Justin Holmes gets “pulled over” for the non-crime of rollerblading, and rightly refuses to identify himself to law enforcement. When asked why he’s being detained, the officer cites some local ordinance that prohibits rollerblading, which ordinance probably does not exist.
No matter, Justin’s exercise of certain rights guaranteed by the first, fourth, and fifth amendments to the U.S. constitution (and probably most State and Local legislation, too) are construed as “disrespectful”, so you see where this is probably going. Fortunately, Justin stood his ground and shot this awesome footage to Vimeo.
(It’s a long video, Don’t show ID in New York State! so I’ve summarized some important exchanges below.)
The female officer (second on-scene) pulls out all the stops, with the “You could be a pedophile” line.
Female LEO: The reason why we ask you… thing is, why we ask that, is part of our job is to fight criminals. And we don’t know if you are, just by looking at you… When we encounter people, we gotta make sure they’re not wanted… So we run their name, it’s that simple…This particular situation is just to make sure that you’re not someone wanted, some pedophile that’s wanted, OK, that you’re not a fugitive of justice. [Justin has refused to present identification] We have to take your word for it?
Justin: Take my word for it, that’s right. In a free society, that’s right.
Eventually, I guess, they decide that there are no dangerous rollerblading pedophiles named Justin Holmes in the New York area, but he’s not going to get off that easy. At one point, the male officer tells Justin to take off his skates and walk home without his shoes on. He asks whether he can skate on the sidewalk, and is told that he cannot. The male officer repeats, that “there is an ordinance.” Remember this lie.
Justin: I do need to know the number of the ordinance.
Male LEO: I’m not going to bother with that because I’m not going to charge you with it.
This is also very interesting, telling, actually, because SOP dictate that “disrespectful” folks like Justin are subject to additional charges like “resisting arrest” or “obstruction”.
The encounter culminates in an attempt to “run him out of town.” At this point, the officer has already informed Justin that rollerblading is illegal in the Village. He’s even said that it’s illegal to do it on the sidewalk (highly suspect). Justin says that he’s prepared to walk, to which the officer says he wants him out of town, the quickest, safest way possible—the clear implication being that Justin should skate his way out of town.
Male LEO: I don’t want you in this village. So I’m gonna be the nice guy and make it so you can get out of this village in the easiest safest and quick way, you tell me what that is…
Justin: I would like to simply skate on the sidewalk but it’s not clear to me if that’s legal.
Male LEO: Then do it and get out of here.
Justin: Is that legal?
Male LEO: I didn’t say it. Do it and get out of here. ‘Cause I really don’t want you in this village.
Justin is understandably confused, and again inquires about the legality of such behavior. The officer refuses to positively respond to Justin’s reasonably inquiries.
At 26:12 the female LEO says that it is indeed legal, very legal.
If rollerblading in the street really is illegal in Port Dick, then these officers collectively wasted about an hour and twenty minutes arguing with someone who in their opinion was “ignorant” and “disrespectful” during a justifiable detention, and they’re simply going to let him skate his way out of town?
I’m sorry, but this doesn’t pass the smell test: If you’re going to let the guy walk under these circumstances, then why detain him in the first place? You wouldn’t, unless you were just flexing your badge; being an asshole just because you can be an asshole and nobody will do anything about it.
The only logical conclusion is that Justin didn’t do anything against the law, and the officers knew it.
Some people say, “Well Justin should’ve just shown his ID to the cops, this could’ve all been over in a few seconds if he had just complied.” But it could’ve all been over, in fact the entire encounter need never have occurred, had the officer simply stopped him briefly and said, “Hey kid, it’s not safe and/or illegal to skate in the street, stay on the sidewalk and have a safe trip home.”
So sad to watch tthis, the police have little understanding of God given rights protected by the constitution. I wish they would read the " American Ideal of 1776", this book is on line. Any one who reads it will gain a new profound understanding of just how great a counrty this was and still could be. Please, read the book, and become an American that our founding fathers would be proud of.
You've got a motor mouth. Do not talk to the police. Shut up. Close the cake hole. Zip it.
Dont Talk to Police
121,048 views
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc
An law school professor and former criminal defense attorney tells you why you should never agree to be interviewed by the police.
Those two jack boots should have been shot right through the head right on the spot, period.
As long as people allow others to attack them the attacks will continue and escalate.
Would you allow regular everyday people accost and threaten you so?
Do you make exceptions and exhibit fear for certain people?
