Can a Washington Police arrest you, and be rude to you for expired tabs?

Question

I had expired tabs, but my family needed food and diapers. I had to go to the store. I took the family with me. I was pulled over. The officer was irrate that I had gone 2 months without renewing. I explained to him that I couldn't pass emmissions, and I didn't have enough money to repair. He said I was making excuses, that I was lying, and "whining like a baby." He told me to "be a man" and admit that I was trying to get away without paying for new tabs. I re-emphasized that I couldn't pay the repair fees, and in the middle of my explanation he told me to "shut up" and "get out of the car," right in front of my wife and children. He then said since I refuse to "be a man" and admit that I don't want to pay for tabs, driving with expired tabs is a "felony offense." He cuffed me and put me in his car. I tried to reason, he merely said "shut up."Under duress I finally said what he wanted me to. He wrote me up & let me go. I was humiliated. Is this legal, the way he treated me?

To "Combatacop" below: I'm not sure why instead of validating my experience, you rather suggest I am lying. I'm not even denying the charge.

Morally, it is wrong to treat someone the way I was treated, regardless of guilt on this TRAFFIC MISDEMEANOR. Pierce County, btw.

And yes it IS required to pass emissions in order to renew registration on most vehicles (except classic cars and cars older than 20 years). Had I passed, I would have renewed tabs right now, but the DMV would not issue my tabs when I went to buy them. By law I am required to repair or spend at least $150 towards emissions repair to get a waiver.

I'm already admitting fault to the violation, and am not contesting the citation (and not really the arrest either, as it is in your power to arrest for ANY infraction, appearently).

What I do object to is the WAY he behaved towards me.

Instead of attacking my integrity, why can't you agree, at least in principal, that such treatment is unacceptable.

To "VISIONQUEST" below: I'm not trying to prove it, for one, or even make a legal case of it. Were I to do anything productive from it, perhaps making officers aware of such situations will prevent future mistreatment eliminate the horrible light cast upon otherwise good-natured law enforcement who are being given a bad name by those few unprofessional ones like the one I encountered.

And, for the record, yes I CAN prove it. My wife and children were there as witnesses, and the officer himself, as he arrested me, told me I am being recorded. I'm sure his recording device also recorded HIM as well.

Honestly, though his demeanor was rude and morally reprehensive, I doubt it is against the law simply to be "rude" to somebody.

From the answers you all have given, I have learned that yes, expired tabs can result in arrest. Thanks for the education.

I'm just so suprised that me mentioning the rudeness seems to bother you way more than the experience bothered me (alot). Pax.

Answer 1

This is very illegal! He forced you to confess. I would file a complaint with the officer's precinct. While you may get fined for expired tags, the extra attitude on the part of the officer was uncalled for and I doubt that this is a felony offense. Officers like this are what give police a bad name.

Answer 2

No. But you can be arrested for resisting arrest and assault which is more than likely what will happen if you don't have a video tape of the arrest. And even then they don't always care. Be careful. Personally I refuse to talk to any cop regarding anything at all times. I would rather be mugged than arrested. I have been mugged twice and only lost $250. Getting arrested will cost untold amounts of fines, lawyer's fees, freedom and possibly dental and medical treatment. If they ask you something keep your mouth shut. If they arrest you get your lawyer and always keep you cell ready to video, the cops are the biggest thugs on the street these days.

Answer 3

He may have acted unprofessionally. And if thats what happened (sorry, but I sometimes get complaints like this across my desk and when I watch the tape, it happened totally different) and do have the basis for a complaint.

Anyways, in my state, any violation of the law is arrestable. Granted, I have never taken someone to jail or put cuffs on solely for expired license plates, I have the option

Answer 4

I really do not think you are telling the entire truth here.

First of all, there is no requirement for emissions prior to registering your vehicle in WA.

Second, why would he let you go on a "felony offense" and give you a ticket?

Third, any cop in WA worth his salt wouldn't do any of these things due to the fact he probably wants to keep his job.

If you read this, what city/county were you (allegedly) in?

Answer 5

There is no excuse for driving on expired tabs. Do you even have the mandatory liability insurance the State of Washington requires? Driving is a privilege NOT a right. If you can't afford to drive then you should not be allowed to.

Answer 6

I already know it's illegal to drive without current tabs. I'm not contesting the ticket, nor my fault in it.

I just don't understand why he thought it would be ok to yell at me, and tell me to "shut up," (also he said I "make him sick.") He said I was a poor example to my family, and that if he let me go he wouldn't be showing a good example to them either.

Arrest or not, even put me in jail, but don't I have the right to common decent treatment as a human being? Driving with expired tabs hardly makes me the scum of the earth deserving of being told to "shut up," and that I "make him sick," and to infer that I am not a man.

As law enforcement personnel I understand you come to his defense, but I am appalled that you don't even acknowledge how rude and inhumane his behaviour was. I gave no provocation, nor did I verbally retaliate, much less dare to stand up for my own integrity. I just had to take his verbal attack, and take his humiliation.

I feel horrible.

Answer 7

I think he did the right thing. Who do you think you are that you don't have to properly maintain and register your car while the rest of us do. Grow a pair, you should have taken a cab or a bus. (BTW what did you call him that he became rude, nothing in your description of what he said seems rude to me) What you did was illegal, you were trying to B.S. him and your "excuse" does not count for anything, you should have just accepted the punishment and not try to hide behind your family in order to use that illegal vehicle to run errands.

Answer 8

Sounds like your problem, not his. Driving is a priviledge and carries certain responsibilities. So is having a family.

Learn to handle the responsibilities of being a driver and a father and you won't have this problem.

Answer 9

It's your word against his and police do lie. You were driving illegally because your tabs were expired. That's the truth of the matter. He said, she said, makes no difference, you got caught. Sorry

Answer 10

yes under law that is considered assault to law enforcement you can be put in jail for up to 1 month, if you don't punch. Me as a officer is tense in that scary for use so we have to take every precaution. it is not a felony either, it is a state level, misdemeanor. you are lucky. if he asked your name you are now in the computer system so don;t get pulled over again for that or your in jail.

Ret. Lt. Finley James
Seattle Police Now SGT. Finley James Washington State Police