A DISERTATION
on
COURTS AND COPS!
I recently "enjoyed" the "privilege" of attending a "court session." It was a "circus." The judge was fair, but nevertheless adhered to the "tricky ways" in which the "fine system" is set up. If you do not understand the way that works, you would be decieved! At the time of this court session, they currently require "masks" in the courtroom. I refused. I had to make a MOTION, to be reviewed by the judge, in order to wear a SHIELD instead. Interestingly, the prosecutor wore a shield, too!
There were NINE court employees to handle FIVE misdemeanor traffic citation cases. They took in over $400 in "fines" during the nearly three hour session. Most who were found "guilty," screwed themselves, thinking they would get a "lesser fine" by trivializing their circumstances. Several had good cases for a "not guilty" verdict, but "blew it" by "admitting" things they need not have. Several were very intimidated. The one case where the judge found for the defendant (not guilty) was made because the defendant was articulate, and the prosecution had some confusion regarding the "facts." The cop was totally useless. The defendant made no effort to assist the prosecution nor the cop. Both were hard to hear, as neither knew how to use a microphone efficiently. The defendant refused to admit guilt and maintained that position throughout the session. The "burden of proof," after all, is always upon the prosecution.
In my own experience as a reporter, I have covered many a story involving cops. In some cases, cops were treated very unfairly by the press for political reasons. In others, the cops made huge mistakes, accidentally or on purpose. The Rodney King affair is a prime example. A lady (California) CHP officer was beaten by King during a traffic stop. She called for backup, and when the male officers arrived and saw her being flailed, they attacked King. Guess which part of the video ended up "edited out" on the nightly news! King was no angel; he had a rap sheet! Of course, the officers actions were wrong. They lost their cool. But King became a media "hero!" He sued and collected a huge settlement that in reality he was not entitled to!
I was stopped for a "rear brake light out" by an ISP officer some ten or more years ago. He was an Idaho cop who is still mocked behind his back, and not well liked for his draconian ways on the job. I ended up making a complaint against him. He was the perfect idiot. He asked me to place my GEAR SHIFT TRUCK into the PARK POSITION! That same idiot is now working with the transportation depatment in the same state hassling truckers! Stupidity pays well in the beaureau-crazy!
More than ten years ago, an "investigator" for the local sheriff stopped and hassled me on the hiway, accusing me of stalking a woman I did not know. The make and model of the truck and the description of the perpetrator was all wet, but that did not stop him from pressuring me. It annoyed me enough to the point I went to the sheriff's office to make a complaint, and was CONFRONTED BY THE SAME CLOWN again! Apparently, he thought it was "okay" to invistigate his OWN complaint. So, I sent the sheriff a letter he could not refuse and ended up having a pleasant conversation with the Under-sheriff. The result was I got a letter of appology from the officer who admitted to pressuring me! That guy no long works for the department, but runs a brewery instead. Better for all of us!
The Under-sheriff was a former Los Angeles supervising officer who worked in the Department of Internal Affairs. This is the police department's internal investigation department which handles "officer misconduct." He told me he "had seen the rot." We discussed that and he also told me he could not know what his officers were doing "in the field," if he was not told! Hence, he appreciate my "intelligent" letter, something he said he seldom got! We also discussed a matter we were both familiar with, involving over 3,000 cases thrown out of court in LA because the officer LIED under oath and fabricated "evidence." A sharp attorney nailed him. The Under-sheriff also gave his opinion that cops often come from the lowest 20% of the intelligence heap. They also come from the lowest 20% on the economic ladder. I think he was right. Don't expect "brilliance" from these people!
A teacher I know who retired locally, used to live and teach in Colorado. She told me that of all the "problems boys" she dealt with in her school classes, many often became "deputies!" She was quite distressed to realize she had helped "educate" such people. It gave her a bad feeling about to what degree these boys might "help" others!
When I was a witness some time back in a matter not involving me personally, I met with an Idaho attorney. He was not very fond of cops in general. he said that cops MAKE MORE MISTAKES THAN ANYONE. I have to agree that my experience mirrors his It is a shame, really. When I was growing up, cops were RESPECTED and actually HELPED people. Not so much anymore. They have become way too political, miltary and killing-oriented towards civilians.
Recently, a Boundary County Idaho chiropractor, Dr. Daniel Moore, was hassled by a local police department, not allowed an attorney, and coerced into making some kind of a questionable "confession." He was arrested for Second Degree Murder. But First District Judge Barbara Buchanan threw out the charges because of police misconduct. That matter is now before the Idaho State Supreme Count, appealed by the authorities. Locals often appeal such cases because there is "money" in it. It remains to be seen what the outcome will be.
In the State of Idaho, a driver needs to know and understand that SPEED LIMIT is absolute. There is NO LEEWAY! Never! There are no GREY AREAS. Sometimes, a cop using good judgment, may decide NOT to issue a ticket, but don't count on it! Cops are oppportunists, they act on WHIM as much as anything. The fiction that they are looking out for our "safety" is a crock of garbage. That is just an EXCUSE to stop you. In the final analysis, it is POWER and MONEY that counts. Also, they are looking for advancement opportunities. Having a great "ticket writing record" helps.
NEVER ADMIT ANYTHING. NEVER. You do not know if you are being videoed or not. Radar is often wrong. The officer is often wrong. The BURDEN OF PROOF is always upon the officer. A man who admits to nothing has a far better chance of winning in court than anything. You may succeed, you may not. If there is a reasonable doubt, and you do not incrimminate yourself, you may win. Always challenge everything in court. Be smart. Arguing with an officer in the field can cause unending problems as officers often loose their cool and can escalate things way beyond reason. That happens way too often!
Better yet, look upon each drive you take as a "driving school," and make NO mistakes. If you are followed, turn off somewhere and let the rascal pass you! Better if you follow him!
Also, PRE-FLIGHT your car before taking off. That is a requitrement for pilots who fly airplanes. The reason is to catch mistakes before they become problem areas. Most of the time you will be able to avoid unpleasant "encounters of the alien kind!"
Full Moon!
Written
and Posted
by
Harald Hesstvedt Scharnhorst
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