If you have reasonable suspicion, and the person does not produce ID, they may be detained until they are identified. Also, in NY, where I am a PO, it is not a crime not to have ID, but if I stop you for a crime or violation and you fail to give me your id when I ask and have it on you at the time, it is a violation offense. It is a class A misdemeanor also to intentionally lie to a PO about your name, address, date of birth, etc.

    My personal opinion is that Mr. Hiibel intentionally caused a confrontation with the police officer which could have been avoided if he had simply complied.

    1. Re:ok, this is crap by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Typical cop power tripping attitude. This is (or should I say, was) America. Where we don't produce papers for the Gestapo without probable cause, which this cop didn't have. The man is owed an apology by the officer and monetary compensation from the involved department. I bet if the officer had apologized after screwing this up, this whole thing could have been avoided.

    2. Re:ok, this is crap by Ancient_Hacker · · Score: 2, Insightful

      There's several issues being muddlesd together here. Do you have to give a cop your ID? ... You're probably within your rights to not volunteer that information. Does any cop have a right to take whatever steps he has to to figure out who you are? Most certainly YES, otherwise every criminal could just walk around without ID and just walk away from any cop that asks him for ID. In the Cowboy's case, it might have helped if the cop had said, "Ok, you can refuse to show me ID, but then you'll be standing here until we can find somebody to ID you, or until we fingerprint you and wait for the results. " That bit of simple explanation of the Cowboy's options may have helped the Cowboy mull over the consequences and thereby resolve the impasse.

    3. Re:ok, this is crap by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      Do you have to give a cop your ID? ... You're probably within your rights to not volunteer that information. Does any cop have a right to take whatever steps he has to to figure out who you are? Most certainly YES, otherwise every criminal could just walk around without ID and just walk away from any cop that asks him for ID. l

      ONLY if he has reasonable / probable cause to suspect that you are involved in a crime. That seems to have been pretty well established the in Brown v. Texas decision. Even in a state (like Texas) with a law requiring you to produce your id for the police, they can't invoke that unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you are involved in something criminal.

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    4. Re:ok, this is crap by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      From what I can tell, Mr. Hiibel instigated the confrontation. He could have easily complied but chose not to.

      How did he instigate anything? He cooperated with the officer, other than not producing his ID. One interesting question is whether or not Nevada has one of those "id on demand" laws, but even if they do, there has to be reasonable suspicion of criminal activity to justify arresting somebody under one of those laws. The Supreme Court clearly made this point in the Brown V. Texas decision.

      No, all Mr. Hiibel did was stand up for his Constitutionally protected rights... and for his efforts he got harrassed by a typical power-mad, egotistical, "wannabe tough guy" cop.

      The problem with cops is that too many of you guys are watching that damn "Cops" TV show and thinking that doing something "worthy" of an appearance on there, to demonstrate what a bad-ass you are, is a good thing somehow.

      One also has to wonder why the cop in this video didn't just go talk to the daughter and ask her what was going in. A few minutes of casual conversation with the two "suspects" could have cleared everything up, and avoided all this.

      You might also notice that the cop is the one who starts getting physical by reaching out and grabbing Hiibel's arm. Of course I'm sure police do that shit hoping to antagonize somebody into lashing out in anger, therefore justifying whatever happens next. Again, they've got to get some good video for "Cops."

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    5. Re:ok, this is crap by gerardrj · · Score: 1

      From what I can tell, Mr. Hiibel instigated the confrontation.
      Mr Hiible instigated nothing. The police came to him, the police could not answer basic questions about probably cause, and the police are the ones who commited all of the violence.

      First off, a police officer has the right to ask you basic pedigree information, such as name, address, and reason for being somewhere.
      The officer did not ask him any of that. The officer repeatedly asked him for his I.D. If the officer had asked Hiibel his name or reason for being there he may have gotten an answer, but the officer failed to do that in instead chose to play macho policeman games.

      If you have reasonable suspicion, and the person does not produce ID, they may be detained until they are identified
      I agree. but in this case there was at the time of arrest/detention any reasonable suspision. The officer had not even seen the supposedly assaulted female, never mind questioned her about the alledged incident. If there's one thing that the police should know after two days on the job, it's that witnesses are unreliable. People almost always exaggerate what they saw, or they add in details that they don't really see. This happens, usually, uncouncously in an attempt to help the police. Sometimes the police themselves are responsible for this with the manner or topic of questioning of the witness.

      Also, in NY, where I am a PO, it is not a crime not to have ID, but if I stop you for a crime or violation and you fail to give me your id when I ask and have it on you at the time, it is a violation offense.
      You are referring to a person driving a vehicle I think, where motor vehicle laws require the presentation of a valid driver's license when stopped by an officer. Or does the law require a pedestrian to also carry a driver's license?

      My opinion is that the patrol officers completely mis-handled this situation in their all too typical way.

      --
      Article X: The powers not delegated... by the Constitution...are reserved...to the people
  295. Thanks for the Cato link by bezuwork's+friend · · Score: 1
    Thanks for the Cato reference.

    Based on a referernce therein ...
    Arlington County, VA, Code section 17-13(c) Identification.
    It shall be unlawful for any person at a public place or place open to the public to refuse to identify himself by name and address at the request of a uniformed police officer or of a properly identified police officer not in uniform, if the surrounding circumstances are such as to indicate to a reasonable man that the public safety requires such identification

    I was once carded at Rocklands (there to get carryout), the bouncer said the law required I carry an id. Always wanted to do research on that but was too lazy.

  296. I don't even have any I.D. to give 'em by fadethepolice · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I missed a payment on a $100 fine right before christmas,1998, so they took my I.D. (AKA Driver's License) I got really aggravated 'cause I didn't even actually speed, and the police officer lied about it. She was eventually jumped and beaten by 6 hillbilly's. I don't know them. (They all live outside of town, I was on my way camping.) Anyways.

    About a month later I was pulled over by a cop who jumped in her car as I drove by, turned her lights on and chased me down. I was in a Camaro, everything was legal except me. She just did not like young men in camaros. She is famous for this in my town and has earned the name "ROBOB***CH". When I was pulled over, MY PAPERS WERE NOT KOSHER AS I HAD NOT PAID MY PROTECTION MONEY!!. Bang -- no license for a year just as if I was a drunk driver...

    What's a man to do who has to get to work...

    I drove until July 4 2003 continuously without a license. That's roughly 4 1/2 years. What's great is that twice on July 4 I got pulled over and asked for my papers. Both because of driving a 1970 pimped out caddy downtown.

    On July 4, 2003 Robob***ch again pulled me over.

    She did not remember me after the five year interval. You know how it is... so many lives ruined she can't even keep track of them. I drove by her at 10:00 in the morning in my Caddy. She was at a red light as I went through the green light at an intersection. Saw the car, the young man, the two women, and tailed me for 6 blocks looking for a reason to pull me over. I gave her none. She flipped the lights on and pulled me over Next she approached on the left, pulled a GUN on us and told me to give my driver's license and registration. I told her not until she told me why I was being pulled over. She had no reason, so she told me to step out of the car, put her gun away. Then she took me to the back of the car to talk some sense into me. I told her that she was a disgrace to the force for pulling me over on Independence day for no reasong and asking me for papers like a NAZI. This really got her mad. She told me she pulled us over for an inspection violation. I had the car inspected 2 days before, and showed her the date on the sticker. I would not tell her my name. The car was not in my name. I kept the police there for 4 hours. Neither of my women ratted me out, although Robob***ch screamed maniacally at one until she cried. Several more cops came, including the seargent.

    Eventually I told them who I was 4 maybe 5 hours later.

    This caused quite the aggravation in the law enforcement community. They had a sting operation for me. Next time I was out driving the caddy, they followed me, called up 6 cops for backup, served me with all my warrants, through me in a paddy wagon and took me to the magistrate. Since I would not give them my home address they labelled me as homeless, and indigent. My trial consisted of one guy in a dark room, me, and one police officer. I was never read my miranda rights, or given access to a lawyer. I was sentenced to 30 days in jail for failure to pay protection money.

    I used my one phone call to tell someone to bring money down and pay the fines. I had the money all along, but I don't let people take my money easy.

    Welcome to america

    The statute of limitation has not run out on appeal yet for my trial if anyone at EFF or ACLU reads this and you want to appeal my case.
  297. How'd it get this far by cr00ked · · Score: 1

    I can't believe this has gone as far as the Supreme Court. Why hasn't a lower court already struck this down?

    --
    I am neither insensitive nor a clod!
    1. Re:How'd it get this far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, why let that pesky thing like the Constitution and the Bill of Rights get in the way...

  298. Right to request ID by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I am a police officer in the State of Georgia, in DeKalb County. You said "The police officer did NOT have the right to ask his name," and also "The whole point is that you do not have to identify yourself to the police simply because they want to know who you are."

    I don't know about the particulars of this case, however, I will tell you that in the State of Georgia, we /do/ have the right to ask the name and information of any person in any public place (the roadway is considered a public place) at any time, for any reason. We don't need probable cause. We don't even need reasonable suspicion. You can like this or not, but the law has been upheld.

    The definition of public place, according to Georgia State Law is:

    (15) 'Public place' means any place where the conduct involved may reasonably be expected to be viewed by people other than members of the actors family or household.

    Furthermore, specifically in regards to a driver's license, the law says this:

    (b) Every licensee shall display his license upon the demand of a law enforcement officer. A refusal to comply with such demand not only shall constitute a violation of this subsection but shall also give rise to a presumption of a violation of subsection (a) of this Code section and of Code Section 40-5-20.

    This applies to not only drivers, but also passengers of motor vehicles. That has been upheld by the Supreme Court. I know this because it was on our recent legal update. It also applies to pedestrians.

    Asking for ID is not a violation of the fourth amendment, or any search and seizure laws. You do not have the right to refuse to show a police officer your ID. You have the right to refuse to allow them to search you, your vehicle, your home, etc. without probably cause, that is certain.

    Again, I don't know the specifics of this case, or what state this person was traveling in, though I'm reasonably certain most states have similar laws.

    However, I would make very sure that in your state (or country, etc.) that you know the specifics of the law, because in my county, if you refuse to show me your ID, I will take you to jail. I have done it twice so far in my career, and both times the conviction was upheld.

    1. Re:Right to request ID by Casualposter · · Score: 1

      Here's a good question for you then: what about the few people who either do not have their ID with them or simply do not have a Drivers Liscense or State ID?

      --
      Creative Spelling Copyright (2002). May use without Persimmons
    2. Re:Right to request ID by 0111+1110 · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      1.Remind me not to move to Georgia.

      2.Georgia, and probably the rest of the United People's Republic of America is now officially a "Police State". The police are always right. Civilians are always wrong. The Police are all-powerful and may kill or imprison at their discretion and whim.

      3.To anyone who does not see this as an obscene (and completely pointless) abuse of power, please renounce your citizenship and move to China ASAP.

      4. Would giving the cop the finger, making pig noises, and speaking in intimate terms about his mother, constitute a crime as well?

      Actually, I already know the answer to this. Cops are treated as Special Citizens in our republic. While it is legal to tease, insult, or be disrespectful of a regular citizen, to do so to a POLICE OFFICER is a serious, serious crime.

      5. Although I do appreciate your comments, you are a member of the US Gestapo. Please die as soon as possible. Thank you. Near the end of my life, I plan to kill as many pigs (not the smart kind) as I can manage to do before being killed myself. Hopefully explosives will have advanced by that time. I consider killing police in a police state to be as noble an act as killing members of the SS (Germany) or GPU (USSR).

      6. I am not posting this as an AC, but hopefully the Georgia Police do not have jurisdiction in my state. If you do then come and get me you f**ng pig!

      7. Do all cops vote Republican? Just curious.

      --
      Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
    3. Re:Right to request ID by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      The main thing is to be cooperative. I have a computer. I can look up your ID by your name and date of birth, so I don't actually need the physical ID. You can just give your information, and it works fine that way.

