Calif. Court OKs Traffic Arrests{California Supreme Court }

http://www.abcnews.go.com ^ | March 4 2002 | AP

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

S A N   F R A N C I S C O, March 4 —

The California Supreme Court on Monday upheld the arrest of a bicyclist for not having identification when he was pulled over for pedaling in the wrong direction on a one-way street.

The ruling upheld a state law allowing officers to arrest and search vehicle-code offenders who do not have identification. The infraction is punishable by a $100 fine.

The decision "is probably the price we're paying for 9-11," said Richard Fitzer, attorney for defendant Conrad McKay, referring to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The justices, ruling 6-1, also said the methamphetamine an officer found on McKay after his arrest in Los Angeles County could be used against him in court. McKay was sentenced to nearly three years after pleading guilty to a drug charge.

The high court followed a U.S. Supreme Court decision in April that validated a Texas motorist's arrest for not being buckled up, a 5-4 ruling that said police can arrest and handcuff people for minor traffic offenses.

"We conclude, in accordance with the United States Supreme Court precedent, that custodial arrests for fine-only offenses do not violate the Fourth Amendment," Justice Marvin R. Baxter wrote for the majority.

[max61]

You can bet the day I am all doped up driving my bike down a one way street the wrong way I'll expect the full force and might of our government to crack down on me. Rats like this don't belong among free men.

While at the same time the law is being applied to you for pedaling a bike down the street the wrong way, 45 robberies, 15 rapes and 4 murders are being committed. What a great way to expend government resources. You do work for the government don't you?.

One menace off the street, three bureaucratic jobs justified.

---max

[IronJack]

"Papesss pleasss."

[prambo]

Get lost, fascisti.

I think there's a few more "cops can do no wrong" scumbags that you could share a cab with.

prambo

[prambo]

"Assert" back - works for me.

prambo

[Francohio]

Wrong-o, NP,

Kalifornia cops do not bother arresting, stopping, or ID-img anyone who looks like an illegal alien, because it's a day wasted in processing and no fine will be paid.

If a non-Hispanic citizen were to be driving a pick-up load full of kids unsecured in the bed, and the pick-up had funny looking tags, he would last about a nano-second on the freeway. And, he would pay the fine or lose the truck.

[EBUCK]

Well summed up my friend. I'm just entering my thirties and I know I'll be singing a slightly different tune! Pushing up daisies 'cause I am not going to stand for a whole lot more than this (semi-idle threat for the edification of my ego).

EBUCK

[Navy Patriot]

Re#45: I was commenting on bicycles and motor vehicle regs. Where were illegals and pickup trucks included, and please clarify about what I am wrong-o.

[Orangedog]

I miss the good old days when my biggest childhood fear was being nuked in my sleep by the Soviets. Things were a lot simpler then. I mean, how could you not feel safe? Reagan was in the White House and Clint Eastwood had his own police force! (While mayor of Carmell)

[Orangedog]

You must have meant to say "pay the fine AND lose the truck." After all, it's "for the children!"

[savedbygrace]

I am more than willing to pay tax dollars to see these druggies taken out one at a time.

Great. Then you won't mind paying my taxes, huh?

Oh, you only meant you were willing to pay "your fair share?"

I understand, comrade.

[VA Advogado]

He wasn't charged with a license violation. He was charged with possession of drugs. At the time he was stopped he was in the process of committing a violation of law (riding the wrong way on a one way street). The search was pursuant to a lawful stop. Case closed. Flip the switch.

[VA Advogado]

Keep lurking until you can respect the laws of this fine country and the men and women who enforce them.

[VA Advogado]

What a great way to expend government resources. You do work for the government don't you?. One menace off the street, three bureaucratic jobs justified.

Clearly you are ignorant (among other things) of the Broken Window Theory . Read up good man.

[stryker]

You can bet the day I am all doped up driving my bike down a one way street the wrong way I'll expect the full force and might of our government to crack down on me. Rats like this don't belong among free men.

If early Americans thought like you we would never have had Lincoln, Washington, or Kennedy, all of which had serious personal problems for which you would now condemn and probably imprison them. I read your posts over and over and wonder what terrible thing happened to you that could bring you to hate so much. There are too many horrible things we must do in this world to do such things we need not do.

[Protagoras]

Rats like this don't belong among free men.

I was thinking that exact thing about you. You are one of the most sanctimonious rats I have ever encountered.

You are the ipecac of freerepublic.

[xm177e2]

You have to have ID on you just to go biking??? This is insane...

[Demidog]

LOL. You are a cartoon. I hope you don't expect people to take you seriously.