“Under suspicion of what crime am I being detained”? (By wording it this way, you put the conversation on establishing the officer’s lawful reason for stopping you. If the officer wants to stated that the crime is “being a person of interest”, then even better since it will make future action on your part all the more easier, providing you stick to the program. No need to argue that it isn't a crime).
“What is your reasonable suspicion?” (if the officer states it, then you might also ask if that is the sole basis of his RS, or if there is anything else to constitute RS.)
“Am I free to go?”
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Be polite, professional, and don't argue or give him an attitude.
This should be all you say.
I wish the kid had kept it simpler than he did: "I am not required to produce ID. Am I being detained? If so, for what offense?" Etc.
Agreed – over-the-top adversary. (That's the journalist, I suppose!) But credit for maintaining his "cool" throughout, for sure.
wooooooooooooooooooooooooooow
USC 18-242
This guy kicks azz
Well these traitors who swore to protect and uphold the Constitution of the US will hang with the rest of them when the time comes. There's always room for more.
It doesn't matter how he worded anything. We all have a right to be left the hell alone unless we are breaking a constitutional law.
The constitution is flawed in its very first word, *We*, because nobody gets to speak for me, period.
I am quite capable of thinking and speaking for myself and reject the notion that others get to force their way on me just because.
I don't treat people like that nor will I accept it.
This is supposed to be a civilized society but its built on a crumbling foundation of theft, lies and assumptions.
Is it any wonder it is failing?
I just wish it would hurry the hell up.
That’s bullshit.
Something similar happened to me some months ago. I showed the pig my ID, but refused to remove it from my wallet, which by law, I’m not required to do. He then informed me he would place me under arrest for “obstructing and hindering” an investigation. When I inquired “what investigation?”, he politely told me “Shut the fuck up. I’m the one asking the questions here.” And yes… I was arrested.
Learn the law people.
Amen.
Smart and big balls! keep it up!
Well done Justine. You need to file a lawsuit against these cops. The video is priceless and if you get it in front of Jury, it will mean a settlement and a lesson for this particular village on how to train Police Officers. How dare the female officer say we don't live in a free country.
You are a true patriot. You did an excellent job. Your disarming approach got the woman officer to admit she doesn't think this is a free country, and then later the other officer. That is the basis of bad cop behavior. Twice so far I've had this situation with police, and my approach is to say absolutely as little as possible so they can't construe I have an "attitude", and have as little to go on as possible. The cops want to do it the hard way, they want to escalate and play mind games, so I don't give them anything.
Thanks for telling them the Benjamin Franklin quote, that made it complete. A++
They just want you to contract in with them. You will do this by agreeing to be the all caps name on your drivers licenses. We are under the UCC. The UCC is the law of commerce. You are made commerce from birth by the all caps of your name. Dont believe me, take a look at all legal documents with your name on it including DL and SS card. The all caps of your name signifies the corporation. They make you a commercial enity from birth to extort from you. Every thing they do to you is contractual. When you show them your dl, you are contracting in with them, by agreeing to the all caps name and thus you will have to agree with their terms, ie fines, fees, extortion. It's all contractual. This is why they no longer call themselves policemen. They now call themselves police "officers" an officer signifies the job title of the corporation they work for. This is why we no longer have constitutional liberties and they know it. The UCC does not recognize the constitution or constitutional liberties. Commerce does not have liberties.
EThe UCC is fraud. The corporations the gov got together and iniated it after 1933 when this country was officially bankrupt. We became the value of this country. Under common law they could only arrest you if you damaged someones property or harmed them. There had to be a copus electi ( a crime committed ) The ucc is statutes and codes not law. There is no law under this system, thus it is fraud. Do not contract in with them.nter text right here!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
VOTE LIBERTARIAN!
The Supreme Court case that ruled you dont have to identify yourself is Brown v. Texas. A great website to visit is George Gordons school of common law radio archives. check it out. He deals with many different constitutional issues from a legal perspective. I took his course years ago and have had nothing but fun ever since in dealing with law enforcement and the courts. check it out!
America a free country? Just can't believe this! I can argue with policemen in Europe and nothing happens.
Arrogant Fat “PIG”! they think the law does not apply to them and they can do what they want. The PIGS use what you don’t know against you, that fat slob new all along he was in the wrong! if you did something wrong he would have been all over you. PIGS wonder why the public hates them, FTP. Go and fight real crime you bloated hamster! Me personally I am anti PIG and Anti Government.