      Similarly, if you don't have an ID, that's fine too. Many people don't. If you're operating a vehicle, well then it's a problem.

      Please understand, I don't go around just randomly asking people for their ID just because I can. That's silly. My job is to serve and protect, not to harass and generally be a jerk. I do my best to treat every person the same, regardless of what attitude they show to me. Sometimes it's difficult -- as it is when people tell me they hope I die (see the post below yours).

    4. Re:Right to request ID by plague3106 · · Score: 1

      Asking for ID is not a violation of the fourth amendment, or any search and seizure laws. You do not have the right to refuse to show a police officer your ID. You have the right to refuse to allow them to search you, your vehicle, your home, etc. without probably cause, that is certain.

      What if you don't have an ID at all? I know in PA if you don't have a drivers license, you CAN get a PA non-drivers ID, but no where does it say you have to. I know people that have neither.

    5. Re:Right to request ID by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I'm sorry that you feel this way. I'm not entirely sure how to respond to a person who wishes my death, or even if I should, but none-the-less, I will try to do so to the best of my ability.

      Georgia is not a police state. As a police officer, I am held to higher standards of conduct than ordinary citizens. I have no more right to use deadly force than anyone who does not wear a badge. There are only three situations in which deadly force is warranted -- to defend your own life, the life of another, or to stop the commission of a forcible felony.

      To curse at, tease, or be disrespectful of a police officer is not a crime. People curse at me in the most foul manner imagineable every day. I ask them to stop, but I don't arrest them for it. One lady told me that she hoped all of my children were born crippled and died of cancer. She then called me a "motherf** pig slug, nigger-loving, white cracker, bitch ho." I'm reasonably certain I've heard just about every insult that could be leveled at me.

      Like all professions, there are some police officers who behave better than others. The bad ones seem to make more of an impression than the good ones, unfortunately, and given the highly public nature of the job, that is not surprising.

      Yes, sometimes I write people tickets for speeding and not wearing their seatbelt. I have the power to take away a person's freedom, and that is never something to be taken lightly.

      Understand however, that if you are bleeding in the street, I will try and save your life. If someone is holding you at gunpoint, I will try and take the bullet instead of you. If your husband (or wife) is beating you, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you escape from that situation. I chase after the people who want to steal your cars, break into your homes, and sell crack to your children. I stop child abuse, and prevent suicide. I teach kids lessons on how to remain safe, to prevent abduction, accidents, and other dangers. I will continue to do this for every citizen, regardless of race, sex, religion, political affiliation, sexual preference, economic station, or any other 'class' into which people are grouped. I will continue to do this regardless of whether or not a particular citizen wishes my death.

      I am not God. But neither am I the Gestapo, or a nazi. I try very hard to treat every citizen with the respect that I would like them to show me, even if they want nothing more than for me to die in the most slow and painful way possible.

      I don't think that any of my words are likely to convince you to change the impression that you have of police officers. I'm not sure what exactly caused the violent hatred you profess, but it saddens me.

      For what it is worth, I do not always vote Republican. In fact in the three elections for which I have been old enough to vote, I have voted Republican only once.

    6. Re:Right to request ID by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm not entirely certain of the requirements, or whether or not a person /must/ get an ID. In Georgia if you do not have an ID, I will ask for your name and date of birth, which you are required to give. You can't arrest someone for not having an ID, only for refusing to provide you with the information.

    7. Re:Right to request ID by bradkittenbrink · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I will tell you that in the State of Georgia, we /do/ have the right to ask the name and information of any person in any public place

      I have no doubt that your interpretation of Georgia law is correct, but the officer in this case acted legally under Nevada law as well. The point of this case is the argument that such laws are unconstitutional. The aclu brief argues that while officers have the right to ask for identification, people cannot be compelled to reply to their inquiries without probable cause.

      I bet you're right though, the laws in most states are probably similar and will all be affected by the result of this case.

    8. Re:Right to request ID by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Understand however, that if you are bleeding in the street, I will try and save your life. If someone is holding you at gunpoint, I will try and take the bullet instead of you. If your husband (or wife) is beating you, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you escape from that situation. I chase after the people who want to steal your cars, break into your homes, and sell crack to your children. I stop child abuse, and prevent suicide. I teach kids lessons on how to remain safe, to prevent abduction, accidents, and other dangers. I will continue to do this for every citizen, regardless of race, sex, religion, political affiliation, sexual preference, economic station, or any other 'class' into which people are grouped. I will continue to do this regardless of whether or not a particular citizen wishes my death.
      For what it's worth... Thanks
    9. Re:Right to request ID by nharmon · · Score: 2, Interesting

      7. Do all cops vote Republican? Just curious.

      Very few do, actually. Many vote the way their unions tell them, which tends to be democratic. Many vote for politicians who bath them in pork barrel spending (no pun intended).

      The individualistic, anti-Federalist stance of the Republican party runs contrary to the thoughts and feelings of many people in law enforcement.

    10. Re:Right to request ID by MrDingusMcGee · · Score: 3, Informative

      I realize I may be feeding the troll, but this is something definitely worth knowing:

      4. Would giving the cop the finger, making pig noises, and speaking in intimate terms about his mother, constitute a crime as well?

      Actually, I already know the answer to this. Cops are treated as Special Citizens in our republic. While it is legal to tease, insult, or be disrespectful of a regular citizen, to do so to a POLICE OFFICER is a serious, serious crime.


      ACTUALLY, this is not at all a crime. See the following summaries of two court cases which have upheld your right to verbally abuse a police officer as part of your constitutionally protected speech: (originally seen on the smoking gun some time ago in regards to this case.)

      4. A juvenile telling a police officer "fuck you" was held to be constitutionally protected speech. R.I.T. v. State, 675 So.2d 97 (Ala. Cr. App. 1995) (conviction for disorderly conduct overturned). The R.I.T. court reasoned that police officers are specially trained to deal with vulgarities and situations when others may be verbally abusive towards them, and thus "fuck you" was not likely to provoke a violent response.
      5. A juvenile calling a police officer a "fucking pig, fuckin' kangaroo" and telling the officer "fuck you" during a traffic contact was found to be constitutionally protected speech. State v. John W., 418 A.2d 1097 (Me. 1980). Just like the R.I.T. court, Id., the John W. court also reasoned that police officers deal with these types of situations on an every day basis and therefore "fucking pig, fuckin' kangaroo and fuck you" were not likely to invoke a violent response.

      --
      My Sig is Sauer.
    11. Re:Right to request ID by instarx · · Score: 2, Interesting

      First and foremost I want to apologize for the pathetic and stupid reply to your post by "111 0110". Attitudes like that only make things worse and creates an "us v. them" attitude amnong all parties. But it is also true that acts like those by the officer in Wyoming go a long way to creating mistrust of the police by the public.

      I will tell you that in the State of Georgia, we /do/ have the right to ask the name and information of any person in any public place (the roadway is considered a public place) at any time, for any reason

      I assume that "right" has been upheld only in Georgia courts. I hope that the Hiibel case in the US Supreme Court will put a stop to that particular abuse of law. Remember, in Nazi Germany carting Jews off to the gas chambers was perfectly legal, but that clearly didn't make it right. And before the flames start - it was just an example.

      I do know that Federal authorities have the ability to search bags at-will in airports and bus terminals without probable cause, and that may extend, unfortunately, to roads and police in general. I think it goes way too far if the police in Georgia have the right to demand my identity in any public place just because they want to know.

      I once made the mistake of getting lost in a rural Virginia town late one night and calling the local police department to ask directions to the Interstate. I was young then and still naively thought "the police were my friends" as I had been taught by my parents. Five minutes later I was surrounded by police cars, stood by the side of the road, questioned, and given a sobriety test - just because the police decided they wanted to. I learned that night that I may have friends who are police, but the police are not my friends.

      The next time you are in a group of people who are not law enforcement get a conversation going about police powers. Then ask for a show of hands by anyone who has ever been stopped for no reason by police and have had to undergo questioning when they had done nothing wrong. I think the number of hands will surprise you.

    12. Re:Right to request ID by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      ACTUALLY, this is not at all a crime. See the following summaries of two court cases which have upheld your right to verbally abuse a police officer as part of your constitutionally protected speech: (originally seen on the smoking gun some time ago in regards to this case.) ...


      Yeah sure. This "right" is followed closely by your right to have the living shit kicked out of you. I've seen bully boys in action. Thanks but no thanks. I'll do everything I can to stay UNDER the radar.

    13. Re:Right to request ID by Alsee · · Score: 3, Informative

      driver's license / motor vehicles
      I don't know the specifics of this case, or what state this person was traveling in


      He wasn't traveling, he was standing. Everything you wrote about driver's licenses and motor vehicles is off-point.

      I am a police officer in the State of Georgia, in DeKalb County... in the State of Georgia, we /do/ have the right to ask the name and information of any person in any public place (the roadway is considered a public place) at any time, for any reason. We don't need probable cause. We don't even need reasonable suspicion.

      Well, that Georgia law is most likely about to be declared unconstitutional. The Supreme Court usualy doesn't waste time accepting an appeal just let a lower ruling stand.

      in my county, if you refuse to show me your ID, I will take you to jail. I have done it twice so far in my career

      Then you oughtta pay attention to this case. If the Supreme Court acts on this appeal you may just get slapped with a lawsuit the next time you haul in someone merely for declining you ID request.

      Not answering questions is not a crime.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    14. Re:Right to request ID by Officer23 · · Score: 4, Informative

      The law applies to pedestrians, as well as anyone traveling in a motor vehicle. It applies to anyone in a "public place," which I defined in the previous entry. If the Supreme Court declares the law unconstitutional, then it will be repealed and I will no longer enforce it. I don't make the laws, that's not my job. I enforce them to the best of my ability under the circumstances I am given. I don't recall making any statement as to my particular feelings about the law. I am interested, as many are, to see what the Supreme Court says about the matter. In the past, the law has been held up as constitutional. For now, however, not answering questions -- specifically, not answering the question of your identity -- /is/ a crime. Even your right to plead the fifth amendment does not preclude you from having to state your own name.

    15. Re:Right to request ID by Officer23 · · Score: 2, Informative

      If an officer uses force on a person without cause, not only does the department suspend, if not terminate, us, but you also have the right to sue us in state and federal court. The county will not raise a finger in our defense in said courts if we have violated policy. Kicking the crap out of someone just for verbal abuse isn't worth my spending the rest of my life in a federal prison, making your family wealthy. (difficult as it may be to make anyone wealthy on an officer's salary).

    16. Re:Right to request ID by Squiffy · · Score: 1

      Hear, hear. I've run into a brutish cop or two, but most of them have been very civilized and professional despite the abuse they experience from some people. Sadly, the job of a police officer is usually a thankless one. Here are my thanks, too, to help balance that condition.

    17. Re:Right to request ID by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > I can look up your ID by your name and date of birth,

      But not if I refuse that information to you as well as my ID.

      > as it is when people tell me they hope I die

      I would like to point out that I agree with the other person's sentiment, although not to police in general. I don't want YOU to die, as I've never met you. There are about 10 police officers (and about 1,000 citizens, so cops aren't an exclusive party) that I would love to see dead. There are probably 75 cops I HAVE met and have no problem with, even the ones who busted my friend & I for possession -- because they were nice about it & not flashing guns & acting like jerks. I think the other guy meant this too, but as you are the only one IDed as a cop, you're an easy target.

    18. Re:Right to request ID by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > politicians who bath them in pork barrel spending (no pun intended)

      It should have been intended... It was really funny after trying to figure out for about 30 seconds...

    19. Re:Right to request ID by stephanruby · · Score: 1
      ACTUALLY, this is not at all a crime. See the following summaries of two court cases which have upheld your right to verbally abuse a police officer as part of your constitutionally protected speech: (originally seen on the smoking gun some time ago in regards to this case.)

