I was outside smoking a ciggarette at 4 in the morning thinking what I was going to write for the conclusion of a research paper I was working on. I live inside the dorms of a university and there were students out there who weren't being loud, but there was around 10 of them talking. An officer came up to them, called me over there as well and told us all to go inside or he would arrest us. He didn't say under what charge (probably because he knew there was nothing he could charge anyone on), but I am very upset about this because I don't think he had the authority to threaten me that way and I think he was abusing his power. I think it's sad that you aren't even allowed to do the right thing in America without a police officer harassing you just because he's a jerk.
2007-02-25 11:20:04 · 3 answers · asked by Wilson Casilian 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Basically, no, but this is an odd situation. You can be charged with "refusal to obey" an officer, but he'd have to prove the underlying charges---which you say do not exist---were valid. I'm a lawyer who represents a lot of cops. What he did was wrong, but you will learn there are times when it's better to accept reality than fight authority just for the sake of being right. I'll tell you you're right, but I'll also tell you in all of life---pick your battles. Some aren't worth it. Fight for the big stuff.
2007-02-25 11:28:37 · answer #1 · answered by David M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
contact your local police dept and lodge a complaint and tell them everything that happened and also write an editorial to the local newspaper .
2007-02-25 11:24:00 · answer #2 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably loitering.
2007-02-25 11:23:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