Our first unfree experience in NH

[Henry]

This evening my wife was pulled over for a bogus reason near our home, and she had forgotten her license. We were in different cars, helping my parents who had just driven 15 hours to visit here. The cop was just parked by an intersection and pulled her over when she passed, yet later said the reason was that she drove across the center line and caused him to swerve. He also told my mom to not move or speak, who was in the passenger seat. Nothing I don't hear about happening a lot, but still, the first thing it brought to mind is where Russell in the new Manchester open carry video says that Dave isn't free at this moment to walk. He can't go this way, he can't go that way. Many people say it's only for 5 minutes, and somehow acceptable, but we don't feel at all like that now. It's not. Without a reason people cannot be detained, yet we are. It really sucked, and still sucks because her first impulse was a strong desire to to move back to where we came from. It's still within our first month in NH, and so expect it to happen often. Anyways, that's what happened this evening with the police.

[error]

Where did this happen? What was the name of the officer involved? Did you get video? I didn't get a call Porc-411. Did you forget your cell phone? We have a support network here in place for a reason; the state is not entirely free yet! That sort of bullshit traffic stop is absolutely unacceptable.

[supperman15]

sorry to hear about that.  I think so many people subscribe to the mentality that this type of think is acceptable because what if that person they stopped happened to be a wanted violent criminal, or at least that is how they justify it to themselves.  Yet when it happens to you or a loved one you realize how wrong it is.  Let the anger go but not the injustice. 
When I was in NH i got a decal of the 'Don't Tread on Me' flag and i put it above my driver side door.  I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but it being there gives me some confidence.

[Kat Kanning]

It's all about fear.  They ramp up the fear that someone, somewhere is always out there, waiting to get you.  Then you want to give up all your freedom, dignity just to be safe and put up with stuff like this.

[Tom Sawyer]

What police department was this?

[Russell Kanning]

the bad thing is that you cannot get away from this anywhere in america except in very remotely populated areas ... it is all one big police state.

[d_goddard]

If you ever decide to testify at the State House on any remotely related bill, a personal story about how your family was mistreated by police goes a long way.

[Fluff and Stuff]

Cops have and will always pull us over for no reason and then fish for a reason to fine us.  This has happened to me on highways, in nice parts of town, and in bad parts of town.  I am sure the cops will not be much different when I move to NH.  Thankfully, NH has the 2nd least amound of cops per person in the nation so maybe it is less likely to happen. 

Oh, and I don't know why people keep saying that cops cannot detain people without a reason.  Cops can and will detain people without a reason and I am not sure if such a practice could ever be stopped.  Even if there were laws against it, it would still be extremely hard for a cop to ever get charged with violating such a law.  Afterall, cops frequently beat and shoot people and usually only get rewarded (such as a paid vacation) for it.

One good thing that came out of it, the cop actually told the passenger to not speak, which is a wonderful idea.  The passenger has almost no reason to speak in a case like this and it can really only make things worse.

[KBCraig]

Oh, and I don't know why people keep saying that cops cannot detain people without a reason.

While I don't agree with them, the Supreme Court has ruled that police may detain you for a "reasonable" amount of time while investigating whether you committed a crime or violation. They've never defined "reasonable", although they've ruled in different cases that 30 minutes is reasonable, and two hours is unreasonable. In between is purely gray, although I think even 30 minutes is completely unreasonable.

[supperman15]

Oh, and I don't know why people keep saying that cops cannot detain people without a reason.  Cops can and will detain people without a reason and I am not sure if such a practice could ever be stopped.  Even if there were laws against it, it would still be extremely hard for a cop to ever get charged with violating such a law.  After, cops frequently beat and shoot people are usually only get rewarded (such as a paid vacation) for it.

so lets get rid of cops and have peace officers

[BaRbArIaN]

More Fifes, less Rambos!

[Henry]

Thanks - lots of wise folk here and we feel much better after reading these responses, not better about what happened, but you know what I mean. This was in Farmington for those who asked.

[kola]

hey Henry..the more you know your rights the better you can handle these goons..it was an experience but you have learned by it. Don't let the bastards win.

Kola