      Yes, that is good to know, but does it really matter? If you insult a cop and if the cop has a thin skin, he can always take you in or fine you for some other *bogus* reason. This is not to say that all cops are bad, I'm just pointing out what some people are thinking.

      As to the guy who issued the death threat, he has some issues. He should also be aware that he can be tracked down for this. If a known spammer can be protected from death threats, I don't see why cops wouldn't be either. Cops probably have better things to do anyway, but it seems the guy is creating himself a self-fulfilling prophecy. Let's just hope he never gets pulled over.

    20. Re:Right to request ID by 0111+1110 · · Score: 1

      I am impressed that you would reply with such restraint to such an obviously angry post. It makes it so difficult when the enemy is nice. I just want to say that, although I do wish that all police in the world would just cease to exist, this is not personal. I do not know you at all. I do realize that there may be some POs who are genuinely nice people who have ethical standards they would not act against regardless of how unjust or cruel the laws were. Most blanket generalizations against any "group" of people are usually wrong. It is an unfortunate human tendency to generalize about such groups.

      The real problem is not the police per se, it is the citizens and politicians who put them up on a pedestal as better than the rest of us and give them so much power. In the US at least our now very old constitution and bill of rights was supposed to protect us from not only power-mad cops but power-mad politicians and even a majority that may want to curtail the rights of a minority.

      All of this is has been steadily disappearing over many years as the next generation regards whatever the current laws are as "normal". While the protection of our rights is steadily given up, the "rights" of one particular class of citizens known as the police are continually increased in the name of safety, of reducing "crime".

      Police are "where the rubber meets the road" in any government and as a government grows towards a tyranny, as individual rights are eroded, it seems natural for these armed agents of said government to be hated and feared.

      The more the US becomes like Soviet Russia, the more the police become thought of as the internal secret police (GPU) declaring war against citizens of their own country in the name of some political ideal (or just an exciting job).

      I am willing to admit that the vast majority of POs that I have had interactions with seemed like nice people. Most of my interactions have been for minor traffic offenses (speeding tickets mostly). Very few of them seemed to fear for their life when interacting with me or treat me like a serious criminal in any way.

      I haven't had any nightmare scenarios like my NY friend who was tackled and beaten for merely walking down the wrong street in Brooklyn.

      I have always been polite and even meek (since so many of them want some emotional domination) in my interactions with cops. I don't even really resent them for pulling me over. I know all too well that to them the whole speeding thing is just a revenue game.

      In fact, I have never really been ill-treated by the police in any way, although I have encountered my share of mentally challenged individuals. They usually just enforce their laws and go on their merry way.

      My hatred does not come from individual encounters in my own life, but from the unjust nature of the laws they are enforcing. I am sure there were "nice" GPU officers in the USSR, and nice SS officers in Nazi Germany. Again, those people were also just following orders, enforcing laws that they themselves had no responsibility for creating.

      Some people may cringe at such comparisons because clearly we are not(yet) talking about taking people from their homes in the middle of the night and imprisoning them or killing them for "political" offenses (although some of the drug laws could be interpreted as such). I think the point remains however. Enforcing unjust laws that violate a citizen's basic rights as a human being is wrong. It is a kind of crime. Perhaps the worst kind.

      I once had a somewhat lengthy conversation with a cop (after a traffic stop) about victimless crimes, and I almost had him agreeing with me that the lack of a victim did present a bit of a problem. He seemed unusually thoughtful, although when push came to shove he admitted that his job was to enforce all laws regardless of how silly or unjust they might seem to him. He (rightfully) blamed the politicians and encouraged me to vote.

      I do appreciate that you would be willing to save the life of a s

      --
      Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
    21. Re:Right to request ID by redog · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "not answering questions -- specifically, not answering the question of your identity -- /is/ a crime."

      If that is so and this is a public place, I demand to know:
      What is your name and address?
      What you drive?
      Who do you work for?
      What are you doing here?
      What brand is your computer?
      What operating system is installed in it?
      Has it been used to view pornographic material of any kind?
      If not may I search it?
      If you don't give me permission to search it I think I can provide a Judge in your county with enough information to show that a substantial amount of ISP customers in your county with similar ip address' have DL'd substantial amounts of kiddie porn from my honeypot. Are you willing to cooperate?
      How can you expect privacy if the public(police or imaginary police) has the right to know everything or anything?
      Where do you draw the line?
      Its also a crime in New Orleans for a woman to drive a car unless her husband is waving a flag in front of it.
      In Lexington, Kentucky, it's illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your pocket.
      In New Hampshire, law forbids you to tap your feet, nod your head, or in any way keep time to the music in a tavern, restaurant, or cafe.
      In Florida, oral sex is illegal.
      HA, Spring break oughta be a fun time to play police officer.

    22. Re:Right to request ID by graphicd00d · · Score: 2, Interesting
      How do the Jack boots feel? They comfortable?

      Out of all people you should know the Constitution. You took a oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States.

      Let me show you where you are in the wrong.

      Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

      If Deputy Dove was a "Peace Officer" instead of a "Police Officer" he would have asked questions and got a feel on what was going on and saw there was noting to investigate and leave but he had to be an ass and violate someones 4th ammendment right.

      This is the problem today. We have guys wanting to be police officers instead of peace officers and running amok.

      What's the difference between police officers and peace officers you say?

      Peace officers are there to keep the peace in the community and know and follow the Constitution. Police officers follow the orders of the city, county and state and are not followers of the Constitution.

      My advice to you is to read the Constitution and not be a drone of the state!

    23. Re:Right to request ID by Officer23 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Perhaps I wasn't entirely clear. A certified peace officer has the right to ask you to display your ID when you are in any public place within that officer's jurisdiction. I don't have the right to ask you any question that I want, nor do you have to answer any question that I ask you. The only thing you are legally obligated to provide is your identification (or, lacking that, your name and date of birth). I certainly never stated that the police have the right to know everything. You have the right to refuse consent to search and even if you originally give consent, you can revoke that consent at any time during the search.

    24. Re:Right to request ID by Officer23 · · Score: 1

      First off, I most certainly did not take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. I am a certified Peace Officer in the state of Georgia, and I took an oath to serve and protect the citizens of DeKalb County. However, I have taken classes on constitutional law, and, as I have stated numerous times, thus far the right of Police Officers to require people to display this far been upheld by the court. I have also read the constitution many times. I realize that the position of Police Officer only requires that a person hold a GED, but I do have a Masters Degree in English Literature, so being treated like someone who hasn't bothered to study the defining tenets of her profession frankly offends me more than the guy who said he wanted me to die. The police officer, by the way, did the absolute first thing that we are taught to do in a domestic situation -- separate the involved parties and keep them separated until backup arrives. Any domestic violence call is a situation in which you are assigned automatic backup, because they are among the most dangerous and volatile situations a police officers faces every day. I am not now, nor have I ever been a "drone of the state." I enforce the law as reasonably and fairly as I am able. Would I have handled the situation exactly as the officer in Nevada did? It's hard to say -- every officer is different. As for whether or not requiring a person to show ID violates the fourth amendment, I'll let the Supreme Court decide.

    25. Re:Right to request ID by instarx · · Score: 1

      Georgia is not a police state. As a police officer, I am held to higher standards of conduct than ordinary citizens. I have no more right to use deadly force than anyone who does not wear a badge.

      That may be true in theory, but in reality a police officer has a very high chance of being able to do anything he wants, legal or not. This is because of the law-and-order mentality that gives the police special privilege. Also the infamous blue wall of silence almost universally protects lawbreaking cops no matter what they've done. Do you remember the New Orleans police who were calling in hits over their police radios? And of course there is Abner Louima whose sodomy at the hands of police was the result of them mistaking him for another person who had talked back to them. According to the police involved no one did anything, no one saw a broomstick, no one ever went into that bathroom that night, and in fact the officers who were accused weren't even there. If none of the officers in those cases would turn them in for murder, assault or sodomy then what faith can we have that the police will ever be impartial or fair to the rest of us?

      You tell us...you are posting anonymously...if you witnessed a group of police officers committing a crime would you turn them in or would you maintain the blue wall of silence? Let's make it not so serious - if you saw a fellow police officer getting into a car drunk would you arrest him or park his car by the side of the road and get him a ride home? Remember if you break the code you will be ostracized, threatened, probably lose your job, and maybe worse. Tell us, please. We have the rare opportunity to talk to an anonymous introspective police officer. If you say you would arrest them and testify against them I will believe you.

      Like all professions, there are some police officers who behave better than others. The bad ones seem to make more of an impression than the good ones, unfortunately, and given the highly public nature of the job, that is not surprising.

      I agree 100%, not all cops are bad and not all are good - but man o' man that bad part is really bad. I don't hate the police, but I fear them. We've all heard about the officer who shot the family's playful dog in Tennessee, and we've also heard about the innocent man in NYC shot to death by an aggressive NYC undercover agent who kept badgering him for drugs and became angry when the victim told him to get lost. Rudy Giuliani even attacked the *victim* after he was killed, and defended the officer before any investigation was conducted. Neither of those officers have been punished. The list goes on and on - and if the list of known abuses is so large, how large must the list be of abuses we never hear about?

      Maybe you will try to take a bullet in place of a civilian, but I don't think that is the norm. About 12 years ago a robber was chased by police in NYC. He grabbed a woman hostage and used her as a shield. He turned to the police and pointed his gun. Both hostage and criminal died in a hail of gunfire from 10 cops.

      A close friend's boyfriend was arrested in NYC when he refused to give his name to police. He was just sitting in a restaurant with friends and the police mistook him for a snitch. He was taken outside roughed up and arrested. My friend was arrested when she objected. Neither were violent (although he's a jerk, I admit). Of course the charges were dropped but they had spent the night in jail. When they talked to a lawyer he advised them if they wanted to file a complaint they should move out of Manhattan first.

      I applaud your sentiments, but your reality just doesn't seem to be the world the rest of us live in.

    26. Re:Right to request ID by pchown · · Score: 1

      Just out of interest, did you support Timothy McVeigh? As I understood it, he tried to kill as many "pigs" as possible, specifically the BATF officers who worked in the building he bombed.

      I value my liberties as much as anyone else, but no Western country has reached the point where killing police officers could be described as resistance to oppression. Even the militias accepted that, McVeigh excepted. They were concerned about the future but they didn't feel that the present situation justified violence.

    27. Re:Right to request ID by jp10558 · · Score: 1

      You know, what's weird about this is that I have never in real life been in a situation where if police were involved that I would not help them out to the best of my ability. I can't even think of a situation where I would not attempt to assist them - outside of my paranoind fantasy's.

      If I was asked by a police officer who I was, I would tell them, and offer driver's licence or college ID or both if they wanted to see them.

      The only thing is I totally am against them being able to force me or anyone to do so. I'm not sure why that is - maybe because I like being able to volunteer information or not depending on the situation...

      I hope the Supreme Court finds laws like the one in Georgia to be unconstitutional.

      --
      Opera, Proxomitron-Grypen,GPG 0x0A1C6EE3
    28. Re:Right to request ID by vadar86 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      im sorry you think someone wants you killed.most adult males have been hassled by some cop who put on a uniform and gun and immediately has become a power hungry bully, unfortunately for us citizens,the good cops like your self ,do not help get rid of the morons that are in our police departments,crooked judges and crooked lawyers.the minute all good policemen stand up for common good of the public and uphold the laws,all the laws, and follow the constitution,then that will be the time all law abiding americans will once again trust policemen.

    29. Re:Right to request ID by redog · · Score: 1

      Very well, thanks.
      I had the pleasure of sitting down(to watch the video) with a local police officer, who enligntened me on several other things that could have been "charged". And although we did'nt see eye to eye on the treatment of the girl I think we both concluded that the Officer and the man should/could have had a much better encounter had the officer been genuinly concerned for the partys involved and had the man be cooperative.

