V
vinminson
Guest
Wednesday, I was to meet with a potential client at a bar
in Concord CA. I arrived at this bar approximately 30 minutes prior to our designated time. Shortly after arriving, 5 or 6 Concord police officers entered the bar and walked directly to where I was seated, they asked what my name was, and I replied Mike, which is my name. I was then told to stand up and turn around with my hands behind my back, which I did, and was then told I need to come with them and escorted outside into the parking lot. Once outside, the arresting officer, who's name I can not read from the "Release and Promise to Appear" citation issued to me, told me "At this time we will be taking you into custody", and then handcuffed me. I was told to "Hold tight" and things would be explained to me, which I did. They then searched me, my wallet and organizer, and took the keys to my car, and proceeded to search my vehicle with the aid of a police dog. During the time they were searching, approximately 10 more Concord police officers showed up, the show of force was intimidating to say the least. At this point approximately 45 minutes had now expired, and at this point they decided to take the handcuffs off, which had been so tight, my fingertips were numb. Again I was told to "Hold tight", while the officers made radio calls. Another 10 minutes went by when I was finally told, "You have a warrant out for your arrest", that is all the officer said. Once told, I immediately asked what for??? I had recently renewed my drivers licensee and my record was clear, and I have only had one ticket in my whole life, which is the extent of my criminal history, so I was amazed that I could have a warrant out for my arrest. After asking the officer what my warrant was for, another 10 minutes went by while they looked up what the violation code, so they could tell me. As it turns out, it was for the one ticket I have ever had, which happened about 8 years ago, and the violation was for a "Windshield Tint Violation", which I had taken care of years ago, I even went to the DMV the following day to get a printout of my record, which has absolutely nothing on it, just as it didn't a year and a half ago when I had to renew my license. Here is where the field sobriety tests began, a total of 5 of them. My pulse was taken 3 times, I was made to follow the officers pen with my eyes, and I was asked to count to 30 while standing with my head back and eyes closed. All tests I passed, because I was not under the influence of anything, with the exception of 1 beer which I had been nursing when they arrived. After the sobriety tests, I was handed my citation and told to sign it, which I did, and while doing so, I noticed the officers clip board, which had a mugshot like picture of a person named "Mike", so I asked if that was a person they were looking for, they said "yes, why, you know him"? And I did know him by face from the bar I was at, and that was all that was said about it, I signed my citation, and was told that if I were seen by the officers driving my car, I would be arrested for being under the influence, they did not specify what it was I was supposedly under the influence of, but I didn't question anything and went back into the bar. So after all was said and done, this hour and a half interrogation that cost me a client was over a window tint violation that doesn't exist. Help Me!!! I have been violated!!! What do I do???
[Edited by vinminson on 02-16-2001 at 07:27 PM]
in Concord CA. I arrived at this bar approximately 30 minutes prior to our designated time. Shortly after arriving, 5 or 6 Concord police officers entered the bar and walked directly to where I was seated, they asked what my name was, and I replied Mike, which is my name. I was then told to stand up and turn around with my hands behind my back, which I did, and was then told I need to come with them and escorted outside into the parking lot. Once outside, the arresting officer, who's name I can not read from the "Release and Promise to Appear" citation issued to me, told me "At this time we will be taking you into custody", and then handcuffed me. I was told to "Hold tight" and things would be explained to me, which I did. They then searched me, my wallet and organizer, and took the keys to my car, and proceeded to search my vehicle with the aid of a police dog. During the time they were searching, approximately 10 more Concord police officers showed up, the show of force was intimidating to say the least. At this point approximately 45 minutes had now expired, and at this point they decided to take the handcuffs off, which had been so tight, my fingertips were numb. Again I was told to "Hold tight", while the officers made radio calls. Another 10 minutes went by when I was finally told, "You have a warrant out for your arrest", that is all the officer said. Once told, I immediately asked what for??? I had recently renewed my drivers licensee and my record was clear, and I have only had one ticket in my whole life, which is the extent of my criminal history, so I was amazed that I could have a warrant out for my arrest. After asking the officer what my warrant was for, another 10 minutes went by while they looked up what the violation code, so they could tell me. As it turns out, it was for the one ticket I have ever had, which happened about 8 years ago, and the violation was for a "Windshield Tint Violation", which I had taken care of years ago, I even went to the DMV the following day to get a printout of my record, which has absolutely nothing on it, just as it didn't a year and a half ago when I had to renew my license. Here is where the field sobriety tests began, a total of 5 of them. My pulse was taken 3 times, I was made to follow the officers pen with my eyes, and I was asked to count to 30 while standing with my head back and eyes closed. All tests I passed, because I was not under the influence of anything, with the exception of 1 beer which I had been nursing when they arrived. After the sobriety tests, I was handed my citation and told to sign it, which I did, and while doing so, I noticed the officers clip board, which had a mugshot like picture of a person named "Mike", so I asked if that was a person they were looking for, they said "yes, why, you know him"? And I did know him by face from the bar I was at, and that was all that was said about it, I signed my citation, and was told that if I were seen by the officers driving my car, I would be arrested for being under the influence, they did not specify what it was I was supposedly under the influence of, but I didn't question anything and went back into the bar. So after all was said and done, this hour and a half interrogation that cost me a client was over a window tint violation that doesn't exist. Help Me!!! I have been violated!!! What do I do???
[Edited by vinminson on 02-16-2001 at 07:27 PM]