"This guy was way out of line, and no constitutional right would have been violated if they took him downtown for questioning.
Primary reason would be failure to co-operate with a police officer. Charges are not filed for everyone the police take downtown for questioning."
You must have flunked your Civics class. Taking someone to the station is also called an "arrest" and to arrest someone you have to have probable cause. Don't take my word for it, ask the Supreme Court. Failure to cooperate with police is NOT probable cause to arrest someone, according to the Supreme Court. His Constitutional rights were violated by the 1 1/2 hour "detention" (really an illegal arrest) to which he was subjected.
It's really exasperating to have to explain to people what their rights are. Why don't people know this stuff?
It's really exasperating to have to explain to people what their rights are. Why don't people know this stuff? Without stooping to the tone that you have ("you must have flunked civics") I am going to respond to you in a civilized manner:
Re read post 51. He explained to you once already the officers justification.
His Constitutional rights were violated by the 1 1/2 hour "detention" (really an illegal arrest) to which he was subjected.
Lets back up a second: Why was he 'detained' for an hour and a half?
Answer: because he refused to identify himself or to answer simple and reasonable questions. By his lack of cooperation, he was wasting the time of eight cops (or was it ten?).
If he had said: Hey guys, whats up? me? Oh, I am just a reporter fishing for a story, here is my Post ID. You guys were quick, by the way.
He would have been gone in five minutes and possibly even have had a better story!