      It also seems that the 2 have had prior encounters, being asked "How did you get home yesterday?" seemed a way out of place question.

      In any case thanks for the clairification and your public service.

  299. Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    eh not to defend what happened in these police states. The reason for "papers" was because of spies. It was wartime. Even the allied nations required I.D during wartime and the cold war period was no different. So i dunno if you really can make the comparisons.

  300. You can stand on a corner and say all you want. by BoomerSooner · · Score: 1

    To be brodcast #1 it costs money. #2 brodcast media is controlled by the FCC (I was giving an example of how speech/expression are limited all the time). No one stops free speech they can stand on the corner and hold their signs all day long (which is what happens). You however are generally prohibited from doing it within a certain distance of a polling site and via brodcast media for obvious reasons.

    1. Re:You can stand on a corner and say all you want. by boobsea · · Score: 1

      So what that it costs money? It costs money to produce pamphlets and postage for direct mail too. Why aren't those banned in the days before an election? Are you in support of this too?

      Free speech is being stopped if the government says "You cannot air political ads right before an election" on radio or TV.

      The reason why its banned at polling stations is because it would be a distraction that would inhibit the voting process and could run into some ethical issues. I do not see why its "obvious" that it would be banned on broadcast media, unless you were actually in support of censorship.

    2. Re:You can stand on a corner and say all you want. by BoomerSooner · · Score: 1

      I guess you're for kiddie porn then. If not you're for censorship. How about rape scenes in kid's cartoons?

    3. Re:You can stand on a corner and say all you want. by boobsea · · Score: 1

      No, your logic fails you yet again.

      If a child is being harmed in the production of the porn, then yes I am against it. That is not a free speech issue.

      As far as your cartoon issue, it should be protected under free speech (I'm a libertarian, and I understand that the Supreme Court has redefined the meaning of the 1st Amendment to exclude such things, but I am speaking in pure terms here), its the parent's job to instill the right values in their kids, not society.

      However, you continue to dodge my point. Who is being protected from who by banning the airing of political commercials on radio and TV? If you are in support of this, shouldn't you be in support of banning ALL political speech by campaigns and interest groups before an election?

  301. It is in Nevada by jasenj1 · · Score: 1
    From the Nevada Supreme Court decision:
    In pertinent part, NRS 171.123 provides:

    1. Any peace officer may detain any person whom the officer encounters under circumstances which reasonably indicate that the person has committed, is committing or is about to commit a crime.
    ...
    3. The officer may detain the person pursuant to this section only to ascertain his identity and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his presence abroad. Any person so detained shall identify himself, but may not be compelled to answer any other inquiry of any peace officer.

    4. A person may not be detained longer than is reasonably necessary to effect the purposes of this section, and in no event longer than 60 minutes.
    Therefore, in NV it is illegal not to identify yourself when asked by a peace officer.

    The argument then is that this law violates the US Constitution. What the NV law does not seem to specify is the manner by which the person must identify themselves. When an officer asks for ID is it enough to say, "My name is John Smith" or must you provide a driver's license or other "papers"? The Constitution seems to imply that citizens are to be secure in their "persons" and "papers".

    The crucial point seems to be that the officer had a report of a crime which provided all the probable cause needed to do whatever he felt necessary to investigate that reported crime. If the officer had just seen the truck parked by the side of the road and demanded ID there would have been no probable cause.

    This is a very good example of what happens when two stubborn, hard headed people clash and are unwilling to give in a little bit to the other side. Mr. Hiibel could have given up his ID; the officer could have toned things down and worked around the ID refusal. Instead, both felt they were well within their rights to get what they were demanding and weren't going to budge till they got what they wanted.

    I sympathize with both sides. In the US, it is our right and duty to make sure the Government isn't abusing its power. OTOH, the officer should be able to ensure his own safety, and a first step in that is finding out who you're dealing with and whether they are a known "bad guy". Unfortunately, the police always have to assume they are dealing with the worst kind of drugged up, violent, whack job, criminal; that very often makes them rather unpleasant to deal with. Try to be nice.

    - Jasen.
    1. Re:It is in Nevada by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      only a minor point or two.

      1. Any peace officer may detain any person whom the officer encounters under circumstances which reasonably indicate that the person has committed, is committing or is about to commit a crime.

      **Okay.. The call itself is NOT sufficient since it could be a false report. When the officer arrived there was nothing that would fit the above burden of proof.

      3. The officer may detain the person pursuant to this section only to ascertain his identity and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his presence abroad. Any person so detained shall identify himself, but may not be compelled to answer any other inquiry of any peace officer.

      ** Given the fourth amendment it would be overly presumptive that the law would INCLUDE id cards! It is a given that you are not required to carry ID, therefore it could not be assumed that it covered ID.

      Further when the officer asked for ID the first time Mr. Hiibel said that he was not carrying any. So logically he should have been asked his name. Beyond the above legal requirement to identify oneself there is the simple matter of common courtesy.

      Mr. Hiibel was not required to give up his ID even if carrying it! The officer was outside the bounds of the law in insisting upon being given what he is not legally entitled to. His insistence on ID could further be indicative of a desire to "run" the ID to see if there are any wants for Mr. Hiibel. Since there was not probable "cause" but rather suspicion (not sufficient to warrant the asking for ID since a crime has yet to "reasonably" been determined to have been, is being or is going to be committed IMHO), and that would be "Fishing". By giving up his ID without sufficient cause Mr. Hiibel would be allowing the violation, and further it would be a consent under duress.

      Now, your last paragraph though well intentioned and reasonable does touch upon a couple of areas.... The "known" bad guy... That would allow them to run the ID of everyone and that IS a violation of the fourth. As much as I would like my friends who are still cops to be totally safe, I for one am not willing to let that one go! Their right to security is no less, and no greater than your own right to it.

      The police frequently do assume the worst about anyone they stop and that goes with the job.... however legally they must PRESUME innocence until proven otherwise. For police that is a much lower burden then for a court of law but it is still there. What I mean by that is they can not automatically assume one is guilty from the get go. They must first show that there is a reasonable assumption and send it off up the chain. When they over step that is when you get people framed up for a crime because they are "guilty of something" and cops cutting corners and doing things that are not truly in the public good.

      It is for these reasons that we have the protections that we do have! There are compelling reasons for the police/state to overstep their bounds and your rights in order to protect themselves from harm.

    2. Re:It is in Nevada by rvega · · Score: 1

      This is a very good example of what happens when two stubborn, hard headed people clash and are unwilling to give in a little bit to the other side.

      The difference is that one of the people is a civil servant being paid to work strictly within the legal framework. The situations of the two people are like foreground / background: The private citizen enjoys all freedoms and rights not limited by the law; the civil servant has no rights to exceed his mandated authority.

      the officer should be able to ensure his own safety, and a first step in that is finding out who you're dealing with and whether they are a known "bad guy".

      I'm no cop, but I suppose that a much smarter first step would be to find out whether you are in a life-threatening situation, to secure the area as it were, and then proceed with an orderly, calm, reasonable investigation. Demanding an ID as almost your first act after stepping out of the car seems idiotic in a situation where you think your safety is in jeopardy. This cop didn't think he was in danger. He felt assured enough to act out his ego instead of doing his job correctly.

    3. Re:It is in Nevada by Arker · · Score: 1

      Therefore, in NV it is illegal not to identify yourself when asked by a peace officer. The argument then is that this law violates the US Constitution.

      Well I think it's clear that it does indeed violate the US Constitution, which in line with very long and well-established caselaw means that it is not, in fact, "illegal not to identify yourself..." in Nevada or any other State in the US. A statute which conflicts with a higher law, such as the Constitution of the State or the US Constitution, is null and void, completely as if it were never passed to begin with.

      The crucial point seems to be that the officer had a report of a crime which provided all the probable cause needed to do whatever he felt necessary to investigate that reported crime.

      Umm no. There was no "probable cause." Again, not even the State is claiming that there was.

      There was "reasonable suspicion." These are quite distinct, legally defined terms.

      Neither of them gives an officer authority to "do whatever he feels necessary" - only to do investigate within the paramaters the law allows. The police enforce the law, they don't make it up on the spot - or at least, when they do, they are no longer police, but criminals.

      --
      =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
      Friends don't let friends enable ecmascript.
  302. Here's why you want the cops to win this one by Syberghost · · Score: 1

    Unless you intend to completely give up on the idea of police arresting wanted criminals, these are the options:

    1) Keep biometric data on everybody.
    2) Arrest people if they look sort of like a wanted criminal.
    3) Arrest people if they can't show valid ID.

    Which one of those do YOU think is less of an invasion of privacy? Option 4 is "never arrest anybody unless you actually see them committing the crime right in front of you."

    1. Re:Here's why you want the cops to win this one by gerardrj · · Score: 1

      Option 4 is the only legally permissable reason to arrest someone that you put forth. You, like many other I think, mis-understand what the police are there for. You can only be arrested if you are witnessed commiting an illegal act, or there is probable cause to think that you have already commited an illegal act.

      Police are not crime preventers, that would require pre-congicence.
      The police are not there to protect you. There is only perhaps 1 on-duty, active patrol officer per 5,000 -10,000 citizens. One officer can not "protect" that many people.
      The police are not law enforcement officers, despite theit claims, for the reasons above. Law enforcement means that you prevent people from breaking laws/rules.

      The police are there to clean up after crimes and other illegal acts. Their job is to collect evidence and identify/find/arrest suspects an present all that to the proscecutors and courts where further action and punishment may occur. That's pretty much it, other than directing traffic.

      --
      Article X: The powers not delegated... by the Constitution...are reserved...to the people
    2. Re:Here's why you want the cops to win this one by psykocrime · · Score: 1

      Bravo! Well spoken, my friend... glad somebody here "gets it."

      --
      // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
    3. Re:Here's why you want the cops to win this one by Syberghost · · Score: 1

      You can only be arrested if you are witnessed commiting an illegal act, or there is probable cause to think that you have already commited an illegal act.

      You're not getting it. Let's say you rob a bank. I see you rob the bank. I tell the police "I saw gerardrj rob the bank".

      The police pull somebody over who looks like you. Should they be able to ask for ID, or do they just arrest everybody who looks like you?

      Probable cause doesn't accomplish anything if you can't arrest the guy because you don't know him personally.

      They pull over people who match the description, and they check their IDs. If the ID matches a wanted person, they arrest him. Unless the cops lose this case.

      If you refuse to show ID, you get arrested for that. Unless the cops lose this case, in which case all a criminal will have to do is just refuse to show ID and he gets off scott-free.

    4. Re:Here's why you want the cops to win this one by gerardrj · · Score: 1

      This all hinges on who or what witnessed the bank robbery.

      If your witness is a single person, there's not enough probable cause to be arresting anybody. Witnesses are notoriously fallible. Unless you have corrooboration of facts by several witnesses, or have video or photographic evidence on the crime, I don't see probably cause for arrests.

      See... if you tell the police that you saw me rob the bank, how are they to know that you aren't creating a distraction and pointing them in the wrong direction? Perhaps you robbed the bank wearing a mask that looked like me, and stayed at the crime scene to "be helpful".

      If they then find me, not driving a vehicle and I have no I.D., no money and no weapons on me then again, I state there is no probable cause to arrest.

      No-one should ever be arrested based on the testimony of a single witness, ID withholding or not.

      --
      Article X: The powers not delegated... by the Constitution...are reserved...to the people
    5. Re:Here's why you want the cops to win this one by Syberghost · · Score: 1

      If your witness is a single person, there's not enough probable cause to be arresting anybody. Witnesses are notoriously fallible. Unless you have corrooboration of facts by several witnesses, or have video or photographic evidence on the crime, I don't see probably cause for arrests.

      Congratulations; you just made rape legal.

    6. Re:Here's why you want the cops to win this one by gerardrj · · Score: 1

      I don't see, at all, how I did that.

