Police Discretion in Arrest and Citation Police responding to a scene of reported criminal activity or responding in observance of in-view criminal activity are empowered with a measure of discretion in choosing whether to arrest or cite in response to criminal activity. In other words, police are not necessarily bound with the absolute mandate to arrest or write a ticket to… Read More
Identifying Accused Criminals When a crime occurs, police become informed by citizens who call either 911 for emergencies, recently committed crimes, and crimes in progress, or who call non-emergency police numbers for cold crimes. When calls are received, trained police dispatchers gather information from the caller. When a crime is in progress or recently committed, dispatchers will ask… Read More
What to Do if You Are Stopped by Police Being stopped by the police can be a very disturbing and unwelcome experience. Often, a stop by police is conducted on a person who is altogether innocent, but who faces scrutiny by virtue of being in the wrong place at the wrong time or by fitting the description of an offender of a proximal crime.… Read More
The Police Seized Me and Took Evidence without Cause Most people understand when they are under arrest because it usually involves an explicit statement from police advising the status, restraint by handcuffs, being placed in the back of a police car, and having rights recited. However, many do not fully understand the legality of a temporary detention by police. Popular misconception has somewhat polarized… Read More