I'm not sure which is more eye-widening; that this is illegal in the US, or that it's something the police consider to be so far up their priority list as to enforce.

What, you think getting out of a car on a main road is OK? It's dumb... how hard is it to pull off at a side-street?

[quote name='Katie' timestamp='1302358963' post='4796345']
I'm not sure which is more eye-widening; that this is illegal in the US, or that it's something the police consider to be so far up their priority list as to enforce.

What, you think getting out of a car on a main road is OK? It's dumb... how hard is it to pull off at a side-street?
[/quote]
Is driving while not feeling well permitted in US? Here, at least, the traffic law says explicitly, that you are not allowed to drive if feeling dizzy, sleepy or otherwise not well. And to solve such cases, where both actions (continuing driving and changing seats) are against law, "the principle of smaller danger" is applied.

Actually the fact, that you decided to get out of car on road may itself prove, that you were not able to assess the situation adequately. And in that case it was the right thing to do - because continuing to drive, even looking side streets would have been more dangerous.

Well judging from your profile picture, the police had nothing but statistics to judge you from. You dress like a subculture that tends to do bad things. Couple that with doing something silly and not knowing when to be quiet (why fight the police in such a situation?) and you got what's on your plate.

1. If you want respect from the police, show respect yourself. Don't identify with a shit subculture.

2. Don't argue / defend / justify shit with a person disconnected from rationality. Most police get consumed by the power / above the law nature of the job ("to serve and protect" doesn't exist anymore).

3. Pick your battles wisely, you were clearly at a disadvantage going into the situation for a number of reasons (namely, your previous record).

Regardless, if you have the time on your hands, go defend yourself in court.

1. If you want respect from the police, show respect yourself. Don't identify with a shit subculture.

agree.

2. Don't argue / defend / justify shit with a person disconnected from rationality. Most police get consumed by the power / above the law nature of the job ("to serve and protect" doesn't exist anymore).[/quote]
to be fair, police have a very difficult job. I do wish they would be more willing to accept that they are wrong when they are wrong, but you still have to empathize with the difficulty of their job. That being said, I have noticed that the times I have been pulled over or questioned by police you can almost see the moment where the cops go from, "I am about to lay down the law on a suspected criminal..." to, "Well shit... touche. you're not that bad; it's just a shitty situation," just from being polite and respecting them.

The one time I more seriously broke the law (underage drinking and disorderly conduct) the police officer actually ended up being nice by the end of the ordeal despite having every reason to be a dick just because once the police were there I stopped being stupid. And I was a classic white American kid not dressed like an idiot and was accused of having a previous drug conviction, which I did not have. I did not flip out about it because I didn't want to get the maximum fine allowable by the law and I'd much rather go in and argue it with the police officer saying, "yea he fucked up but he wasn't so bad," than, "He was a little shit that deserves the maximum..."

Is driving while not feeling well permitted in US? Here, at least, the traffic law says explicitly, that you are not allowed to drive if feeling dizzy, sleepy or otherwise not well. And to solve such cases, where both actions (continuing driving and changing seats) are against law, "the principle of smaller danger" is applied.

It depends on the state.

In many states driving while tired or sick is a traffic offense, but it needs to be severe enough that it impairs your ability to drive.

In several states (like mine) both are misdemeanor crimes, but the evidence of the crime is generally that you crashed your vehicle.

This type of law is more reactive and punitive then preventative.

[color=#1C2837][size=2]>>Well judging from your profile picture, the police had nothing but statistics to judge you from. You dress like a subculture that tends to do bad things. Couple that with doing something silly and not knowing when to be quiet (why fight the police in such a situation?) and you got what's on your plate.
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[color=#1C2837][size=2]Ok I see where you are coming from. But I was dressed perfectly fine. I didn't have subculture type clothes on. I was wearing a sweats and a black shirt and sneakers. Nothing else. So I don't think thats
[color=#1C2837][size=2]quite the problem. He could always make assumptions like the one you are making, but my point is that he and you shouldn't put judgement on me based on the assumption because well they are just assumptions.
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>>1. If you want respect from the police, show respect yourself. Don't identify with a shit subculture.
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[color=#1C2837][size=2]The problem here is that your only seeing the subculture in your own perspective. Through mines, it is not shit. I usually am good with keeping myself out of trouble. I goto church. I get good grades.
I don't party. I put other people's feelings before mines( usually ). So again, your judging me from my looks and from that one stupid action which I know and agreed was wrong and I'm sorry for.

>>2. Don't argue / defend / justify shit with a person disconnected from rationality. Most police get consumed by the power / above the law nature of the job ("to serve and protect" doesn't exist anymore).


[color=#1C2837][size=2]ok.
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[color=#1C2837][size=2]Pick your battles wisely, you were clearly at a disadvantage going into the situation for a number of reasons (namely, your previous record).
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[color="#1C2837"]My previous record? Besides this stupid ticket, I had nothing in my record.
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[color="#1C2837"]But thanks for the replies.
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The thing to take away is that there is a time and a place to argue about a police officer's conduct, and while he is dealing with you is usually not the best time. Often it will not only make him feel justified in his actions, but make him legally justified in many more actions that will probably make you even more upset like putting everyone in your car in handcuffs while he calls in backup and searches your car. Imagine how cool the girls in the back seat will think you are when they get charged with possession of marijuana because they had a joint in their purse for later because you had to argue; or worse, imagine what a great time you'd have if YOU got a possession charge because the girl tossed that joint on the floor.

Is that worth getting snippy because a police officer asked if you were on drugs?

The thing to take away is that there is a time and a place to argue about a police officer's conduct, and while he is dealing with you is usually not the best time. Often it will not only make him feel justified in his actions, but make him legally justified in many more actions that will probably make you even more upset like putting everyone in your car in handcuffs while he calls in backup and searches your car. Imagine how cool the girls in the back seat will think you are when they get charged with possession of marijuana because they had a joint in their purse for later because you had to argue; or worse, imagine what a great time you'd have if YOU got a possession charge because the girl tossed that joint on the floor.

Is that worth getting snippy because a police officer asked if you were on drugs?

I mean I realize that there is a time and place for everything. And I will just swallow my pride against cops from now on, unless its too much. On a side note, I don't hang around people that do drugs.

[color="#1C2837"]He could always make assumptions like the one you are making, but my point is that he and you shouldn't put judgement on me based on the assumption because well they are just assumptions.

Welcome to the real world. You are going to get judged by your appearance all the time. Everyone does it to some extent, even if they are not aware of it. As I see it you have two choices. Clean up your appearance, or continue to whine about how it's unfair.

I mean I realize that there is a time and place for everything. And I will just swallow my pride against cops from now on, unless its too much. On a side note, I don't hang around people that do drugs.

You don't think you do. You'd be surprised how many people do and never tell you about it. I have a couple friends who caught the shit stick assuming such things.

And you should almost always just swallow your pride. If it really is too much then file a complaint the next day. It will have a bigger affect than yelling at the police officer. Just ask politely for his badge number, which he is required to give, and report it later.