      If a person can be arrested on the testimony of a single person, the accuser of all people, then the system fails and justice can not be done.

      What is to prevent a person from having consensual sex, then claiming rape? Nothing. The alledged victim would even have much evidence required to make a stong case, but the evidence just shows that intercourse took place and perhaps some of the circumstances of it. What it doesn't show is precense or absense of concent. People do thngs concentually that when presented properly could appear as rape.

      In a single-witness scenareo you wind up with two people's testimony, both are diabolically opposed on the key points, and both bear the same legal weight. Convictions are sporadic.

      When you go to third party witnesses or recordings of the incident, then you get to where justice can be served.

      My view is that unless the accused is a flight risk, that there should be no arrest until objective evidence is in the poseesion of investigators.

      --
      Article X: The powers not delegated... by the Constitution...are reserved...to the people
  303. I once talked my way out of a vandalism charge by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 2, Interesting
    One day, I was crossing on a green light when I was nearly ran over by a woman in a minivan. I naturally kicked hard at the side door, only to have the slut disappear on the horizon.

    A passing oxcart (up here, we call cops "beefs", hence the appropriate name for police cruisers) didn't lose any of it.

    Naturally, being assholes, they didn't care that the slut nearly killed me, all they did was the dent on the door of her holy sacred minivan. So they start giving me shit, and, first things first, they asked me for ID.

    Since there is no official "ID cards" up here nor any requirement to carry some, I simply hand over a business card. While the other beef keyed-in stuff in their terminal, the beef starts giving me shit for kicking the van, saying that this is vandalism.

    I said back, angrily, that the fucking slut nearly killed me. I then said, "let me hop aboard along with you, and let's go after the fucking slut so you can ticket her".

    Now, that they would have to ticket someone for nearly running-down a pedestrian was too much for them. The cop handed me back my business card, said "be careful next time", and they left (probably their blood donut level was too low).

    Assholes.

    1. Re:I once talked my way out of a vandalism charge by Tiny+Rhino · · Score: 1

      Heh. I don't know about the laws where cops are called "beefs", but here where they are called "pigs", you can't charge someone with a crime like that without a victim. Since the woman is long gone that's probably why they let you go. They can still stop and check you out though. ***Hrrmm... I think my blood donut level is low, I need a 12-pack!

  304. Why not? by Kombat · · Score: 1

    You want to fight something? How about stopping face-recognition software being used in public places to run a "ID check" on everyone without even their knowledge.

    Perhaps I'm being naive, but what's wrong with that? Background checks simply pull up a list of someone's prior police record, it doesn't get into any personal, irrelevant details like shopping habits, dirty magazine subscriptions or what have you. It simply says "The person in the photo has been identified as John Doe. He was convicted of misdemeanor posession of a controlled substance in 1992." Or maybe, "Mike Smith is currently wanted on an arrest warrant for murdering his daughter."

    What's wrong with that? Why wouldn't you want cops to be better able to find people with warrants out for their arrests?

    --
    Like woodworking? Build your own picture frames.
    1. Re:Why not? by the_mad_poster · · Score: 1

      You can't give any one group of people too much information. The benefit to this type of technology, organized databases, cameras, etc. might indeed be a safer public experience, but it comes with a tradeoff. It creates a centralized system that's ripe for abuse not only by the people controlling the information (look at the conglomeration of tax info in MA and the IRS wanting to use it track down "evaders" - the tax system is so ludicrously complicated that I can't even begin to imagine how many people would be labeled as crooks who thought they had done exactly what they needed to), but also anyone who can access it by illegal means. Information is not safe in one place. You can have watchdogs and standards out the wazoo, but the government is notoriously bad when it comes to enforcing such things.

      The issue is the increased POTENTIAL for abuse. Just because it might not be abused right away (although, given the actions of the current and last administrations, I find it hard to believe it wouldn't be), doesn't mean we should set something up for some screwball to get ahold of down the road.

      Besides, my odds of being murdered in the places that they'd install such critters are awfully damn low right now. Do you think they're going to go down to Liberty City and install this shit? Hell no. They'll put it in high class snobhoods to make the taxpaying populace think it's safer. Safer from what, I don't know.

      --
      Alito: A vote for Alito is a punch in the eye to put that bitch back in her place!
    2. Re:Why not? by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > high class snobhoods to make the taxpaying populace think it's safer. Safer from what, I don't know.

      You know, criminals.... like poor people and <whisper>coloreds</whisper>. At least that's how rich people around me act.

  305. Free State by g0bshiTe · · Score: 1

    Welcome to America, Land of The Free. Where upon our shores you are FREE, provided you do as we say!

    --
    I am Bennett Haselton! I am Bennett Haselton!
  306. Turning the US into the most hated country? by pjt33 · · Score: 1
    Simultaneously turning the U.S. into the most hated country on the planet was just an added bonus.

    I presume you're from the U.S., as otherwise you'd probably realise that the U.S. was probably the most hated country on the planet well before George W. Bush became President.

  307. HIV? by pjt33 · · Score: 1
    A fucking insulin needle can't do jack in comparison to these.

    Sure it can. You prick yourself, get blood on the needle, and claim to have AIDS.

  308. Maybe I didn't go to jail, but,,, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Similar story:
    A few years ago, I managed to fry a motherboard (different story) and had to buy a new one. Being the cheapskate that I am, I bought a couple off of a friend of mine, who lived within walking distance, and proceeded to walk over to his house and pick them up, along with a vid card, et cetera... Anyway I was walking home when a police officer (they are ubiquitous in Abilene, Texas) stopped me on the street. Granted, I am walking down the road carrying large PCB's under each arm. The conversation went like this:

    Officer: What are those? (motions)
    Me: Motherboards.
    Officer: Where did you get them?
    Me: From a friend of mine.
    Officer: Did you steal them?
    Me: No.
    Officer: Who's your friend?
    Me: Why do you need to know?
    Officer: To ascertain whether or not you stole those.
    Me: I told you that I didn't. But since you going to get it from me anyway, (gives address).

    At this point, the officer made me get in the back of his patrol car, and drove all the way back to my friend's house, interrogated him and me for about 15 minutes, put me back into his patrol car, drove me home, and talked to my parents (I was 17 at the time). Nearly gave them a heart attack. Oh, and he confiscated the boards. I got them back once I was home. I still haven't got that vid card, though.

    Peace and Love,
    Terry
    ->-

  309. Question is... by jcrash · · Score: 0, Troll

    Am I only one who watched the video, and thinks this guy was drunk on his ass? I can't believe he was lucky enough to dodge a DUI, and then has the gall to take this to the Supreme Court. And why is this on Slashdot?

    Why are you on slashdot?

    Most of us are of the progressive group of individuals that enjoy individual rights and freedoms.

    --
    I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them. Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)
  310. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by MyHair · · Score: 1

    No one sees the COPS footage were the innocent person was abused, found to be innocent, and then let go

    No, but listen to what those cops stop people for. Many times it's for driving through a certain area of town.

    Last night an episode of Cops caught my attention: A Texas officer (don't recall which department) said he was going to pull over this guy going 63 in a 55 zone. He gave a small speech about people speeding and foreshadows that suspects tell goofy stories. I was immediately suspicious that he left something out, because going 63 in a 55 in Texas is pretty ubiquitous,and I've flown past cruisers in the ditches at 8mph over the limit many times and didn't get pulled over. It was two latinos, and their stories didn't match, and a begrudgingly consented search of the car turned up tens of pounds of weed. On one hand I'm glad they caught some bad guys, but on the other hand did he pull them over because they were latino? Or perhaps he had another tip or cue that he was working off of but didn't tell the camera crew.

    Another thing about Cops (the show): I notice that the officer with the camera is rarely the first on the scene unless it's a preplanned bust. Perhaps this is just happenstance and reality (lots of cops in a city and few camera-worthy calls), but I suspect the cop is there to babysit and censor the camera crew; I suspect a higher-ranking officer is sitting at the station deciding to which calls to send the cop with the camera crew and which to avoid. Then again, this is probably smart since the camera crew are civilians that distract the cop and need protection in a weapons incident.

  311. OT - Sig by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Somewhere in Texas, a village has lost it's idiot.

    If you're going to call someone an idiot, you should at least try to get your grammar right.

  312. Re:Police Perjury - bring witnesses by HeavenlyWhistler · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It also made me think, that if he'd lie over a ticket he'd sure as hell lie over more important matters.

    Bingo! Remember that if you are ever sitting on a jury. If someone testifies, there are 3 possibilities:

    They are telling the truth.

    They think they are telling the truth, but are wrong (unobservant, incompetent, prejudiced)

    They are lying out their asses

    When you are on the jury, you have every right to say "this evidence is not credible" and ignore it. A not-guilty verdict is absolute and cannot be reversed by anyone. If it doesn't fit, you must acquit.

    I watched a trial in traffic court for a speeding ticket. The defendant brought photos that showed that there was no posted speed limit sign. The judge refused to look at the photos. He told the cop (the prosecution witness) to view the photos and tell him if the sign is on the road or not. The cop said that the speed limit sign existed but wasn't on the photo because it was "just off the edge". Guilty.

    In the traffic light case, she should have brought in 3 witnesses to testify that "I drive there every day and there is no light there". Also supply photos as backup to the witnesses. The witnesses also can rebut the cop when he says "these photos really show I'm right". You have to convince the judge that "my witnesses are more credible than the cop witness", which is a MIGHTY tall order since most judges think that cops shit ice cream.

  313. And by the same principle by phorm · · Score: 1

    As per the citizen/officer deadly force issue, what happens when a citizen is killed VS a police officer?

    Many places will make killing a cop (especially if said cop is in the line of duty) a more serious crime than murder of an average person. Why, murder is murder, but the police officer by defination may be putting his life on the line for the general citizenry.

    Even when the law doesn't make a distinction, a cold-blooded cop killer is often more looked down upon than your average psycho in court etc. Yes, there seem to be quite a few overpuffed officers out there, but there are quite a few that follow the dream of protection society and doing good for their fellow men/women.

  314. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by stuartkahler · · Score: 1

    No one sees the COPS footage were the innocent person was abused, found to be innocent, and then let go -- that would not make good TV.
    That wouldn't get them invited to ride along so that FOX can make more episodes. COPS is not a documentary.

  315. Fourth Amendment not for Everyone by Hrvat · · Score: 1

    Of course, this protection is only for citizens. US Permanent Residents are required to carry our Permanent Resident Card at all times and to provide it upon request. There is no mention of probable cause or anything else. Doesn't matter if they've lived here and payed taxes for 15 years.

    --
    TANSTAAFL
  316. No. by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    running the registration has nothing to do with it... if the vehicle is stolen and unreported, or has stolen plates (oldest trick in the book, steal clean tags from a like model vehicle), you've just lulled yourself into a dangerous complacency.

    I haven't seen the video either... but if the girl attempted to force the door open while an officer was holding it, I'm not at all surprised she was taken down and handcuffed. Attempting ANY sort of violence, and I do mean ANY, during a police confrontation is a sure way to get beat/taken down and handcuffed. The funny part is this: if he was a bad cop, by losing your temper and doing something dumb, you've just given him a legal blank check to do what he wanted to do in the first place.

    I'm absolutely amazed by the number of /.'rs who cannot see the tactical stupidity in such a move. Control your temper... you can't win a street confrontation with a cop, because even if you can kick his ass, he's got a magic box called a radio that he can shake, and 20 (now very angry) guys just like him fall out of it.
    .

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
  317. So.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    The constitution only applies in cities and not in rural areas?

    Ha! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! This is the LAW OF THE LAND. Sure, how it's enforced is another matter. But there are certain basic rights all citizens are entitled to. Simply living in a rural area does not nullify those rights.

    Are you implying that the bill of rights may not apply to rural areas? Because that's what it sounded like, reading your post. It sounds like you're justifying such things as racial discrimination against blacks in rural areas.

