Texsox Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 How could an innocent question like "Do you know me?" end up like this? > > > > Why Lawyers should never ask a witness a question if they aren't > > prepared for the answer: > > > > > > In a trial, a Southern small town prosecuting attorney called his first > > witness to the stand; a grandmotherly, elderly woman. He approached her > > and asked, "Mrs.. Jones, do you know me?" > > > > She responded, "Why, yes I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you > > since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big > > disappointment to me. > > > > You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk > > about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you > > haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more > > than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you." > > > > The Lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across > > the room and asked "Mrs. Jones do you know the defense attorney?" > > > > She again replied, "Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a > > > > youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He > > can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is > > one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his > > wife with three different women, one of them was your wife. Yes, I know > > him." > > > > The defense attorney almost died. > > > > The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench, and in a very > > quiet voice, said; "If either of you bastards asks her if she knows me, > > I'll throw your sorry asses in jail for contempt." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 > > The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench, and in a very quiet voice, said; "If either of you bastards asks her if she knows me, I'll throw your sorry asses in jail for contempt." LMAO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hawaiisoxfn Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 http://www.sanjoseca.gov/ipa/Related%20Links.html You could check out a police review committee especially if this guy had no reason to search your vehicle (I'm assuming here that there was nothing in plain view for him to suspect you did) If you consented to the search then there's not much you can do because that is considered a waiver of your 4th amendment rights. Can always try getting the guy's badge number and filing a complaint against him though. Wait, could I have actually told the cop to shove it? I mean, I was stunned and very pissed, but I didnt know that I could refuse to allow the search. I let him go right about his business, and didnt say anything to him. I guess I blew that one. He didnt find anything at all, so it doesnt matter, but having a cop search your car for drugs while on your way to church is still embarassing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hawaiisoxfn Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 There is damn good reason American democracy is stable and has worked for 200+ years. Because people have been been willing to fight and die for the nation, it's constitution and the freedoms and the rights that it insures. And those people that did go and fight .... from the original colonial revolutionaries to those guys over Iraq right now and all in between .... are/were willing to put their life on the line because they want to preserve these freedom and rights for their kids and grandchildren and those that come after. You get so upset that a cop hassles you a little bit, yet you say you don't appreciate your rights? Something there does not compute. One of these days, when you are sitting on one of those beautiful Hawaiian beaches looking a gorgeous sunset ... you better rethink your view of your rights and what they mean to you in your daily life. I was pissed because when that cop searched my car I got to thinking that maybe rights are just meaningless. Yeah, theres a right that says no unreasonable searches or seizures, but since I didnt know I could deny the search, he did it and I figured that he was going to do whatever he pleased, regardless of rights. And so I became rather cynical about how effective they were. Apu, if I deny a cops request to search my car or person, are you sure he cant arrest me or anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I was pissed because when that cop searched my car I got to thinking that maybe rights are just meaningless. Yeah, theres a right that says no unreasonable searches or seizures, but since I didnt know I could deny the search, he did it and I figured that he was going to do whatever he pleased, regardless of rights. And so I became rather cynical about how effective they were. Apu, if I deny a cops request to search my car or person, are you sure he cant arrest me or anything? Actually the police officer then has to make a decision whether to impound the car and wait for a search warrant or not. The courts recognize that an auto moves and allows for impounding the vehicle pending a search warrant. Next step is an officer of the court would have to request the search and explain to a judge why the cop thinks you are carrying something illegal. It would probably be tough for him to offer enough just cause to have the car searched. At that point, you would have your car back without a search. Another question, why do you think they pulled you over? Could it be profiling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hawaiisoxfn Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 It was speeding. I admit that part and Im fine with it, but the search is what made me mad. As for profiling, Im a white male. In case you were thinking it was a racist Hawaiian cop, it wasnt. He was white too. Just an asshole I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 It was speeding. I admit that part and Im fine with it, but the search is what made me mad. As for profiling, Im a white male. In case you were thinking it was a racist Hawaiian cop, it wasnt. He was white too. Just an asshole I guess. Brain used to get searched all the time when he was younger and pulled over (speeding of course, lol). He just rolled with it and they did their thing and let him go. One time though they pulled him into the state police office because they were convinced his 86 Mercury Capri was a chopped Mustang. They ran everything and it all came back in his name (he actually is selling this car now) and they let him go. Brian may have a temper, but damned if he doesn't know when to grin and bear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowerCaseRepublican Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I was pissed because when that cop searched my car I got to thinking that maybe rights are just meaningless. Yeah, theres a right that says no unreasonable searches or seizures, but since I didnt know I could deny the search, he did it and I figured that he was going to do whatever he pleased, regardless of rights. And so I became rather cynical about how effective they were. Apu, if I deny a cops request to search my car or person, are you sure he cant arrest me or anything? http://www.flexyourrights.org/scenario/trafficstop.html Flex Your Rights is a great resource -- had them on campus a few times discussing stuff about liberties you have with the police. Should give you lots of information there. And you can always get more info about your state's laws from the ACLU: http://www.acluhawaii.org/ They have no legal right to search you unless they see something incriminating in plain view, if you have been part of a crime that they suspect or if they have probable cause. If they don't have that, you are purely within your rights of the 4th amendment to deny them consent of a search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hawaiisoxfn Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 Im a neat freak. The only thing that was in plain view was my copy of the King James Bible, and that was only because I was on my way to church. Im not a suspect in any crime, and, although Im not sure what the requirements are for probable cause, Im pretty sure they didnt have that either. But whatever. Its over, they found nothing. I was mad, I made some stupid comments and now I said Im sorry. Lets just forget about it. And thanks for your recommendations apu. Now Ill know how to go about similar encounters in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hawaiisoxfn Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 Apu, whats number four supposed to mean? Determine if you can leave? It says you have the right to terminate an encounter with a police officer unless you are being detained and arrested. That doesnt mean you can just tell an officer that you dont feel like talking to him, and just leave does it? What exactly does that mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I got pulled over 13 times when I was 16 and had to pop the trunk a few times for cops. Buhhh who cares, had I had any real reason to tell the cops to shove it I would have, but I figured it was a part of growing up. It actually helped me immensely because now I know how to talk to cops, cause I'm used to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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