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"Seattle police officials declined to comment on this case, citing concerns that Brooks might file a civil lawsuit."

I would say they are right to be worried. Tazering a pregnant woman because she refused to sign a traffic ticket is absurd. Arresting her is absurd for that matter.

The police had no common sense in this case. How can they expect respect when they treat a pregnant woman who's only crime is driving 32 in a 20 the same as a car jacker or other hardened criminal?

I realize they don't always behave so badly but it is these cases everyone hears about, and it's these cases that cause people to hate the police.

What police should do in cases where people refuse to sign a ticket is take a Polaroid of the driver and just note that the driver refused to sign on the paperwork. How much easier would that be than handcuffing them and dragging them off to jail?

It's ridiculous. You know you live in a police state when a simple traffic infraction can lead to an arrest if you refuse to sign the ticket.

If signing a ticket is so important, however do they prosecute traffic infringements that are caught on camera and where the tickets are sent in the mail? All you can do is shake your head and feel sorry for the moron cops who aren't smart enough to think their way out of a wet paper bag.

Dear monday,

"If signing a ticket is so important, however do they prosecute traffic infringements that are caught on camera and where the tickets are sent in the mail?"

At least in jurisdictions in this region, camera-generated tickets only generate fines, not points on one's license. This is precisely because of identification problems.

That being said, the Polaroid solution sounds like the right one, here. The law should not be written in a way that takes a minor issue - failure to sign a ticket for a very minor offense - into a major issue.

sitetest

A traffic "infraction" is a misdemeanor. Crossing the border illegally is a misdemeanor. Striking your neighbor in the face with your fist is a misdemeanor.

For all you know, it is a crime for a police officer in that jurisdiction to release someone without their signature or an appearance bond.

Speeding through a school zone is a dangerous offense. Possibly in the reckless driving class.