    Besides that issue, regarding the Nazi state issue: What the original poster was NOT implying was that this case would mark our country turning into a Nazi state. What they WERE implying was that if this case is ruled in favor of the police force, it will be one step along the way of increased police power, to an eventual police state. The police want the power, there are people in power who want the police to have power, and so the logical conclusion is that the police will get the power.

    I'm not sure about you, but I'd rather have my bill of rights than righteous cops with Terminator-esque attitude towards law enforcement (as a result of their increased power).

    Sure, it might be an overreaction. But what if it's not?

    1. Re:So.... by Tiro · · Score: 1
      I'm not trying to justify the overly presumptive nature of rural cops--I was trying to explain it. I know police overstep their boundaries in rural areas, as well as here in Chicagoland. However I was trying to add an extra dimension to the debate, so we aren't purely demonizing the cops, but helping to understand the overall structure of the situation so that sensible responses can be formulated.

      On the issue of black Americans, you're absolutely right. What went on violated the letter of the Constitution but for various political reasons survived for 100 years until the Voting Rights Act. And still happens today to an extent. But I was trying to distinguish the origins from the structure of Nazi governance, in order that we might reflect on both.

  318. Canada? by phorm · · Score: 1

    Ya know... if I were treated like that I would probably want to be sent to Canada. Who wants to live in a company that sticks your rights down the crapper?

    Seriously, when I think about it Canada has been somewhat of a haven in the US, from those trying to escape black persecution to those trying to avoid being drafted into a useless war.

    1. Re:Canada? by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > Who wants to live in a company that sticks your rights down the crapper?

      Company isn't the right word there... "Corporate Conglemerate" may be better. Oh, did you mean Country? Nah, probably not.

    2. Re:Canada? by phorm · · Score: 1

      Country yes, company no... and of course I should probably not read articles and post at the same time.. it gets confusing

  319. Re: Scalia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    He's partisan -- not stupid.

    If the oil companies don't have an interest in the case, he might actually be objective.

    ...Then again, all it takes to screw up a good decision is for somebody to catch on to the trick of buying him an all-expenses trip to a private golf-resort on a private airline.

  320. lazy cops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My wife called in to report some vandalism in our neighborhood. When the police came to our door, they tried to badger her into admitting that she was the vandal so they wouldn't have to work. They didn't do any investigation, and we learned better than to report anything to the Gestapo here in WI as well.

  321. Another reason to join the Free State Project by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    20,000 Liberty Minded People, all fighting against this sort of thing, doing in one state.
    Check out the Free State Project

  322. Star of David by nycsubway · · Score: 1

    The other fact is that 6 million jews were killed along side the homosexuals and gypsies. The jews were forced into ghettos where walls were built to keep them seperated from outsiders. The people who were persecuted and murdered other than jews were few in number, not nearly as many as the Jews themselves.

    Any kind of identification tag is a bad thing. The jews wore a star because it was the shape of the star of david.

    If you want more information or to see what the Jews went through in WWII, go to the holocaust museum in NYC. It's extremely informative, and despite what some people would say or choose to ignore, the parallels between Hitler's rise to power and what is happening in the united states is strikingly similar.

    If you happen to go to the museum, the last exhibit you see before you leave is the most troubling. It was a Torah stolen by the Nazis. They were keeping it with the intention of displaying it in a museum of the history of the extinct jewish race.

    1. Re:Star of David by Bob+Uhl · · Score: 2, Insightful
      The people who were persecuted and murdered other than jews were few in number, not nearly as many as the Jews themselves.

      The commonly-accepted number is 6 million Jews, 2 million others. That's 1 other killed for every three Jews killed; hardly a few.

      The Holocaust Museum in Washington is nicely balanced, I thought.

    2. Re:Star of David by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The people who were persecuted and murdered other than jews were few in number, not nearly as many as the Jews themselves.

      This is Jewish (Israeli?) propaganda. I heard 4M Jews 2M "others" for a total of 6M, but to say "6M of us died in the camps" is more impressive when lobbying in this politically correct era.

      I have some Gypsies ancestors; when I look around I see nothing for the Gypsies, no museums, no compensation from "some" countries or banking systems, no lobby, no "Land without a people for people without a land", no scholarships, no Hollywood production, no special fundraising.

      But then 98% of the gypsies got "eradicated" by the Nazis, a genocide if one ever happened. It's hard to start a lobby when no one is left around, and since everyone hated the Gypsies: Germans, French, Jews, Italians, pretty much all of Europe not many people ever talks about them.

      The Jews got killed in greater numbers yes, but they where already everywhere in the world, 6M is horrible but how much of them did that represent? With 98% of the Gypsy killed, and none living in the culture and ways of their ancestors, they are slowly forgotten and remembered as a curiosity that survived shortly after the middle age.

  323. Re: a possible solution to the problem by Hrvat · · Score: 1
    1)Try to have as little to do with them as possible
    2)Be polite when you do have to deal with them
    3)Get to know them, and let them get to know you, in polite, friendly situations


    My god, shouldn't we do this with everyone we see?

    I can't believe some of you people.

    "I will be a freaking jerk because it is my right to be. I will take 10 minutes from this guys time because it is my right, and I don't care that those 10 minutes might be the 10 minutes in which he might prevent a crime or arrest a criminal because he was around the corner as opposed talking to me."

    Sure I can stand up for my rights. But I know what are my rights, and I know that I can still freaking give some information and be helpful to a person that is making my neighborhood safer.

    Yeah, so I might get harrassed sometime because I match a suspects description. But I don't have anything to hide. And I understand that THIS IS WHAT I CHOOSE TO DO TO BE PROTECTED FROM SCUM who will think nothing of putting a dent in my head.

    I don't know where you people live but what I see on this board is just amazing.
    --
    TANSTAAFL
  324. Re:Your best bet is to get over it by Kombat · · Score: 1

    I for one cannot accept injustice, and stop and nothing to correct situations, even if it takes years, or a lifetime.

    Spoken like someone without a wife and kids to support.

    Do you think you're the only person who's ever felt this way? Do you really think that NOBODY who's ever gone up against the government has felt the way you do? Why do you think they backed down?

    One word: Reality.

    --
    Like woodworking? Build your own picture frames.
  325. Wow, was this reply stupid by hellfire · · Score: 1

    If you are a cop, your first role is PROTECTION. That includes the protection of yourself. This man is describing his precautions because most situations he's going to be in are going to be hostile. He's not afraid, just careful.

    This makes the rest of this reply completely inane because it's based on a premise that the cop is afraid.

    So, it will be I who calls bullshit on this bullshit.

    --

    "All great wisdom is contained in .signature files"

  326. Consent searches by TFloore · · Score: 1
    He comes back after seeing that I had minor history, says he wants to check the car.
    and
    I was broke down, waiting for a tow truck. They searched me, searched the car.


    The cops will say "We'd like to search your vehicle."

    Then they stop, and wait, and look at you significantly. They are waiting for you to say "Okay, go ahead and search it."

    This is a consent search. They are fishing, and need your permission to search your vehicle. Simply say "No, I'd rather you didn't" and, not having your consent, they won't search the vehicle.

    Yes, it really is that simple.

    Cops will ask for a lot of stuff they have no right to demand. And when you say "Okay" you gave permission. Simply don't say okay. Don't be impolite. Don't be insulting. Just respectfully say "No."
    ==
    --
    This is my sig. There are many like it but this one is... Oops. Frank, I've got your sig again! Where's mine?
  327. Larson or Lawson?? Case by MountainLogic · · Score: 1

    I seem to remember a case that went up to the Supreme Court from California during the 70's or 80's where a person refused to produce ID when asked by police while walking. His crime was WWBIRWN (Walking While Black In A Rich White Neighborhood). The pedestrian won.

  328. Canada is no better. by phorm · · Score: 1

    I'll let you all in on a little secret... it seems that it's not really any better in the rest of the world. Those who have power will use it, and sometimes they will abuse it.

    I've got tons of stories from friends and some of my own. From personal account, I've been accused of a few things but never found guilty (because I wasn't) - but definately had to go a ways to prove it.

    The best one:

    I was dating a girl in a nearby town about 1h away (city X). While back at home (city Y) I received a call from the local RCMP (Canadian police) in which the officer accused me of stealing from a Roger's video in city X a week earlier. Now, I asked how this could be, and he said that somebody had pulled my plates as I drove off, and that there was a recording on a surveillance camera. Though I denied taking any video the officer told me several times to "turn myself in and return it so I just got fined instead of a record."

    I'd been at the Roger's the prior week, so I thought maybe there was a mistake of some sort, and I volunteered to come in and he could see if I was the one really the one in the video. At that point he balked a bit, stating that he didn't have it, just a printout that it was in city X.

    So that little part annoyed me a bit, he was strongly accusing me stating there was "evidence," but all he'd ever seen was a piece of paper with my name.

    Now we go a little further... I called the video store in city X and got to speak to the owner. I explained the situation and asked if she could (please) check if the tape was in fact on-shelf, and maybe had been misplaced. She checked the computers... and found that no such tape existed (not checked out/stolen, but never stocked). I told her about my conversation with the overzealous officer and she told me something else, there are no security tapes, just monitoring cameras.

    The owner was quite helpful, I got her to contact the local police with my casefile and let them no that not only was I innocent of the "theft," but that no theft had in fact occurred.

    The case just went away after that... no more annoying police phonecalls, and no apologies.

    A few weird things that came up though:

    a) If somebody tagged my plates while I drove away after the alleged incident, why didn't they call me or pull me over somewhere earlier than a week post?

    b) The officer stated that it was somebody "matching my description, wearing a trenchcoat and etc etc." At the time I was prone to wearing trenchcoats, but the weekend of the alleged incident I had recently been gifted a new jacket and was not wearing trench. Odd?

    The only good that came from this case. My mother was stopped for doing a rolling stop at a sign. The officer was the same one that had harrassed/accused me over the phone and recognised the last name on her ID. When he asked her about the case, she said that the video store owner had helped clear things up as it was a mistake. He mumbled something about "having heard something like that" and let her off without a ticket.

    But really, if I hadn't called the store owner - how far would this have gone? Sounds like a crank call implicating me was made.... so how well exactly did they call and verify that an illegal act was committed much less that I was involved? Nowadays you trust yourself first, and it seems that you have to do your own legwork to get the police off your back.

    Do I distrust police? Yes. Do they make me nervous? Yes. Would I just give out my ID to anyone? Probably no.

  329. Re: a possible solution to the problem by Queuetue · · Score: 1

    The person who wasted 10 minutes wasn't the guy in the hat - it was the cop. If he had asked the questions he had to, determined there was no issue and taken off, there would have been no problem.

    It was the deputy's insistence on violating the rancher's rights that wasted all that time and money, and maybe kept that "what if" crime from being prevented.

    Functioning freedom requires eternal vigilance. Usually foisted upon authority by belligerant yahoos, often while drunk. That means excercising those rights, whether you have anything to hide or not. If you're afraid of being dented, get yourself a baseball bat, or maybe work to help the world create less scum. The cops aren't going to help you, because prevention isn't their job - they do followup work.

  330. They Need to read How to win friends and influence by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    people.

    Good book. Every cop should know it by heart.
    Save THEM and everyone else around them a world
    of grief EVERY day!

    Cops have it pretty bad in the US these days.
    Hard to be an enforcer when you don't agree with
    half the laws you are obligated to uphold.

  331. Re:What if the guy killed her? by 0111+1110 · · Score: 1

    I agree. The safest course of action is simply to arrest every male over the age of 10 (since women are innocent until proven innocent). Needless to say this would stop 95% of all crime, including murderers. Why bother to wait for evidence. After all we are all potential criminals and should be treated as such.

    Actually, an even better idea would be to simply kill all humans ASAP. Clearly this would reduce crime considerably. People cannot commit crimes when they are dead. I believe that this may also give us a solution to our nuclear stockpile issues. Perhaps it's time to just use it. All of it. And let's face it. We need to get this done ASAP, maybe even before the next /. news article.

