# Controversial encounters between law-enforcement and civilians - the omnibus thread #2 **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 23, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531 "2020-06-23T20:29:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 30
**Author:** ![LLCoolBJ16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47774/32.png) [@LLCoolBJ16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolBJ16)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/582 "2020-10-16T14:43:42Z")
I’ll share my own story, rather, a case I defended. All criminal charges dropped. Civil lawsuit to follow. > **[Invoking George Floyd, Va. prosecutor rebukes police over violent stop of...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/invoking-george-floyd-va-prosecutor-rebukes-police-over-violent-stop-of-black-driver/2020/10/09/02590572-0978-11eb-859b-f9c27abe638d_story.html)** > > Loudoun County prosecutor Buta Biberaj dropped a charge against the man, calling the case unwarranted. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/583 "2020-10-16T15:48:03Z")
This isn’t exactly an encounter but I’m relaying a conversation I was party to between an ADA and the public. The question of marijuana legalization came up and the ADA was totally against it. Why? Because it will keep illegal guns on the street. You see, it isn’t that MJ is bad, it’s that MJ gives cops an excuse to search people and cars. When they say “I smell weed” and search a car, the purpose is to find other illegal things in the car. It’s a door opener, the legal end around they need to search your stuff. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/584 "2020-10-16T15:51:34Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > You see, it isn’t that MJ is bad, it’s that MJ gives cops an excuse to search people and cars. When they say “I smell weed” and search a car, the purpose is to find other illegal things in the car. It’s a door opener, the legal end around they need to search your stuff. Thankfully that is no longer automatically the case in Pennsylvania. [Pa. judge rules police can’t search vehicle that smells of marijuana if driver has medical card](https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/12/Vehicle-search-prompted-by-marijuana-smell-ruled-illegal-pennsylvania/stories/201908120083) ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/585 "2020-10-16T15:56:36Z")
Little WTF from that story. > [@](#): > > “Our decision to dismiss the obstruction charge is not an endorsement or condonation of Mr. Wyche’s actions but an acknowledgment that his experience that night was of sufficient consequence that justice demands that we do no more as a system,” Biberaj wrote in an email. Okay, big WTF!!!? They clearly see that Wyche did not do any of the things that he was charged with. I don’t see anything that he did legally wrong in any way. But, being dragged from his car, beaten, degraded, and dragged off to jail and charged with bullshit was a “sufficient consequence”? Sufficient consequence for WHAT? For fucking knowing his rights and expecting an officer of the law to respect them? Law and order my ass. Anyone who sticks up for these cops is not for law and order, they are for tyranny and oppression. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/586 "2020-10-16T15:59:22Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > > > You see, it isn’t that MJ is bad, it’s that MJ gives cops an excuse to search people and cars. When they say “I smell weed” and search a car, the purpose is to find other illegal things in the car. It’s a door opener, the legal end around they need to search your stuff. > > Thankfully that is no longer automatically the case in Pennsylvania. [Pa. judge rules police can’t search vehicle that smells of marijuana if driver has medical card](https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/12/Vehicle-search-prompted-by-marijuana-smell-ruled-illegal-pennsylvania/stories/201908120083) I think that’s exactly the point. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/587 "2020-10-16T16:10:51Z")
But if you do not have a medical card? It is not only those who actually possess weed who are accused of smelling or seeing it in order to get a chance to search your car. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/588 "2020-10-16T16:20:27Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > But if you do not have a medical card? There are ongoing cases in Pennsylvania. I would point out that anybody in PA who wants a card can get one, now that anxiety is an accepted diagnosis. There are doctors that will interview prospective patients and pretty much automatically (for a fee) diagnose you with anxiety based solely on the fact that you want to use cannabis and have hoops to jump through to get a card. _Everybody_ has anxiety! ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/589 "2020-10-16T16:41:51Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > There are doctors that will interview prospective patients and pretty much automatically (for a fee) diagnose you with anxiety based solely on the fact that you want to use cannabis and have hoops to jump through to get a card. _Everybody_ has anxiety! Or anxiety that you may be pulled over and have marijuana suspicion as a pretext to violate your rights. ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolBJ16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47774/32.png) [@LLCoolBJ16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolBJ16)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/590 "2020-10-16T18:19:04Z")
Agreed 100%. They didn’t understand why my client wouldn’t just take a misdemeanor plea. A misdemeanor with a fine. Doesn’t he know he if facing a felony conviction with mandatory minimum time? Thankfully my client was brave enough to tell them to fuck themselves. And I was able to rally some political and media folks on my side, sufficient enough to make the prosecutor realize this would be a huge problem for her reelection campaign. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/591 "2020-10-16T18:24:57Z")
I appreciate your service, and I am thankful that your client was able to resist the temptation of taking the offer and risking greater legal consequences to do what was right. I personally fail to see how plea bargains are any more than extortion from the state. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/592 "2020-10-16T22:29:30Z")
