question about police

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I don't know the details of this story

But the short version is that my friend lives near a supermarket. She has serious sleepwalking issues, she was found in the store late at night, kind of sleep walking. They charged her with indecent exposure and possession (she didnt have anything but whatever) and because she no longer lives at home she didnt get the hearing papers in the mail on time. Keep in mind that they never read her miranda rights and they never actually arrested her or take her to the station.

Now some months later the cop is offering to drop the charges if she sets up a drug bust with them.. in other words use cops money to set up a guy via drug purchase.

can they do that?

 

[Finn]

Is a lawyer involved?

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

she doesn't have the money for a lawyer.. if she ahd a lawyer this probably wouldn't be an issue.

maybe she should get the PD but they are trying to strong arm her into doing this deal

 

[sojourner]

Something about this sounds shady. IS this in the U.S.? If so, she should be able to get at least a public defender for a trial. You don't say it directly, but it sounds like she was tried in absenta? Was she convicted? what kind of sentence did she receive? It's kind of hard to tell what the police can get her to do without knowing what her current status is.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

USA.. she was never actually arrested.. it IS shady but she has no money.. and is not sure what to do

 

[Sgt_G]

She should still talk with a lawyer, and there are plenty of pro bono legal aid centers around that help low-income / no-income people. Do an internet search for your city and drive her to one.

Part of the story doesn't make sense, though. If there was a hearing that she missed, she had to have been arrested or at least ticketed, but typically a ticket will indicate the hearing date. Regardless, if she actually missed a hearing date, she needs to confer with a lawyer as there may be a bench warrant issued for her.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Ok man.. thank you for the advise. There may be a bench warrant.. but they still shouldnt be asking to do this underground deal

 

[Finn]

Yes, what others said. She should still be able to get legal help even if she's broke.

Also, you said that the the cop offered the deal months later. How did the cop offer this deal with your friend? I'm wondering as the story implies the friend doesn't live at the address the cops had for her.

 

[Spot261]

Seems pretty ropey to me, has she spoken to this officer's superiors? Has she medical evidence regarding her condition?

 

[Cheapjack1]

Seems pretty ropey to me, has she spoken to this officer's superiors? Has she medical evidence regarding her condition?

The cop's bent and trying to crash the entire economy.

 

[LordMudd]

There is a version of this on Youtube. Black kid with a record trying to go straight. Cops tell him to find someone they can pin a gun on or they will pin it on him. He got them on audio saying it and they got convicted.


CCC.

 

[Tenacity]

Keep in mind that they never read her miranda rights and they never actually arrested her or take her to the station.

That the police have to read you your rights on first encounter in something out of television and movies.

You get read your rights at the time of formal arrest or when the police sit down with you for a legal interview.

Also you have to ask for a public defender, contacting the public defender's office directly would probably be a good idea..

If you change your address you have to tell the police or the court, and not assume that they will somehow figure it out.

It sounds like your friend is going to have to either present a doctor's report that she has been diagnosed with "sleep walking," or she might have to arrange to have her doctor appear in front of the judge.

When your doctor appears in court, usually you have to pay for their time and transportation. However a public defender might be able to get the court to make the payment.

Your friend might need to have herself declared legally indigent.

 

[elamigodemiamiga]

Most police are only in it to look cool and bad. i don't really trust them.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

thanks guys i will find out

 

[sojourner]

Most police are only in it to look cool and bad. i don't really trust them.

You must know very few police.

 

[elamigodemiamiga]

You must know very few police.

i know human psychology well enough.

 

[sojourner]

i know human psychology well enough.

Based on your previous post, that's doubtful.

 

[elamigodemiamiga]

Based on your previous post, that's doubtful.

it's my opinion. i know you probably don't like people making opinions, but OK. it's also my right to judge police, whether your subjective thinking likes or not.

 

[sojourner]

it's my opinion. i know you probably don't like people making opinions, but OK. it's also my right to judge police, whether your subjective thinking likes or not.

Your opinion seems to be made on anecdotal evidence. A very small sample set can lead to skewed results. I suggest getting to know more police.

 

[elamigodemiamiga]

Your opinion seems to be made on anecdotal evidence. A very small sample set can lead to skewed results. I suggest getting to know more police.

Humans have opinions on any grounds, it's HUMAN.