Steerforth
Junior Member
States: California and Texas
Fifty-nine year old totally and permanently disabled man (mental disability), visited family in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving (drove cross-country).
Left for home in California middle of December but stopped in West Texas on a questionable violation ("crossed white line"). DPS officer asked to search car and after ten minutes found about two ounces of marijuana used for self-medication since living with disability for thirty years without much medical assistance (Vietnam related brain injury and trauma). Circumstances involving the "stop" were very strange, as the officer was standing by the side of the road when the alleged violation occurred.
Taken to headquarters in Handcuffs. Truck was completely searched and laptop computer was seized because of alledged pornography.
Taken to the county jail for twenty-four hours (first time arrested) and put in a tank with about fifteen other guys.
Almost a day later, charged with a first degree misdemeanor and bail wa set at $2,000. Had to put up $800.00 on the insistance of the bail bondsman.
Released after 5 pm and had to walk to a motel. Following morning, picked up truck, which cost $200.00 for towing and three days storage. Driver also charged me $50.00 to drive four miles to pick up truck.
Having very bad flashbacks, anxiety and depression. Traumatized.
What does the American with Disabilities Act say about incarcerated prisoners who haven't been charged? Seems as though there should have been some kind of screening. Being thrown into jail is a major life stresssor and could be potentially fatal for a totally disabled person.
Also, I've searched fourthammendment.com and it appears as if a search warrant is needed to search through someone's computer.
Is there a civil rights case here?
Thanks! I'm still in shock, and any advice would be approcated.
S.
Fifty-nine year old totally and permanently disabled man (mental disability), visited family in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving (drove cross-country).
Left for home in California middle of December but stopped in West Texas on a questionable violation ("crossed white line"). DPS officer asked to search car and after ten minutes found about two ounces of marijuana used for self-medication since living with disability for thirty years without much medical assistance (Vietnam related brain injury and trauma). Circumstances involving the "stop" were very strange, as the officer was standing by the side of the road when the alleged violation occurred.
Taken to headquarters in Handcuffs. Truck was completely searched and laptop computer was seized because of alledged pornography.
Taken to the county jail for twenty-four hours (first time arrested) and put in a tank with about fifteen other guys.
Almost a day later, charged with a first degree misdemeanor and bail wa set at $2,000. Had to put up $800.00 on the insistance of the bail bondsman.
Released after 5 pm and had to walk to a motel. Following morning, picked up truck, which cost $200.00 for towing and three days storage. Driver also charged me $50.00 to drive four miles to pick up truck.
Having very bad flashbacks, anxiety and depression. Traumatized.
What does the American with Disabilities Act say about incarcerated prisoners who haven't been charged? Seems as though there should have been some kind of screening. Being thrown into jail is a major life stresssor and could be potentially fatal for a totally disabled person.
Also, I've searched fourthammendment.com and it appears as if a search warrant is needed to search through someone's computer.
Is there a civil rights case here?
Thanks! I'm still in shock, and any advice would be approcated.
S.