Comments on: Paging Justice Scalia

By: DaveD

DaveD — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 15:11:42 +0000

When I've watched the show "Cops" on TV I am often surprised at how these cops seem to hassle some folks for absolutely no substantive reason. So this does not surprise me in the least.

By: legion

legion — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 14:41:15 +0000

Kent-
I'm also curious about how many of these cities will lose multi-million dollar civil suits as a result of the actions of their officers. Unfortunately, even that threat doesn't seem to be enough to convince people that cops need to be held to the same legal standards as regular citizens...

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 06:56:04 +0000

And the Bushites want to give the government more power still...

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 06:55:05 +0000

And the Bushites are just dying to give the government more power still...

By: floyd

floyd — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 04:06:57 +0000

steve; forget scalia, where do you stand on the second amendment?

By: floyd

floyd — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 04:04:21 +0000

steve; forget scalia; where do you stand on the second amendment?

By: Anderson

Anderson — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:53:46 +0000

I suspect part of the problem is that police officers are keenly aware of all the legal protections given a criminal defendant. Interesting take on a post that certainly seems to suggest the great bulk of "the problem" is cops who lie and cover up. But I suppose we could work it back to Miranda with enough effort.

By: Ron Johnson

Ron Johnson — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:51:23 +0000

Somewhat contrary to this report. There are several cases where off-duty police here in Portland have been tried and convicted of violence against citizens. Unfortunately you have to be gay in order to qualify as a victim in this case. A strait guy getting beat up by cops apparently was asking for it. A gay getting beat by cops is a hate crime.

By: kent

kent — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 23:23:40 +0000

I suspect part of the problem is that police officers are keenly aware of all the legal protections given a criminal defendant. It should be no surprise that they and their lawyers can play the system to the hilt.

It would be interesting to know whether these cops will be fired. Dismissal from the force presumably requires a lesser burdern of proof than a criminal conviction.