scb@philabs.UUCP (Sean Byrne) (03/26/85)
I am posting this to solicit advice, here's the story:
While driving my motorcyle in the State of NY on March 24th, I
stopped behind a police car at about 12:30am. As everyone who has ever
driven a bike at night knows, when you stop behind someone driving a car,
your headlight is pretty bright in their rear-view mirror. Anyway
after the light changes green, the cop pulls me over for having my
high beams on (which of course I didn't). So anyway he runs my lic.
and registration through their computer and it turns up my lic. as
being suspended. (On Feb. 21, I recieved a notice for an unpaid
traffic ticket, saying Pay This In 30 Days Or We'll Suspend Your
License. So I paid it on the 8th, and got the suspension release
in the mail on March 13th. -- Apparently, the issuing court didn't
tell the computer that my lic. was NOT suspended) However, when I
produced the release for the police, they said that it didn't matter
what it said, the computer said my lic. was suspended, case closed.
So anyway, 2 police cars escorted me down to the local police station
where I was arrested for driving on a suspended lic. During the 2.5
hour ordeal I was handcuffed to a chair so I wouldn't run away. My
motorcycle was impounded and bail set at $110, which I paid and then
went home -- at three o'clock in the morning. So on Monday, I go
to see the issuing court (of the original ticket and suspension
release) and demand why the computer says my lic. is suspended. These
people are very helpful and tell me what I already know-- my lic. is
in fact NOT suspended and the piece of paper I had overrode anything
the computer had to say-- go to the DMV and make sure the suspension
is taken off the computer. This I did and the DMV was very helpful
in also telling me that my lic. was not suspended. So I then (exasperated
at this point) go to the people who arrested me and say "What is going
on?" This time I talk to the lieutenant is charge and he is very
apoligetic that the whole thing happened, gives me back my bail, lic.,
registration, unimpounds my bike, and drops all charges against me.
(The release I had WAS sufficient proof of having a valid lic.)
The question: none of this goes on my record, but isn't this a case
of false arrest? Would it do me any good to sue besides appeasing
my anger and desire to blow up a few police cars? What are my options?
Anyway, advice, opinions, and past experience are welcomed...
--
USENET- .... Sean Byrne
5 years . /\ . CSRG, Philips Laboratories
of anarchy . / \ . Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
freedom . / \ . (914) 945-6236
and ---/------\---
chaos. /. .\ UUCP: {allegra,decvax,ihnp4}!philabs!scb
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