Posted on 05/28/2012 7:37:46 PM PDT by dontreadthis
MONTEREY, Tenn. -- "If somebody told me this happened to them, I absolutely would not believe this could happen in America." "You live in the United States, you think you have rights -- and apparently you don't," said George Reby.
Actually, the former (got indicted)DA in my County had his own police, aka, task force for asset seizures. He, and the District Judge (also indicted)used the funds for vacations to Hawaii.
Don’t ask me how they know, but if you are traveling on I-10 through Kerr County, TX and have a large sum of cash, these guys have a habit of taking it, labeling it drug money, money laundering, or whatever, and you can kiss it goodbye.
The officer clearly cites the war on drugs as his excuse for the seizure. It needs to end now.
Way too many cops are on power trips. And most of them couldn’t do any kind of work that requires the use of their brains. And for some reason they love to hang out at pawn shops.
>>First mistake was when the officer asked if he was carrying a large amount of cash. The answer should have been “no”.
>
>Strongly disagree. They could nail him for ‘obstructing justice’(or somesuch), which would give them a bargaining chip - ‘You just forget about the money, and we’ll forget that you lied to a police officer.’
I disagree; that’s something a defense attorney could really have some fun with. “How can it be considered lying when you asked my client an entirely subjective question? What *IS* a large amount of money? The federal deficit is three trillion dollars, compared to that the money my client had was spittle!”
Former Freeper TheMagicalMischiefTour consistently posted on police corruption in Tennessee, alerting Freepers that there was a cop problem there.
He got banned or apparently got tired of getting suspended for trying to get the truth out and just gave up on FR. I would like to know the truth behind that before I give the benefit of the doubt to FR. He posted articles exactly like this and was consistently given hell by Freepers and admin especially. It was extremely disappointing to see the admin behavior.
TENNESSEE CONSTITUTION - ARTICLE I. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
§ 2. Doctrine of non-resistance
That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.
§ 7. Searches and seizures; warrants
That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions, from unreasonable searches and seizures; and that general warrants, whereby an officer may be commanded to search suspected places, without evidence of the fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, whose offences are not particularly described and supported by evidence, are dangerous to liberty and ought not to be granted.
§ 8. Deprivation of life, liberty or property under law; due process
That no man shall be taken or imprisoned, or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed or deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land.
§ 9. Rights of accused
That in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath the right to be heard by himself and his counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, and to have a copy thereof, to meet the witnesses face to face, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and in prosecutions by indictment or presentment, a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury of the County in which the crime shall have been committed, and shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself. § 17. Remedies in courts, suits against state
That all courts shall be open; and every man, for an injury done him in his lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and right and justice administered without sale, denial, or delay. Suits may be brought against the State in such manner and in such courts as the Legislature may by law direct.
§ 21. Taking of property; eminent domain
That no man's particular services shall be demanded, or property taken, or applied to public use, without the consent of his representatives, or without just compensation being made therefor.
§ 33. Slavery
That slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, are forever prohibited in this State.
As you can see, there's a lot of violations of the State's own Constitution; some blatant, some arguable, but more than enough to justify getting fighting-mad.
‘Honestly, who carries 22 thousand bucks in cash with them?’
I carried amounts like that periodically between my business and my bank. No way around it. I was always leery of cops stopping me in Las Vegas. You want me to leave it piled up in a safe in a store (think employees)? Or should I not accept cash (think, no business)?
According to one Freeper—
In Mexico a policeman is only given bullets and gasoline and told to go out and make a living
They did not shoot any dogs so this stuff isn’t too bad
I thought someone might have that response and you are probably correct. I supposed it would be parsing words to say that $22,000 is not a lot of money, that if pressed on the issue to say you consider $100,000 a lot of money but not $22,000.
What is the limit though? Is $5,000 a lot of cash? In some work situations having that much on hand is necessary and even as much as the guy in this article had on him. There are situations when buying that they don't take credit cards and a check would be no good because the person could not cash it (no bank account).
I'm still not sure I would answer that I do have a lot of cash but you have me thinking if that is the right approach. Thanks for the input.
What a sad time we live in when our freedoms have eroded to this point where law abiding citizens are viewed as criminals or involved in criminal action because they are purchasing anything expensive in cash.
Two weeks ago I visited a Porsche dealer for the fun of it. In talking, one of the sales people said that one client recently came in and wrote a check for $135,000 to buy a Porsche. If the individual had chosen instead to cash his own check and walk into the dealer with $135,000 in cash, I guess you would automatically assume that he was involved in criminal activity.
While I do not carry 22k in cash around, or even have that kind of money, I am sure there are loads of law abiding Americans who do and that is not a crime.
One more thing; today $22k for a car is nothing.
Not true. They are given a badge and uniform too.
don't you mean "a pimple on an elephant's butt"?
I don’t really give a ratsass what you think is fishy.
I understand the sentiment, but it's best to avoid getting into a situation where you need a defense attorney. Authorities can make your life hell, even if you're eventually cleared.
I might say something along the lines of, "Officer, I've never been asked such a question. Am I suspected of a crime?"
My real estate agent told the story of the rich Chinese woman that bought numerous homes in Seattle for herself and extended family (via Canada).
She arrived at the real estate office to go to the closing on two of the homes. The agent asked what was in the large briefcase. It was the TOTAL amount for both homes - over a million dollars - cash.
The real estate agent went with her directly to the bank to trade if for a cashiers check.
The remaining 3 or 4 homes of similar prices were paid by cashiers check on the first go-around once the Chinese lady knew how it worked.
Although I imagine the large amounts of cash coming into America from China via Canada probably did violate someone’s laws? (Probably China’s!?)
>>compared to that the money my client had was spittle!”
>
>don’t you mean “a pimple on an elephant’s butt”?
I don’t know... that could be entirely dependent on the defendant’s registered political party. ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMRF7k7rJsM&feature=related
A bit long, but an interview with a lawyer, former FBI, former cop on “how to arrest proof yourself”.
That is a very clever response. Do me a favor and play out the rest of that conversation.
Couldn’t you just say that it is none of your business how much money I have? And then refuse the search?
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