Posted on 02/24/2014 8:30:33 AM PST by highnoon
Both of the following events occurred in Williamson County Texas, in a small town with a Hippo Mascot.
The week of Christmas 2013 I was pulled over for ‘not displaying my blinker for more than 100 feet’. After the normal chit chat, the officer asked for consent to search my vehicle, to which I refused. I was told that K9 was in route and to wait outside the vehicle. K9 never arrived and after 15 minutes of waiting I was released.
Fast forward to Saturday evening 2/22/14. I pulled onto the roadway and was immediately followed by a member of the local police force, who after a few seconds turned his headlights off, then turned them back on. I stopped at an intersection with the officer behind me, proceeded forward when the light turned green and pulled into a Walgreens – the officer did not follow. I sat in the parking lot for 2 or 3 minutes then pulled out and went on my way. In less than a minute I was being pulled over.
Reason given was ‘non visible license plate’. He then asked why I had pulled into and out of the Walgreens. I responded that I was avoiding trouble based on the events that occurred the week of Christmas. He asked to search the vehicle to which I consented. I mentioned the presence of my prescription Adderall and after a VERY thorough search the officer completed his search. He emerged with my pill bottle and mentioned that the bottle was 2 years old, and that the contents (30 mg) did not match the label (20 mg). I was told that my pills were being confiscated and that I had a few days to speak with a detective, present a valid prescription for the pills or a warrant would be issued. I have the most recent Rx bottle – labeled for 30 mg and I’m preparing to visit with the detective when it occurred to me to ask some of you for advice.
I feel that I have a target painted on my vehicle due to the refusal to consent to the Christmas week search. I also feel that if the reason I was pulled over on Saturday was the LP light, the officer should have made the stop instead of playing cat & mouse with me. These are things I want to say out loud to them, but restraint of pen & tongue has me asking the members of FR first.
Any and all input is appreciated and valued. Thanks in advance.
HN
That is just an excuse.
I’ll bet if You check the lights they all are working fine.
In Texas there is a Turn Signal must be used Law but I don’t know the fine print on it.
I do know that if they REALLY wanted to enforce it they could start in Austin with the lefty idiot sticks and radiate outwards to the rest of the State.
Every ticket book in the State would get used up before they reached the Travis County Line.
Check the wording of the law.
I would bet it doesn’t require displaying a turn signal for over a hundred feet.
That is a typical reason to stop someone just because they want to.
You should have checked on that and filed a complaint.
Now you are a target because they can do what they want.
They don’t want to enforce the law. They want you to comply.
Correct
We’re agree on that point, but no one challenges law enforcement anymore.
[ Don’t even associate ME with du.
I know The Williamson County LEO all too well.
95% of ALL LEO are NO LONGER worth a pile of Dog Cr^p. ]
I was taking a pre-emptive swipe at all the “Bootlicking Freepers” who would try to buddy buddy with the cops and soon learn their own misguided adoration will get them nowhere when dealing with law enforcement thugs.
Dogs are smart and want to please their handlers.
If the handler is convinced you have contraband, the dog may pick up on his unconscious clues and "hit" on that. (google Clever Hans, the mathematical horse for further details)
Good boy! Here's your treat!
And you, Citizen, here's your handcuffs and permanent arrest record....
I know
Let them bring it on.
My statement won’t change.
They haven't been too mouthy lately. Maybe they're all off fondling their Nazi memorabelia.
Indeed
” And you, Citizen, here’s your handcuffs and permanent arrest record.... “
And where does the Citizen go to get their reputation back?
That was one of the first questions we asked after a neighbor with an ax to grind tried to frame us. We don't sleep much any more, and I'll be greatful to Yehovah Almighty if we can get out of Red Hampshire alive.
There's the problem.
The police ALWAYS leave off the important part of the Miranda Rights.
You have the right to remain silent when questioned.
Anything you say or do may be used against you in a court of law. (Modern readings have can and will in place of may)
You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future.
If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning, if you wish.
If you decide to answer any questions now, without an attorney present, you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney.
Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you, are you willing to answer my questions without an attorney present?
After the statement,”Anything you say or do may be used against you in a court of law.” they leave off the line from the Court Case that reads, “ and nothing you say may be used in you defense.”
This basically says to not say a word. Anything you say may be used against you, and nothing you say can be used in your defense.
1. Best idea— move to a bigger city. Time to go.
2. Sounds like they definitely have you in their sights for some reason. You can pursue an injunction for harassment but finding an attorney to take it against a legal system in a small town might be tough
3. Better stay purer than Caesar’s wife and make sure you don’t give any cause for arrest when stopped on a traffic stop.
‘non visible license plate’
***************
Explain what that is. Is is one where the light is out or some other meaning?
He said my plate was not visible (from 100 feet), so that’s why he pulled up behind me and turned his headlights off. At the stop, once outside of the vehicle, I noticed that one LP light was burned out, the other was pretty dirty.
FYI, years ago I got pulled over by DPS for same reason. Got out, wiped the grime off the light and viola, all lit up again. He let me go w/o any incident. BIG difference between DPS & the local gestapo squad.
Rule Two: Never talk to a cop or police detective. When unsure, see rule one.
Funniest thing I read was: The first line of the Miranda Warning is - "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." and at the end it says "Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you, are you willing to answer my questions without an attorney present?"
So right there I wouldn't say anything because the minute you open you mouth to agree they can write down anything you say. So I'd just look at them and say nothing. Not even agreeing because the minute you agree you've given up your right to remain silent. Would really upset them, wouldn't it?
They run for office as a democrat?
I live in Maine, too.
I don’t know of any local police departments that use them, but I know there is a law here in Maine that requires the police to delete the plate info within 30 days.
Whether the police obey that law, who knows.
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