I'm not as concerned over a cop knocking out a belligerent drunk

[vta]

As I am about this:

Florence says he pleaded with jail authorities to check with Essex County where the warrant originated and he kept waiting for his hearing. But it didn't happen. Meanwhile his anxiety was growing. By the fourth day, he says he was "pretty messed up" and scared that he was not there for his wife, who was seven months pregnant with a condition that put her at risk of a premature birth.

After five days, he was transferred to Essex County, where he expected everything would be straightened out. Instead, Florence found "the same hell all over again."

He was not only strip searched, but unlike in Burlington Country where he was by himself, Florence was now mixed in with other criminals.

Over a traffic violation.


Should Minor Offenders Be Subject To Strip Searches?

 

[YosemiteSam]

You don't get arrested over minor traffic violations. The guy didn't pay his fine. If you don't pay a fine they issue a warrant. He was arrested because of a warrant, not a minor traffic violation. If you go to jail for whatever reason, you are to be strip searched before being put in a cell. That is just a fact of life.

Now, I don't get why they held him for a week before arraigning him. Actually, I think that is illegal. I believe that has to happen within 72 hours or they must release you.

btw, he owns a BMW and was out shopping. He had no business falling behind paying his $1,500 fine. If he doesn't want to pay the fine, don't break the law.h

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Too many variables on this one to say a complete yes or no to the question IMO.

Is he going into a jail that is basically a general population setting (not sure if correct term but what I mean is he will be in a larger cell with multiple people)...then I imagine searching would be the way to go.

If he is going into a single cell, then I don't see the need for it.

The question should be...why is a traffic violation guy going to a place where they would have a general population type deal unless he has had many prior traffic violations and has not appeared in court over them or has not paid due fines for them. I just don't think most people go to jail for a single traffic violation alone.

So it is a situation where I just can not find myself saying YES or NO in a blanket statement for all cases...but those that know me know I am not normally a guy who just sees things in black and white...and others will just say I am a fence sitter.

 

[basstapp]

I could of misunderstood the article, but it says that he did pay the fine in full and had the letter to prove it, but was still taken to jail. That is complete insanity and since when do the passengers of a vehicle have to submit ID when someone is pulled over?

 

[joseephuss]

I think the only thing here is that he should never have been arrested. He paid his fine and the warrant should have gone away. A stupid clerical error caused this. I don't know how it turned into a case of whether someone in jail should be stripped search or not depending on their offense. The facts are he should not have been in jail and then once in jail his case should have been processed in a more timely manner.

 

[Khartun]

I read an article the other day that was about Washington DC arresting people for expired tags. That is completely ludicrous.

 

[vta]

You don't get arrested over minor traffic violations. The guy didn't pay his fine. If you don't pay a fine they issue a warrant. He was arrested because of a warrant, not a minor traffic violation. If you go to jail for whatever reason, you are to be strip searched before being put in a cell. That is just a fact of life.

Now, I don't get why they held him for a week before arraigning him. Actually, I think that is illegal. I believe that has to happen within 72 hours or they must release you.

btw, he owns a BMW and was out shopping. He had no business falling behind paying his $1,500 fine. If he doesn't want to pay the fine, don't break the law.h

I'm not sure you're right. Whether or not it's considered a 'minor traffic violation' I'm not sure, but I've been handcuffed and brought to a cell because my license was expired. Not revoked or suspended, the card itself expired.

I was not strip searched either. It's unnecessary. It never happened in the past and shouldn't under any circumstances beyond incarcerating a true criminal. Law abiding citizens making a mistake don't need to be subjected to the same treatment as hardened criminals.

There are no variables beyond an unclear vision of right and wrong.

And he did pay the fine and had proof on his person which seemed to net him no profit.

 

[vta]

I think the only thing here is that he should never have been arrested. He paid his fine and the warrant should have gone away. A stupid clerical error caused this. I don't know how it turned into a case of whether someone in jail should be stripped search or not depending on their offense. The facts are he should not have been in jail and then once in jail his case should have been processed in a more timely manner.

The article is primarily about that, because it obviously has never been, nor should it be a standard practice. Strip searches are to prevent people from sneaking things into prison. What law abiding citizen is prepared to do such a thing in case he blows a light or misses a fine?

 

[YosemiteSam]

I'm not sure you're right. Whether or not it's considered a 'minor traffic violation' I'm not sure, but I've been handcuffed and brought to a cell because my license was expired. Not revoked or suspended, the card itself expired.

I was not strip searched either. It's unnecessary. It never happened in the past and shouldn't under any circumstances beyond incarcerating a true criminal. Law abiding citizens making a mistake don't need to be subjected to the same treatment as hardened criminals.

There are no variables beyond an unclear vision of right and wrong. You don't need to

And he did pay the fine and had proof on his person which seemed to net him no profit.

Well, that is stupid. Not sure why they would arrest you for an expired license. If anything, you should have been ticketed for driving with an expired license and had made to wait until someone with a valid license arrived or had the car towed.