    --
    Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
  332. Fallacious Subtitle by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    While watching the video, listen closely during the segment when the cop asks, "How'd you get home yesterday?" That subtitle is bogus, what he's actually saying is, "How much alcohol have you had to drink?"

  333. A nice summary of the ramifications of this... by psykocrime · · Score: 1

    Here's a good article
    that does a nice job of summarzing why it would be a Bad Thing for the Supreme Court to find against Mr. Hiible.

    Text mirrored here without permission:

    ---
    Must Americans Carry Identification, or Else Risk Arrest?
    This Term, The Supreme Court Will Decide
    By DANIELLE SUCHER
    ----
    Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003

    In France and many other countries, citizens and travelers alike are required to have their identification on their person at all times. In the U.S., however, that is not the case. We live in a society that prizes the right to privacy, of which anonymity is a facet.

    This may soon change. This Term, in the case of Hiibel v. Sixth Judicial District Court of Nevada, the Supreme Court will decide a case that asks the following question: Does the Constitution permit a police officer to arrest someone simply because, when stopped under reasonable suspicion, that person fails to produce identification?

    The federal judicial Circuits have split on this issue. The Tenth Circuit has upheld a similar statute in Oliver v. Woods, while the Ninth Circuit has struck another down in Carey v. Nevada Gaming Control Board. The Nevada Supreme Court -- which issued the decision the Supreme Court is reviewing -- has already held that this type of arrest does not violate the Constitution.

    It would be a serious mistake for the Supreme Court to agree. Because the standard for reasonable suspicion is very low, the upshot of such a decision would be to require all citizens, immigrants, and travelers in America to carry identification at all times -- and to be prepared to produce it for inspection.

    The Low Standard of Reasonable Suspicion

    Reasonable suspicion is an extremely low standard -- even lower than probable cause. In practice, it merely requires the police officer to be able to articulate some reason why he found you suspicious -- which is generally very easy to do, particularly under the vaguely defined "totality of the circumstances" test that is used.

    Under the leading Supreme Court decision in Terry v. Ohio, passing by the same storefront too many times can trigger "reasonable suspicion." Under the recent Supreme Court decision Illinois v. Wardlow, it may trigger reasonable suspicion if, in a dangerous area of town, a person runs when he sees a police officer approaching. Under a case decided by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, United States v. Cruz, simply walking alongside the wrong acquaintance can trigger "reasonable suspicion." Racial profiling can be factor when articulating reasonable suspicion, as can the crime rate of the neighborhood you are in or the activities of people you know.

    In sum, no one can be sure he or she will not trigger "reasonable suspicion," in the eyes of a police officer (and in the eyes of the law). Suppose that the Supreme Court affirms the decision in Hiibel that "reasonable suspicion" plus the failure to produce identification can constitutionally lead to arrest. If so, all Americans will be well-advised to carry I.D. at all times.

    Otherwise, they may risk unwittingly triggering "reasonable suspicion," and thus being arrested merely, in effect, for failure to produce identification.

    Why It Would Be Wrong To Force All Who Travel in America to Carry I.D.

    Being required to carry I.D. may not seem to be a problem. Many people carry identification with them at all times already -- carrying a driver's license in their purse or wallet, or if they are younger, a student I.D. card. For them, having to show I.D. would be only a slight inconvenience.

    Moreover, in this age of the "war on terrorism," some may consider it to be a good idea for the police to be able to "card" anyone on the street about whom they have a hunch. There are those who believe that the inconvenience is somehow balanced by an increase in the safety and effectiveness of the police.

    If we do not g

    --
    // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
  334. As long as I'm burning karma by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    The original poster is right.

    The cops in LA were up against better-armed and better-equiped adversaries, and were pinned down at long range by rifle fire.

    The men in the North Hollywood shootout that you are referring to were using several types of weapons... one had an HK-91 and another had a fully-automatic Hungarian AK with several drum magazines of ammunition (drums can hold 100 rounds). The HK-91 fires a .308 round with an maximum effective range of 1000 yards. The AK fires a 7.62x39 round with a typical effective range of 4-500 yards. The LA police had Beretta side-arms, firing a conventional 9x19 round, (maximum effective range of 200 yards) and shotguns with no slugs (maximum effective range of 00-buck is 75-100 yards). The criminals in question had also made full body armor suits for themselves out of old vests... they were gym rats and gun nuts who came prepared.

    The police were unable to hurt either of those criminals with the weapons they had, particularly at the range at which they were being engaged... one of the two men eventually killed himself after he'd exhausted his ammunition for his long-gun... the other was killed by SWAT officers with mp5 submachine guns, who shot from cover at close range; skipping rounds off the concrete under the suspect's car to take out his legs (he bled to death from a femoral artery hit).

    I don't think you understand this very well.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
  335. Nevada Supreme Court - Dissenting Opinion by psykocrime · · Score: 2, Informative

    Here's what a Nevada Supreme Court justice thought of this decision. Clearly this justice is the one who really understands what's going on here: (emphasis added)


    AGOSTI, J., with whom Shearing and ROSE, JJ., agree, dissenting:

    As the majority aptly states, the right to wander freely and anonymously, if we so choose, is a fundamental right of privacy in a democratic society. However, the majority promptly abandons this fundamental right by requiring "suspicious" citizens to identify themselves to law enforcement officers upon request, or face the prospect of arrest. I dissent from the majority's holding that the identification portion of NRS 171.123 is constitutional.

    It is well-established that police officers may stop a person when reasonable suspicion exists that that person is engaged in illegal activity.[1] However, it is equally well-established that detaining a person and requiring him to identify himself constitutes "a seizure of his person subject to the requirements of the Fourth Amendment."[2] In light of these constitutional requirements, the United States Supreme Court has stated that although the officers may question the person, the detainee need not answer any questions.[3] Furthermore, unless the detainee volunteers answers and those answers supply the officer with probable cause to arrest, the detainee must be released.[4]

    The Fourth Amendment requires that governmental searches and seizures be reasonable. Reasonableness is determined by "a weighing of the gravity of the public concerns served by the seizure, the degree to which the seizure advances the public interest, and the severity of the interference with individual liberty."[5] A court's primary concern in weighing these interests is to assure "that an individual's reasonable expectation of privacy is not subject to arbitrary invasions solely at the unfettered discretion of officers."[6]

    Anonymity is encompassed within the expectation of privacy, a civil liberty that is protected during a Terry stop. The majority now carves away at that individual liberty by saying that a detainee must surrender his or her identity to the police.

    I agree with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' reasoning on the issue of whether a person may be arrested for refusing to identify himself during a Terry stop.[7] In Martinelli v. City of Beaumont,[8] a woman was arrested for delaying a lawful police investigation by refusing to identify herself during a Terry investigation.[9] The court held that allowing the police officers to arrest the woman for failing to identify herself in effect allowed the officers to "'bootstrap the authority to arrest on less than probable cause.'"[10] The court determined that the woman's interest in her personal security outweighed the "'mere possibility that identification may provide a link leading to arrest.'"[11]

    More directly on point, the Ninth Circuit in Carey v. Nevada Gaming Control Board[12] addressed the constitutionality of NRS 171.123(3), the very statute at issue here. In Carey, a casino patron brought a claim under 42 U.S.C. 1983 against a Nevada Gaming Control Board agent for violating his Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.[13] The agent was called to a hotel to investigate Carey and another man, who were both suspected by hotel employees of cheating.[14] The agent caused the men to be detained, identified himself, indicated he was investigating gaming law violations, read them their Miranda rights and conducted a pat-down search of both detainees.[15] During the Terry investigation, the agent determined there was no probable cause to arrest the men for gaming violations.[16] However, when the agent asked the men to identify themselves, Carey refused, and he was arrested pursuant to NRS 171.123(3) and NRS 197.190.[17] On appeal, the Ninth Circuit noted that the agent had reasonable suspicion to conduct a Terry stop, and also probable cause to arrest Carey

    --
    // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
  336. My encounters with police by danila · · Score: 1

    I was born in 1980 in Leningrad, Union of Soviet Socialist Republic. Today I still live in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. So far I've been stopped by police, let me remember... just about 5 times or so. First it happened when I was 4 years old (1984, get it! :] ) and took my girlfriend (was I lucky :] ) to a walk to my grandparents (a 30 km hike across the city). :) Was taken to a police station, questioned, detained and shown some cool stuff, including guns (they even let me hold one :] ). Then was stopped once (in 1990s) when I forgot my metro pass and was trying to stowaway. I ran away, though. :) Then once again in metro, when I was asked to show what was in my bag (I was on my way to the railway station and then to Finland). And was asked two or three times more, always in metro. That's it. And nobody else ever asked me for an ID (except for administrative purposes, like when I am hired, enter a university, etc.). Other than government issued ID I used a one in a business-centre where I worked and a student ID to enter the university building.

    That's about it. Unfortunately, in other respects Russia is less free. For example, a passport is needed to board long-distance train or plane. :( On the other hand, nobody asks us to remove our shoes or do other crazy stuff like that in the airport. Still, it's no paradise, but for other reasons mostly. Moving to a decent country, preferably Switzerland or something like that, remains a priority...

    --
    Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
  337. Self-defense != No problems by jsrjsr · · Score: 1

    If you're a citizen, and you kill someone in self defense, there aren't any problems.>/i> Well, if you think spending lots of money to defend your self isn't a problem... Go search for a few actual cases of self-defense and the aftermath and you'll quickly see a number of horror stories. Citizens can go about their lives normally and all we ask in a self defense case is "did they THINK their life was in danger and did they THINK that the only way to avoid it was to use deadly force?". That doesn't cut it with cops, sorry. People can make mistakes, surgeons and lawyers and cops CAN'T. <IANL> The standard in Wisconsin for the use of deadly force is: Would a reasonable person believe that they (or someone they're defending) was in danger of death or grave bodily injury? The same standard also holds for police. 'Course, police poke into things that the rest of us would probably just walk away from... &lt/IANL>

    1. Re:Self-defense != No problems by jsrjsr · · Score: 1

      I hate clicking on the wrong button!

      If you're a citizen, and you kill someone in self defense, there aren't any problems.

      Well, if you think spending lots of money to defend your self isn't a problem... Go search for a few actual cases of self-defense and the aftermath and you'll quickly see a number of horror stories.

      Citizens can go about their lives normally and all we ask in a self defense case is "did they THINK their life was in danger and did they THINK that the only way to avoid it was to use deadly force?". That doesn't cut it with cops, sorry. People can make mistakes, surgeons and lawyers and cops CAN'T.

      <IANL>
      The standard in Wisconsin for the use of deadly force is: Would a reasonable person believe that they (or someone they're defending) was in danger of death or grave bodily injury? The same standard also holds for police. 'Course, police poke into things that the rest of us would probably just walk away from...
      </IANL>

  338. Re: a possible solution to the problem by Hrvat · · Score: 1

    Crime prevention IS their job. By investigating a crime they will prevent the criminal from commiting that same crime again, either out of ignorance or because they got away with it. By following your argument we shouldn't have jails or police at all. Why have police if they only follow up? Why punish people at all if the crime cannot be prevented? The damage was already done, nothing we can do about it, we will just violate the criminals rights if we arrest him for the crime.

    Belligerant drunk yahoos more often than not cause damage to others or themselves before someone points the cops to them. I shouldn't need a baseball bat to defend myself, I expect not to be living in a lawless state. But to have laws, which we impose onto ourselves, we choose to accept a few willing people to enforce those laws. I like going into grocery stores without bulletproof glass. I like being able to walk outside.

    Police need more oversight, I agree. Police need more and better training, I agree. I am not saying the system is perfect, after all cops are just people. I am saying that the system is there for a much better reason than to violate our rights. Like it or not, people choose to have security. I believe that the person's right to life has priority over another person's right to be a beligerent yahoo with a bat (or a gun).

