Since we were wrongfully arrested, why weren't we allowed to leave without a parent?

Question

Well I'm in 8th grade at my Catholic School. One day last week, we only had to go for like an hour. It's an 8th grade tradition at our school. You come to school for a special 8th grade prayer service the rest of the school works on, and you get the rest of the day off. So we we're done with school at like 9. Lots of us just hung out at the school's playground. At about 10:00, we realized the mall was opening, so we went over there. We walked around for a little bit and saw a cop heading to Dunkin' Donuts. But he saw us and told us to come here. He asked why we were not at school, he was not informed of the schools being out. We told him about the prayer service. He didn't buy it. So he handcuffed both of us behind out backs and took us to the school. We stayed in the car while he talked to our principal. He came back and said, we were telling the truth. I assumed he was taking us back to the mall, but we arrived at the police station. He led us to a holding cell (just big enough

For a bunk bed and a small bench, and took off our handcuffs. He said that he could not release a minor, only a parent or legal guardian could pick us up. We gave him our parent’s cell numbers (our moms work at the same business). We waited there and finally about three hours later, our parents came. They said there was terrible traffic and the boss gave them a hard time about leaving work. After that, they went home and me and my friend decided to hang out at the park. I guess like all the 8th graders met there after lunch. So, were we wrongfully imprisoned and arrested? Why couldn’t we leave if we were innocent?

Answer 1

Once a police officer takes custody of a minor you become our responsibility. If the officer was to take you back to the mall and something was to happen to you, the officer would be at fault. So it is policy to release a juvenile to a parent or guardian.

To avoid that type of situation however, I would have called the school and given them your name to check on if you were suppose to be in school or not. If not then I would have never taken you into custody and therefore would not have had to release you to a parent.

Answer 2

First and foremost...the comment about Dunkin Donuts in the mall....a bit too much embellishment I'd suggest!

Because your specific school has a unique tradition does not mean ALL schools share the same tradition. The officer obviously felt he had a group of minors (juveniles) truant from classes. It would have been negligent on his part had he taken you into a temporary custody and then released you without parental or legal guardian permission. Had he released you...he would have opened himself and department for a lawsuit!

Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear that, but let this be a good life lesson to you. Cops have nothing to do but mess with innocent people who have money. Most...but not all cops are corrupt and when they want to ticket you or put you in jail they will (even if they have to make something up) Another thing...they think their better than you and know everything. Take KCV for instance..he doesn't know you, but you were called a liar. As for them releasing you to a guardian, it is true but don't be fooled. It sure wasn't to protect you, but more to protect himself. Don't be fooled into thinking that the cop cared about you, because that is the furthest from the truth. I know that this may be a little harsh now, but when you get older you will understand.

Just to let you know, I have no record what so ever and just received my first moving violation at 30 years old. This information comes from knowing cops personally (I tell them all this same info to their faces) and the things I've witnessed.

Answer 4

Since he LEGALLY detained you, they must release you to a parent. I thought our story was possibly true until the donuts comment.

Answer 5

just like they said. you must be released to a parent, its police policy.