My run in with the law (long)

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
My run in with the law (long)
20
Wed, 11-14-2007 - 11:45am

OMFG,

I am still shaking!!! Yesterday I made some poor decisions but what I got in return was outrageous. I promised Liam I'd pick him up from school as he's been having a tough time there lately. Roan has a double ear infection and she FINALLY fell asleep in the car when I arrived at the school, hadn't slept all night or that day.

Mistake #1: I didn't want to wake her, but I also didn't want to leave her. I decided (as I'm a freaken' idiot) to park in the disabled spot right outside the school office where I get Liam. This way Roan is right there, I am looking at the car the entire time and anyway we'll be in and out in less that 5 mins. Yeah Right!!!!

A cop showed was writing me a ticket for the parking spot, saw Roan in the car, marched in, yelling for who owned the van. I totally stepped up and said it was me, and then he started yelling at me in front of the whole world (although that doesn't bother me so much, it was his tone, his nastiness and inability to let me answer him civilly). Lets just say I'm not good about being confronted in that manner by anyone, but I really don't do well with male authority figures, especially when they are playing Napolean complex with me.

I said something like "don't go there with me.", (mistake #2) didn't cow tow, but didn't get physical or anything. I tried to walk around him, as obviously he wanted me to get Roan, suddenly I have handcuffs on me and I'm being dragged outside. I was screaming about how I can't leave as my son who has autism, he's on his way etc etc.Then I'm on the curb being berated and barked at again. Yes this is in front of my son's school. I was shaking; I mean full on shock, the kind you see on ER. Btw: he's so concerned for Roan he's still yelling at me and only checks on her after he's called in the info to the dispatcher.

THEN I find out my f'n licence is suspended due to my social security card's name being different from my greencard and licence. No one told me ; apparently they don't have to tell you. I'm trying to tell the bus lady (who is there now) to stop Liam from going on the bus, as obviously I won't be able to make the bus stop in time, I'm still handcuffed and I get another lecture from the cop on everything bad and unholy I've just done. So I'm let off with w $500 fine. I'm not allowed drive, so I have to call dh, who comes to get me. He was FURIOUS when he heard what happened. Called the officer's station, emailed them last night. He says he'll go into the station personally if he doesn't'rt hear back from then.

Listen I made some dumb decisions, I' don't deny it, but I know I didn't deserve to be cuffed and treated the way I was. And he never told me his name, the ticket's signature is a scrawl. In all honestly I knew he was some sort of law enforcement, but there are so many municipalities around here, I couldn't tell you which one he was in until I saw his car pulling away.

When this was all over, I was in pieces, crying, trying to comfort Roan (who of course was now awake), the bus lady got Liam for me, and NO ONE came out to see if I was ok....No ONE. the principal came outside with the officer, looked at me and went back inside. A mother did come up and told me, she herself had left her daughter sleeping in the car while she ran her son in for speech, and it could have happened to anyone. That was nice, but honestly no one from the administration came out. I have always hated the admin in this school, but this proves it. We want Liam out of there anyway. Dh has a meeting with the director of Liam's program tomorrow; we want him moved asap. This just seals it.

I don't deny I made some poor choices yesterday, but I just don't feel this treatment was warranted, kwim?!! Gawd, I'm still raging!!!!

Dee

edited to add: I just noticed my wrists were sore, now I have some faint brusiing, no doubt from the cuffs....ugh.




Edited 11/14/2007 1:08 pm ET by roanmom

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2001
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 7:35am
OMG I dont even know what do say that is just awful!!

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 7:46am
I'm so sorry you went through that.
Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2004
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 8:11am

(((Dee))), Oh my gosh! That is so ridiculous! I can't believe the cop over-reacted that way! I can't believe he handcuffed you! That's insane! I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. It sounds like the cop was waaay more interested in giving you a hard time than he was in Roan still being in the car. If he was so concerned about her, then he shouldn't have wasted time griping you out and handcuffing you in front of everyone. I hope your nerves (and wrists) are feeling better today.

Amy~Natalie & Lily's mom

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2006
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 1:05pm
Ugh, that makes me want to spit.

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Christine

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 2:46pm

Hey Dee,


Wow. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. He definitely should have handled that better. And the administration not even coming out to help or check on you. Lovely bunch.

 

Jen

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 4:14pm

No, the $500 was the max fine for the parking ticket. I have no idea where we are getting the $$ for that as we are in serious financial doo doo right now.

I looked it up and even though GA does have a law about leaving a child in a car, the max fine is $15....yes I said $15....odd!

Dee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2004
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 4:36pm

OMG!!!! I cannot believe this happened to you. You were in a visible distance from your vehicle and your kid. The police officer has no right to do that. Yes, all he can do is ticket you for parking in a disabled spot and that's it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 5:13pm

That really sucks. I had no idea the fine was so excessive. Wow. I'd definitely complain about the rough treatment. There was no need for that. Especially in front of your child's school. Takin' pics of your wrists is a really good idea too. I'll be prayin' for ya. :(


 

Jen

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 11-15-2007 - 7:09pm

Does the school have a survalence camera? I would contact a lawyer and sue the SOB or do you think it might make it worse? Think about the trauma your children suffered witnessing that. Especially your aspie!


Excesive force is totally wrong, and I am sure in some areas of the South (sorry if this is off base or wrong but heck in a lawsuit anything is well game). But could your Irish brogue create more of an issue? Plus the extreme fine.


But just by you raising HOly heck about this officer may may them think twice about doing this to another woman.


I know I have left my kids in the car when I have run into store like 7/11 or the gas station. Or even picking up another child in school. So who knew it was against the law. I can understand the idiots who bake their kids but the normal person would not think to do that.


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2003
Sat, 11-17-2007 - 8:56pm

Dee,


Lord, you must've felt like you'd fallen into some kind of distorted universe!

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