Great Moments in the Freedom of Movement

If you get caught drunk driving in Waverly, Ohio, a $1,000 donation to the local police department will get you off the hook.

Meanwhile, you might want to just avoid St. George, Missouri altogether.

Comments

[Pi Guy]

Sounds as though someone's a bit enamored with his power in St. George. Additionally, it would appear that the Sgt. isn't familiar with the Constitution. You'd think that they'd talk about that sort of stuff in Police School, wouldn't you?

[mantooth]

That shit is terrifying.

[crimethink]

Re: St George, I'm surprised the guy's not getting the book thrown at him for filming a cop in the course of his official duties.

[Bronwyn]

In listening to that video, I found the officer's shrieking more frightening than anything else. Although I'm sure his stance and the gun at his hip would have stopped the giggles, it was difficult to listen to him without cracking up.

Only my infant son is capable of uttering cries more shrill.

2% of me laughing, 98% of me crying

[crimethink]

"It's accurate that if the city doesn't get the money, the case doesn't get reduced -- just like any other plea bargain," said Anthony Moraleja, a former Mayor's Court magistrate.

That's not a plea bargain, that's extortion.

[Warren]

Sergeant Kuehnlein was placed on unpaid leave Monday pending an investigation.

Sergeant Kuehnlein needs to be charged with a felony. As always, thanks to Radley for spreading the word. This story makes me angry, but it also gives me hope. This isn't the first time a cop abusing his authority has been caught on video. Hopefully, more cameras will result in less criminals with badges. I might get one for my car.

[Dan T.]

The odd thing is that if in any other city you offered a cop $1000 to make the charge go away you'd be guilty of bribery as well.

[Bagger]

Dan, if you don't like the court system of a particular community, you can always move somewhere where the system is more to your liking.

[Russ 2000]

The $1,000 thing is more a case of the police having their money on the spot and therefore are done. In typical DUI arrests the fine is $1,000 anyway but the police basically have to go to court to get it. Doing it this way cuts out 2 middleman - the criminal court system (including the lawyers) and the counseling industry. If we're going to allow the police to ewxtort money anyway, this seems like a much better method.

[J sub D]

Damn, Randy Ludlow sure doesn't believe in lengthy paragraphs, does he?

[Rimfax]

So, how long until the kid is facing federal wiretapping charges and Sergeant Napoleon has his nightstick back?

[Rex Rhino]

The odd thing is that if in any other city you offered a cop $1000 to make the charge go away you'd be guilty of bribery as well.

Well, unless they made the charges go away.

[K.]

The market at work?

[Michael Pack]

I've seen people on COPS stopped for loitering or driving in a known drug area.Otherwise known as a public street or side walk.This is preventive policing.If your in certain areas you must be guilty of something.What gets me is these guys are proud their hassling people with no evidence.

[TrickyVic]

"""You don't never take it out on a cop cause we will ruin your career and life and everything else you have coming before you. Okay?"""

Or maybe it will be the other way around.

If the news agencies has any real balls, they would set cops up in sting operations to catch this kind of bullshit.

[TrickyVic]

"""Sounds as though someone's a bit enamored with his power in St. George. Additionally, it would appear that the Sgt. isn't familiar with the Constitution. You'd think that they'd talk about that sort of stuff in Police School, wouldn't you?"""

Not at all. The Constitution get in the way of their job. That's pretty much how they see it. The Constituion is lawyer talk and they hate lawyers.

I have a friend that was on the police force for a while. He was real savoy about the Constitution and stayed up to date on Supreme Court rulings. He was hated amongst his peers.

[TrickyVic]

"""So, how long until the kid is facing federal wiretapping charges and Sergeant Napoleon has his nightstick back?"""

The cop said he was wired too, Therefore both sides were aware, or had an expectation that the conversation was recorded.

I found it interesting that the cop could use other peoples actions as probably cause on you.

Many assholes wear the uniform, therefore wearing the uniform is probable cause for me to assume you're an asshole.

For some reason Zappa comes to mind, Yeah, you what you are, your an assssshoooole, asshole. Hey some of you might not agree....

[Reinmoose]

If the news agencies has any real balls, they would set cops up in sting operations to catch this kind of bullshit.

To catch a primate?

[Mad Scientist]

I haven't lived in Ohio for many years now, but back in the day it was said by the people who say such things that the extra money you pay for a personalized license plate went straight into the state patrol's retirement fund. Legend had it that mere possession of a personalized plate gave one carte blanche to speed on Ohio's highways. Never tried it myself.

[abu hamza]

wow that kid in Missouri has got some stones! good for him. he's not going to completely stop local, state & federal law enforcement's widespread circle jerk on our constitution, but maybe he's going to throw a coupla grains of sand in the vaseline at least.