If someone breaks the law, should the officer be required to let them go if they have a sad story?

asylum31

I know hindsight is 20/20 and this is probably not what I would have done last weekend. But, since the outrage at the Moats incident, I have a feeling that there are going to be plenty of people having "sob" stories. I would follow that person to their destination and if their story is proven true, no ticket. If they were lying, I'm going to write them up for as much as I possibly can.

Joe

That's a terrible example... it's not sad at all.

thunder2sys

Never. You broke the law, pay the price.

sunstarr # 3

No, but a liberal would say "that poor, poor criminal all down on his luck."

Bear

The Dallas Police Chief says "Yes" by not standing behind his officers on scene. If I was an officer there I would be looking for a new job before I had my boss stab me in the back.

Stephen

prob only if u had a pregnant women in da car blatenly bout 2 giv birth they wont wont say no

Obama=Establishment Demagogue

No, they should be arrested, no one is above the law.

juicy_wishun

Legally, no. An officer should never let a person go, no matter what their reason for breaking the law. If it's actually a good reason (the driver was shot and rushing to a hospital) the courts will decide.

In reality, cops are people. If they beleive you, and its a valid reason, and especially if it's a victim-less crime like running a stop sign, no one will ever know except the cop and the guy.

If I was a cop, I would only let people go if they had a -creative- story. "I ran that stop sign because I realized I left my cigarettes and lighter at home, and I don't want my pet monkey to start smoking. They copy what they see, ya know!"

Big Boy

You have to use dicernment. Like the football player. If someone is speeding or runs a little and you see them going to the emergency room, then that should give the police a clue. They are here to protect and SERVE right?

Voice of Reason

If it's an emergency...the officer would have to use his judgment...damn, there are some heartless mother f**kers answering this question

socal.gold

Having a sad story to tell an officer has nothing to do w/ accepting personal responsibility.

firewomen

If the police let everyone go who had a sad story no one would be arrested or given a ticket.*

gorkbarque

No. Some sob story is no excuse to break the law.

Ziggy

Hi;

It depends on the officer. I really don't think a sad story will get you off the hook. Unless it was slippery from snow or something like that.

Police Officers have heard all kinds of silly stories and believe me they are not stupid.

Laurie

Cops have heard every story in the book. One who hasn't will be told by other officers. Cops use their own digression on whether to cite you or not.

George

This question gets into the intent of the law and the letter of the law. If you were speeding to get a bleeding person to the hospital you broke the letter of the law, but not the intent of the law. It is up to judge to determine this. That is way they call them judges.

righteousjohnson

It works for girls, if they start crying, and have a nice rack.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

It doesn't take much imagination to think of a scenario where it would be necessary to go through a stop sign. Medical reasons, being pursued, mechanical malfunction, icy road. oh but that's just a sad story. Yes there are a lot of heartless people. just get a rope and hang 'em high!

Max Hoopla

Not unless the state has a fertile imagination defense.

GrimJack

No. Anyone who breaks the law should be charged with whatever crime has been committed. Anyone who screws up should be held accountable for it.

In fact, I don't know why more police officers don't hold people accountable for their bad decisions even if they don't rise to the level of crimes or traffic infractions. People often claim they're making a "mistake" when they're actually showing poor judgement, a lack of character, a lack of personal integrity, or just plain old clumsiness.

ignant_slob

If the person has a legitimate reason for breaking the law which outweighs the infraction they committed AND they haven't infringed on another person's rights by committing the infraction, then it wouldn't be wrong IMO to let them off with a warning.

Example: They run a stop sign because they are rushing someone off to the hospital who is in need of urgent medical attention. There was no traffic around at the time and they caused no harm to any objects by running the stop sign. In this case a warning is sufficient. But if they caused people to have accidents by running it or caused property damage, then they should be ticketed or arrested.

And never should a person be let go just because the police officer finds them to b e attractive.

RU Quazee

They'll be wiping away the tears, but you'll still get cuffed. Or whatever.

Claude

The police officer should resign as soon as he enlists, in all cases and at all times.

Bounty Hunter

NO,
what kind of asinine question is this?
maybe if the excuse of "my wife's having a baby" is true.. thats it..

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