I need some advice from a cop...

[prosserkid]

On 11/20/04 I was pulled over by a local cop and my friend was driving my car and I was drinking in the passenger seat. The officer came up to the driver side and told me that he needed to speak with me at the station...I asked what it was regarding and he said that I would find out at the station. Then he asked us to step out of the vehicle...we cooperated and then the reserve grabs my arm and puts me in a wrist lock and then the officer who originally stopped me said we're detaining you and your vehicle at this time. So the reserve takes me to the patrol car and places me in the back seat...while I ask to see their warrant to search my car. They didnt have one, but I guess they had probable cause since my vehicle was turned in as a egging vehicle. Anyways...they start searching my car and find two beer bottles on the passenger side floor...they put them on top of the vehicle...then popped the trunk and found more beer. (The rest of the 6-pack). Once they found the alcohol...Officer xxxx came back to the car and read me my rights..and took me to the station. Now...was I under arrest even though the officer never told me I was? Im being charged with Malicious Mischief and MIP MIC...what do I do? I'm only 17 and my future career was to become a police officer. The officer said I might not have court till the 1st of next year. Thanks for your time,
-Dusty-
(If you want to reply to my email your more then welcome). catchmeifyoucan05@hotmail.com

[Valor55]

First we don't need a warrant to search a car, just probable cause.

Secondly without knowing both sides of the story it is hard to comment on the facts.

Third if you want to be a cop this is your wakeup call. It's time to grow up. I know kids do stupid stuff and it's part of growing up. You got caught. Take your lumps and own up to it.

Nobody is perfect and nobody expects you to be perfect to be a cop. You probably will have to wait until you are 21 to apply to be a cop. You need to stay out of trouble and stay clean until then. If you can do that this episode will probably get chalked up to youthfull indiscretion. If you keep doing these things it will be a pattern of behavior that can get you DQ'd from being a cop for a long time.

If you haven't been in trouble they will probably offer some kind of diversionary program. Standing up and apologizing to the judge and the cops and asking for community service will probably go a long way when this episode gets researched by your background investigator. You can tell them you made a mistake, took your lumps for it, learned your lesson and grew up. I can't imagine that would cause you any problems in LE.

Like I said, wake up call. You need to quit drinking in public and in cars and doing stupid stuff when you are drinking.

Good luck.

[acreature]

If Hellyer is the Officer's name, please edit and remove. If it isn't and you are giving him this derogatory name, please refrain.

Also, if you plan on being an LEO, why would you knowingly violate law?

[JD45]

First as mentioned, unless you feel like posting your full true name, I'd remove the officer's name from your post.

Secondly, what state are you from?

Thirdly as mentioned, if you're looking for a LEO career, you should try and make this your last negative run in with law enforcement.

[lindat2957]

On 11/20/04 I was pulled over by a local cop and my friend was driving my car and I was drinking in the passenger seat.

I am not familiar with the laws in your state, but A) drinking in a car is against the law (at least here) B) being a minor and drinking is against the law.

So why would you be suprised to be taken out of the car in the first place?
By telling us that you asked the officer if he had a search warrant, I am going to guess that you probably came off with an attitude from th beginning. When a 17 year old kid gives me the impression that he knows more about the law then I do, I just smile. They are going to get an education on the law and everything they DON'T know.

If LE is your goal, the approach of knowing enough about the law, to avoid abiding by it is definately the wrong path to take.

You knowingly violated the law, accept it, learn from it, move on, and don't do it again. If LE is truly your choice, then demonstrating your ability to learn from mistakes and not repeat them, is the only way to get there.

[prosserkid]

how do I change officer xxxx name?

[JD45]

how do I change officer hellyers name?

There should be an edit button underneath your original post.

[Babysmamadrama]

Another thing, if you get put in handcuffs and put in the back off a police car, it's probably a safe bet that you are under arrest even though not told so. If I am detaining you only and I am putting you handcuffs for your/my safety, I would tell you so.

[prosserkid]

Sorry I guess I should have gave everybody a heads up on where I am from, and stuff. So I am from Prosser Washington, 17yr old female, and I was a former prosser police explorer sgt. I was a explorer for 3yrs and dropped out to explore other posts. There are a total of 8 police officers on the prosser police force, and I know all of them, and a few on a personal level. The officers were'nt aware of the alcohol when they stopped me...the original reason for pulling me over was the fact that my license plate was turned in for some eggins that a friend and I did on a friday night. They just got lucky when they found the alcohol. Im not trying to get out of anything, I totally deserved both tickets that I got, if not more and im totally willing to take responsibility for my childish actions. I was just curious if there was a way to possibly pay for what I did with out getting this on my permanent record. I have no previous criminal records.

[prosserkid]

how do I change officers name?

thanks

[acreature]

In NC we have a Deferred Prosecution Program for first time offenders.

Usually 48 hrs Community Service, Substance Abuse assessments, 6-12 mos of probation and a re-visit of the case if no troubles during the period. Then your record is cleaned with no conviction.

[prosserkid]

I dont see the edit button on my screen....do you use the quote button to edit?

[Babysmamadrama]

Guess all that explorer training, ridealongs, guidance didn't mean anything. You know all the officers in the town and call some of them friend and this is how you return their friendship? Thumbing your nose at what you KNEW to be right and proper?

Allright, I have done boneheaded stuff too when I was seventeen. You might be considered an adult in your state and that will be on an arrest record somewhere. This will come up during a BI. You are going have to square your shoulders and face what's coming. Like the others said, you may get a diversion program. The main thing is to resolve yourself not to screw up again. You will probably have to apply with a different area when you are old enough because your credibility in Prosser is not very good.

Good luck to you and stay clean.

[acreature]

I may be wrong, but I think you need a certain amount of posts to edit.... or they do not allow that option in "ask-a-cop"

[GoDirectly2Jail]

I was just curious if there was a way to possibly pay for what I did with out getting this on my permanent record. I have no previous criminal records.

Nope.

The best you can hope for is a dismissal, which isn't likely based on your admissions here. You may have success getting it expunged, but you would probably still have to disclose it to any prospective LE agency.