Cop sexually assaults child at traffic stop, _eventually_ has to pay for it…gets 14 days in jail and doesn’t have to register as a sex offender. [https://thefreethoughtproject.com/cop-sexually-assault-girl-traffic-stop/?fbclid=IwAR1B1cxv7DFNCkW880gPARX\_c5xv\_4vvEOaoTG9yMbMiQnYNiOO367dtEs0](https://thefreethoughtproject.com/cop-sexually-assault-girl-traffic-stop/?fbclid=IwAR1B1cxv7DFNCkW880gPARX_c5xv_4vvEOaoTG9yMbMiQnYNiOO367dtEs0) ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/593 "2020-10-17T05:42:11Z")
Nice to know touching itties is $230 and 2 weeks in jail in Honolulu 🤬 > **[Former HPD officer sentenced for sex assault](https://www.khon2.com/local-news/former-hpd-officer-sentenced-for-sex-assault/)** > > A former Honolulu police officer found guilty of fourth degree sex assault will spend 14 days in jail. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/594 "2020-10-17T23:06:00Z")
Newport News police gave Boogaloo protesters a PA system and chocolate milk. > **[Boogaloo Protesters Get PA System and Milk From Cops](https://www.thedailybeast.com/anti-ice-protesters-got-charged-boogaloos-got-milk-and-pa-system-from-virginia-cops)** > > Meanwhile, anti-ICE demonstrators got arrest papers. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/595 "2020-10-20T20:38:31Z")
Miami cop at polling place in uniform wearing a Trump 2020 mask will be disciplined. > **[Uniformed Miami cop spotted wearing pro-Trump mask near voting site will be...](https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article246576948.html)** > > A uniformed Miami police officer was photographed sporting a protective mask with a pro-Trump slogan at a voting site in Government Center Tuesday morning. Oh, and who caught him? The chairman of the Miami Dade Democratic Party. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2020, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/596 "2020-10-21T00:34:10Z")
Iowa cop shown on video waving a black man to cross the street, then stops him and arrests him for jaywalking. In the process, various other cops show up, throw him to the ground, and tase him. A judge threw the case out. But the cop has been named the city’s community outreach officer. > **[Iowa Judge Drops Charges Against Black Man Stopped for Jaywalking by Cop Who...](https://www.theroot.com/iowa-judge-drops-charges-against-black-man-stopped-for-1845429252)** > > Charges have been dropped against a Black man who was arrested in Iowa City, Iowa, last year after he was stopped by a police officer for jaywalking. Based on police body camera footage, a federal judge decided that what the arresting officer... ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/597 "2020-10-22T14:54:06Z")
This happened this week where I live: > **[Waukegan police say shooting that killed Black teen was in self-defense;...](https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20201021/waukegan-police-say-shooting-that-killed-black-teen-was-in-self-defense-protesters-question-it/)** > > Preliminary results from an autopsy confirm Marcellis Stinnette, 19, "died from injuries due to a gunshot" fired by a Waukegan police officer while he was a passenger in a vehicle, Lake County Corone... > The shooting occurred after a Waukegan police officer was investigating a suspicious vehicle that had stopped near Liberty and Oak streets, Navarro said. > > The driver sped away, but the vehicle was spotted minutes later near Martin Luther King Jr. and South avenues by the second officer. > > When the vehicle began backing up, the officer fired his semi-automatic pistol, striking the driver and passenger, police said. Stinnette was taken to a hospital, where he died. > > No firearms were found in the vehicle. No video available yet, and lots of unanswered questions. I’ll update as more comes out. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2020, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/598 "2020-10-23T13:16:36Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > This happened this week where I live: > > [Waukegan police say shooting that killed Black teen was in self-defense; protesters question it](https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20201021/waukegan-police-say-shooting-that-killed-black-teen-was-in-self-defense-protesters-question-it) Peaceful protest yesterday. My question (in all earnestness) to any LEOs on this thread: It’s dark. A car you’ve been notified is “suspicious” starts to back toward you. Is it proper procedure to open fire? Or maybe just jump out of the way? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2020, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/599 "2020-10-23T13:44:31Z")
It’s not necessarily a matter of what they _have_ to do, but what they can get away with doing. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2020, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/600 "2020-10-23T14:00:48Z")
Well sure, but I’m trying to look at this fairly. I’d like to believe the cop didn’t think, “Aha, here’s my chance to shoot up some [black people] and get away with it!” I _suspect_ he panicked and improperly over-reacted, but with no public video there’s no way for me to have any more certainty. FWIW the county prosecutor is a Republican but has a good track record that includes exonerating people of color improperly convicted by previous administrations. We’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/601 "2020-10-26T13:49:13Z")
Update: The cop has been fired: > **[Waukegan police fatal shooting of Black 19-year-old leads to firing of officer](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/waukegan-police-shooting-killed-black-19-year-old-leads-firing-n1244637)** > > Marcellis Stinnette, 19, was killed, and a Black woman, Tafara Williams, 20, was injured when the officer shot at the vehicle in Waukegan on Tuesday night. > The officer who shot at the vehicle … committed “multiple policy and procedure violations” in the incident and has been terminated from the force, said police Chief Wayne Walles in Waukegan, 42 miles north of Chicago. Which confirms my suspicion that he just flat panicked. Thankfully, the city seems to be doing the right things and so far all the protests have stayed peaceful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531.md?page=31)