Police find unique way to charge criminals: Force them to commit crimes
November 27, 2008This is amazing:
The lawsuit that George William Roberts filed Thursday stems from a May 11 incident in which Roberts was charged with public intoxication. The charge was later dismissed in General District Court.
Melvin Williams, who is representing Roberts, said court testimony indicated that police were answering a call about someone disturbing the peace. After speaking to neighbors, they went to Roberts’ door in the 800 block of Peck Street [in Roakoke, VA].
According to the lawsuit, Roberts’ girlfriend answered and when asked if anyone else was home, she told them Roberts was getting dressed in a back room. As she spoke, Roberts walked into the living room where he could be seen from the door.
Officers pushed into the house, seized Roberts, dragged him outside and charged him with being drunk in public, the lawsuit says.
Naturally, he’s suing for $10 million, saying that police trespassed, committed assault and battery, and both the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition of unreasonable search and seizure and Virginia law by entering his home without a warrant.
Hey, I mean it’s not like they held him down and forced him to drink before they violated his privacy, committed assault and dragged him outside where they could claim he was drunk and in public.
Good luck with the lawsuit.
Tags: Constitutional rights, crime