    --
    TANSTAAFL
  339. let me explain by The+Tyro · · Score: 1

    the dynamics of these situations.

    Action always beats reaction... Anyone trained in close quarters combat will tell you that. By the time you see someone pull out the object, realize it's a weapon, make the decision to fire, line up your sights and squeeze the trigger... you can already be dead.

    From the holster it takes an average of about two seconds+ to realize that someone is a threat, make the decision to fire, draw your gun and fire even one round. The officer is always reacting to somebody else, which always puts the officer at a disadvantage... that lag time has gotten officers killed.

    In this case, it's slightly different... the suspect was faced with four drawn guns. He should have kept his hands where everyone could see them... unfortunately, whether from a language barrier, fear, ignorance... whatever the reason, he made a move, and it cost him his life. It didn't help that one of the officers tripped while trying to retreat and fell down, leading the other officers to believe he'd been shot.

    If I tell a person at gunpoint not to move, and they go for their pocket, I'm going to shoot them. They might be pulling a wallet out of their back pocket... but then again, they might be pulling out one of these, these, one of these or even one of these. Understand now? You now know what cops know... and what cops are worried about.

    When faced with a drawn gun, think of it as a game of "simon says"... you do nothing until simon says. If an officer considers you enough of a threat that he's got his gun out, pay attention, because your life depends on your next move. Just FYI, in a lot of jurisdictions, anytime an officer draws his gun, he has to make a police report; If he's got a reason to have it out... for the love of God don't give him a reason to use it.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:let me explain by HedRat · · Score: 1

      The Tyro: I, for one, have enjoyed reading your concise, well thought out comments in this thread. Sometimes it seems like the simplest things elude some people and they often die as a result of it, while others that do know better just can't seem to get past their blatant defiance of authority figures.

  340. Re:What is there to hide? by ChaosDiscord · · Score: 1
    What everyone here seems to be missing is the fact that the officer was responding to a report...

    A report isn't very good cause, and for good reason. I'd rather not have police able to stop random people on random tips. It gives the small number of crooked police an easy excuse to stop people (Well, I got this tip), and provides an easy way to harass someone (call the police with reports from payphones).

    ...there had already been a physical exchange between the guy and his daughter.

    Nice phrasing of the facts. More specifically, his daughter hit him. There was no evidence at the time that he had assaulted his daughter and there is no evidence now. He was not reasonably suspected of a crime, there was no reason to demand his ID.

    Then, once additional officers arrive and the arrest is in progress the daugher tries to *phsyically force her way* past one of the cops.

    Boo, freaking, hoo. A 17 year old girl tried to push a police officer. Was it stupid? Yup. Did it represent any sort of real danger? Nope. Part of being a cop is dealing with stupid kids. More importantly, the actions of the daughter have nothing to do with the man's right to refuse to hand over ID.

  341. Re:What is there to hide? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    don't assume they are innocent just because they refuse to surrender their rights

  342. The older I get by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the more I hate cops. Isn't the opposite supposed to happen?

  343. Re:What is there to hide? by Alsee · · Score: 1

    So, as a cop who is conscious of these things, I think I would probably be just as commanding and aggressive as this cop was with somebody who is a possible domestic battery suspect.

    This is not about being commanding and agressive. This is about whether you can arrest someone simply because they refuse your request to show ID.

    The dumbass who just felt like arguing can take his hurt feelings and go to hell.

    Hurt feelings? If the Supreme Court rules in his favor then this is about a violation of his constitutional rights. And if they weren't inclinded to rule in that direction they probably wouldn't have taken the case in the first place. If they wanted to let the current ruling stand they could have simply declined to take the appeal.

    -

    --
    - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  344. Re:Your best bet is to get over it by hesiod · · Score: 1

    > Why do you think they backed down?

    Because they are pusses who won't stand up for themselves.

  345. Re: a possible solution to the problem by Queuetue · · Score: 1
    I believe that the person's right to life has priority over another person's right to be a beligerent yahoo with a bat (or a gun).
    And that's the problem here. You're living in a country that is designed - at it's very core - to support liberty and the persuit of happiness with just as much fervor as life. And I agree - what value does life have without the other two attributes? We support the beligerent yahoo, as long as he stays on his own lawn.

    Just curious: where are you from, originally?
  346. Re: a possible solution to the problem by Hrvat · · Score: 1

    Originally, I am from Croatia, while it was still part of Yugoslavia. Trust me, I know what beligerent police is. And for all the complaining, Americans have it good.

    Again, I am all for people's rights, as long as they don't infringe on someone elses. It is good that people can discuss the issues, especially in such a controversial case (good arguments exist on both sides of the case, otherwise it would not be all the way up at the Supreme Court level).

    --
    TANSTAAFL
  347. Re: a possible solution to the problem by Queuetue · · Score: 1
    It is good that people can discuss the issues, especially in such a controversial case
    And that's the concern - once the police are allowed to control you - not your actions, but you yourself - your thoughts, your privacy, your basic freedoms, you lose the ability to discuss and fight for them.

    That's the point, and why I'm willing to risk getting cracked on the skull - to give up a little temporary security in the name of freedom. Because once you give it away, little bit by little bit, you never get it back.
  348. Reading comprehension 101 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The grandparent makes two assertions:

    1. That a police officer's will to protect himself from some potential danger is subordinate to his duty to uphold the inalienable rights of citizens.

    2. That it is a requirement of a free society that citizens maintain a healthy distrust of police, and to that end, it is imperative that citizens regularly scrutinize the actions, behaviours and powers of police.

    In applying these assertions to the great-grandparent, the grandparent concludes that

    a) Requiring citizens produce ID to police out of concern for police safety is not substantive enough to warrant the infringement of a citizen's inalienable rights, and

    b) A citizen can not be expected to trust a police officer's intentions are honourable when asked for identification. Citizens must therefore be permitted to err on the side of caution (viz., through the exercise of rights).

    Of the grandparent's various assertions and conclusions, neither were founded on nor relied upon the idea that "cops are afraid" -- in fact, your statement to the contrary is a complete non sequitur.

  349. skinny dipping by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I guess that makes skinny dipping a little hard to do, what with the requirement to keep the ID on you.

  350. You are trivializing the Holocaust by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    By saying "commonly overlooked" you are suggesting that the profiling and murdering of the non-Jews who were also persecuted are equally worthy of not being overlooked, as if the common (and correct) conclusion that they in comparision should all but be overlooked is not correct.

    This is the kind of thinking that breeds anti-Semitism. People like you are for all practical purposes denying the Holocaust, and in private and with your friends you probably do.

    It's people like you and Mel Gibson who hate Jews and try to cover up their hatred, who are driving the resurgence of anti-Semitism across Europe and now to the states. And it isn't even a resurgence; anti-Semitism has never subsided; it is only that liars have talked about it couched in "humor" and "multi-culturalism".

    You would do Hitler proud.

  351. My e-mail 2 Sheriff Gene Hill of Humboldt Cnty, NV by psykocrime · · Score: 1

    Dear Humboldt County Sheriff's Department:

    I just became aware of the incident that occurred with Mr. Dudley
    Hiibel a few years ago, and which is going before the US Supreme
    Court soon. I just wanted to e-mail and let you know that I fully
    support Mr. Hiibel, and I hope most fervently that he wins his
    Supreme Court challenge, for the sake of all Americans.

    What happened that day was a travesty of justice. I cannot
    believe that in America in 2001, you police types believe
    you are allowed to behave in such a manner. This is America,
    not Nazi Germany, and you are a Sheriff's Department, not the
    Gestapo.

    Your entire Department, and the Nevada State Highway
    Patrol should be ashamed of what happened to Mr. Hiibel.
    If you had any integrity or belief in the principles this
    country was founded on, you all would immediately offer
    him and his daughter a public apology for this incident,
    and fire Deputy Dove.

    Your department has brought shame and disgrace to the state
    of Nevada, and made this law-abiding American citizen very
    happy to say that he lives in North Carolina and not Nevada.

    Thank you for your time,

    Phillip Rhodes

    --
    When the 1st Amendment no longer protects your voice.
    And when the 4th Amendment no longer protects your privacy or your stuff.
    Thank God we have the 2nd Amendment to tell our elected representatives that enough is enough.
    It's time to put "... from my cold, dead hands" back where it belongs.

    FREE AMERICA
    Vote Libertarian
    www.lp.org

    --
    // TODO: Insert Cool Sig
  352. The day I lost all respect for the police officers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    From those nights, I've lost most of my regard that I once had for police officers

    Me, it was my last year in high school, a few months before the end of year when everybody decides what he or she will do after high school.

    Some go into the construction business with dad, making roofs, setting electricity, plumbing or windows in buildings.

    Some go to college in science, theater, literature, and so on.

    Then there is this special breed of young mind that get into "fireman school", ready to risk their own life to help others and serve the public.

    Very similar (or so they claim) to that last group are the ones going to "cop college". In my 1200 students high school we had 6 of them. All ass holes; bullies with a problem with authority. Guys I would never trust, and one in particular not too bright!!! You could just see they wanted to be cops for the authority, so they can push people around and abuse them.

    I then realized that the "top students" where going to be doctors, layers and similarly high paying and socially respected jobs. Second were numerous science and art fields. The "I am going the be a cop" category was very low on the list, in fact it was near the bottom, and near bottom students where applying.

    I was assured later that "they probably did not make it out of cop college", but now almost 20 years later I believe the "good cops" becomes high officers, detectives, managers, while the ass holes stay dumb traffic cops walking the beat for 35 years!

    The respect for doctors I understand. But why not cops and teachers too? They are the laughingstock of large part of society, no "real good" teenager ever consider a career in these paths!

    Note: Yes, I know there is exception to everything, but I think these exceptions probably agree with me since they are living in it!

  353. Your name is not on the list? by SgtSnorkel · · Score: 1

    What he could have done is asked the guy what his name was, first

    Hmmm. . . I see your name is not on the list. That, in and of itself, is suspicious. I think we'd better put your name on the list!

  354. You are being discriminatory. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Basically you are saying since one doesn't have identification you have the right to arrest that person on the spot?!?!?

    You are discriminating on basis of the persons income level for not being able to afford the fees for the paperwork necessary for such a document.

    If you search such a person for such a document, such evidence is inaddmisable since one did not consent to such a search.

    Wow! They really teach one how to be jack booted thug in Police Academy. I have more increase dconfidence in the abilities of our "peace officers" now...

    "Those who work with honey, end up licking their fingers always..."

  355. are you from Clarksburg? by squarefish · · Score: 1

    directly from this weeks onion:

    Teen Responsible For All Six Items In Clarksburg Police Blotter
    CLARKSBURG, WV--According to sources at the Clarksburg Telegram, troubled youth Danny Nathum, 17, is responsible for all six items on Monday's police blotter. "We had two disorderly-conduct reports, three counts of vandalism, and one DUI arrest," Telegram assistant editor Jesse Sutton said. "Looks like Mr. Nathum had himself one heck of a busy weekend." Clarksburg, population 16,743, last experienced an all-Nathum crime spree in December, when the teen stole a bicycle, burned down a barn, and punched Old Man Herman.

    --
    Creationists are a lot like zombies. Slow, but powerful and numerous. And they all want to eat our brains.
  356. Re:How can they do that? (selective Editing) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    No one sees the COPS footage were the innocent person was abused

    I used to watch COPS and every episode people are routinely abused. I can't believe what they get away with. Many of these people aren't even charged.

  357. Apples and that other fruit by fm6 · · Score: 1

    Jeez, let's focus a little here. It's one thing for a cop to walk up to you and demand that you identify yourself, under a transparent pretext. It's quite another thing for a cop to respond to a person who initiated a confrontration and who is openly breaking the law. Yeah, "blocking traffic" isn't a major offense, but it's not one he could ignore either.