"And he couldn't prove it was legitimate," Bates insisted.
Monterey (TN) Police Officer Larry Bates
And that, Miles said, works to the benefit of the police.
He had two clients where police agreed to drop the cases in exchange for a cut of the money -- $1,000 in one case, $2,000 in another. In both cases, that was less than what they might have paid in attorney fees.
Miles called that "extortion."
Unconstitutional, un-American & absolutely preposterous that the hearing MUST be ex parte.
This is an outrageous betrayal on the part of the politicans and government of Tenn. Why can’t it be stopped in court as a violation of the State and/or Federal constituiton? I’m not driving through Tenn or Louisanna.
It’s unusual for local news to cover anything of meaning like this.
FYI ping
Police like cash.
Amazing this is allowed to happen in the USA.
That's the way things are done in Mexico and other Third World countries.
never tell any cop or other government official anymore than your name, date of birth and address. You have a right to not speak with/to them.
Seems the judges have more regard for the rights of real criminals.
Makes me mad when our legal system has no regard for the rights of innocent citizens. Sad innocent people get treated this way in this nation.
Used to be this crazy notion called "innocent until proven guilty"... Why is this a**-hat Bates not in prison?
"And he couldn't prove it was legitimate," Bates insisted.
Monterey (TN) Police Officer Larry Bates
"I said, 'Around $20,000,'" he recalled. "Then, at the point, he said, 'Do you mind if I search your vehicle?' I said, 'No, I don't mind.' I certainly didn't feel I was doing anything wrong. It was my money."
First mistake was when the officer asked if he was carrying a large amount of cash. The answer should have been "no".
Second mistake was when the officer asked if he could have permission to search the car. The answer should have been "no".
Third mistake, don't assume the officer agrees that you are not doing anything wrong. Do not offer anything. Anything you say can and will be used against you, or in this case, to take the guys cash.
Interesting way to raise funds for the state’s coffers though. The cops can place fake ads on craigslist and wait for out-of-state buyers. Then offer to meet up at the rest-stop near the border.
This reminds me of Matthew Hopkins, Witch Finder General in the early 17th century in England. He was paid a bounty by the Crown for every ‘witch’ he found. Well, guess what? He found all kinds of witches.
I can only hope that this officer and any and all enabling legislators and judges like him meet a fate similar to that of Hopkins. He went into a village that liked neither him, his objectives or his methods, and came to a bad but richly-deserved end.
Honestly, who carries 22 thousand bucks in cash with them? Think about it. You’re selling your car for $20,000. A guy from out of state shows up at your door and says, “Ok, here’s $20,000 in cash.” Bet ya dollars to donuts you’d think something was fishy.
Actually, the former (got indicted)DA in my County had his own police, aka, task force for asset seizures. He, and the District Judge (also indicted)used the funds for vacations to Hawaii.
Don’t ask me how they know, but if you are traveling on I-10 through Kerr County, TX and have a large sum of cash, these guys have a habit of taking it, labeling it drug money, money laundering, or whatever, and you can kiss it goodbye.
The officer clearly cites the war on drugs as his excuse for the seizure. It needs to end now.
Way too many cops are on power trips. And most of them couldn’t do any kind of work that requires the use of their brains. And for some reason they love to hang out at pawn shops.
TENNESSEE CONSTITUTION - ARTICLE I. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
§ 2. Doctrine of non-resistance
That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.
§ 7. Searches and seizures; warrants
That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions, from unreasonable searches and seizures; and that general warrants, whereby an officer may be commanded to search suspected places, without evidence of the fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, whose offences are not particularly described and supported by evidence, are dangerous to liberty and ought not to be granted.
§ 8. Deprivation of life, liberty or property under law; due process
That no man shall be taken or imprisoned, or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed or deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land.
§ 9. Rights of accused
That in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath the right to be heard by himself and his counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, and to have a copy thereof, to meet the witnesses face to face, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and in prosecutions by indictment or presentment, a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury of the County in which the crime shall have been committed, and shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself. § 17. Remedies in courts, suits against state
That all courts shall be open; and every man, for an injury done him in his lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and right and justice administered without sale, denial, or delay. Suits may be brought against the State in such manner and in such courts as the Legislature may by law direct.
§ 21. Taking of property; eminent domain
That no man's particular services shall be demanded, or property taken, or applied to public use, without the consent of his representatives, or without just compensation being made therefor.
§ 33. Slavery
That slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, are forever prohibited in this State.
As you can see, there's a lot of violations of the State's own Constitution; some blatant, some arguable, but more than enough to justify getting fighting-mad.
According to one Freeper—
In Mexico a policeman is only given bullets and gasoline and told to go out and make a living
They did not shoot any dogs so this stuff isn’t too bad
Hmm, how long before badmouthing the President brings the police to your door. Seems the law gets more and more absurd everyday.