After parking in a business parking lot, police put search lights on my son after he exited the car and told him he was being stopped because of no seatbelt use (which was a lie). They automatically go around you when motor starts. To make a long story short, they kept him over night in jail and released him. They also drove my car off the lot to the police station after refusing to let his licensed girlfriend take the car home. Under what circumstances can cops do this as opposed to having car towed by towing company after refusing to let her drive it back home?
2007-02-21 04:09:56 · 8 answers · asked by jigsaw1953 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
After having worked narcotic investigations for over 20 years....I'd say this sounds SIMILAR to the actions I've taken when conducting this type case.
In drug cases the state of which I'm employed allows for the seizure of property if that property is used illegally in drug offenses.
It makes NO sense to have an officer drive the car off a lot to the police station unless the vehicle was being "seized."
My suggestion is you contact the law enforcement agency and demand to know the charges against your son. This information may help you understand the actions taken.
If your son told you it was for a seatbelt violation, yet he's hiding the truth...the police will let you know.
Police do NOT arrest someone then take them to jail for a seatbelt violation. There is obviously more to this story than meets the eye!
As for allowing another party other than the owner to drive the vehicle....that's not allowed by MOST departments due to liability issues. Law enforcement will normally have a car towed unless they are in the process of seizing it!
In response to "Ydoncha's" comments...his information is inaccurate as the police CAN drive the vehicle. As far as "planting false evidence"...well...I just consider the source of information. People watch too much television and think that fiction is actually truth just because they hear someone talk about "a friend who had a friend." Additionally, television exists to make money from "sensationalized" entertainment. Who likes to watch things blowing up over old re-runs of Mister Rogers Neighborhood!
It's easy to point fingers in todays society...yet...as an officer it is my sworn duty to provide the best public service with the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
There are always good and bad apples in every walk of life...police included. The only difference is...the professional officers will "target" a bad officer who "tarnishes" the profession faster than any other civilian suspect!
Best wishes!
2007-02-21 04:18:12 · answer #1 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they can. Cars parked in a public environment are subject to a "plain view" search. If the cops see anything illegal, they can act on it and seize anything that is against the law. The people who got arrested for marijuana or whatever should have been smarter and not leave anything incriminating out in plain view. The bar owner, if he or she so chose, could prohibit police from coming on the property without cause, but that isn't likely to happen. EDIT (stephenf): Yes, a bar owner can prohibit the police from entering, just as I can prohibit cops from coming into my house without a warrant. The police are not a protected group and therefore can be discriminated against. I know this to be absolutely true because I have seen it happen and be effective at my friend's bar. Private property rules are at the discretion of the owner.
2016-05-24 02:37:44 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Tell your son to stop lying to you.
2. If your son was arrested (which it sounds like he was) the vehicle can be impounded. If it was going to be searched, the police can move it to an area for doing so without using a tow truck.
3. Before you get all up in arms over your poor little baby's harassment by the police, get a copy of the police report and read for yourself why things happened like they did.
4. See #1
2007-02-21 05:53:49 · answer #3 · answered by Combatcop 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Uh, under no circumstances can they DRIVE your car off a lot to the police station. They must tow it. Driving your car puts them at risk of crashing it and owing you replacement. Ive never heard of an officer acting in this fashion. They typically always release the vehicle to the other person, as long as they have a license and arent intoxicated, etc. The problems arising out of them driving it include the possiblity of planting evidence inside the vehicle - so, if it is being claimed that your son had drugs in teh car, a good attorney would raise the possiblity of the drugs being planted in the vehicle while the police drove it, rather than towing the vehicle to an evidence/impound lot...
As for the auto seatbelts, you must remember that the lap portion of the belt must also be fastened - if it isnt, then they can still ticket you for not wearing a proper seatbelt. However, it is nearly impossible to tell if youre not wearing your lap portion unless they walk up to the car and see this...
If you want my opinion, it sounds as if your son was being racially profiled. You didnt mention WHY they kept him overnight... but it sounds fishy to me.
Of Course, there is always three sides to every story - your side, the police's side, and the truth.
2007-02-21 04:23:06 · answer #4 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
No one and I mean ON ONE is placed in jail for not wearing a seatbelt. I think Junior is trying to pull a fast one on you. I would contact the police department involved to discover the real story.
2007-02-21 04:35:16 · answer #5 · answered by tallerfella 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like somebody needs the truth not the tale his/her son decided to tell.
2007-02-21 04:21:18 · answer #6 · answered by baalberith11704 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Why did they take your son to jail?
2007-02-21 04:15:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can smell violation of civil rights and harrasment...file complaint to internal affairs or talk to a lawyer....lol
2007-02-21 04:17:14 · answer #8 · answered by DON 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