Scottville Roadside Slumberer Illustrates Why You Need to Assert Your Rights

[XLFD]

The latest 'police beat' news report out of the pages of the Mason County Press:

 

 (file photo)

Scottville man arrested after roadside nap

June 30, 2014

VICTORY TWP. — An evening nap alongside the road got a 41-year-old Scottville man arrested early Sunday morning. Deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the intersection of U.S. 31 and Sugar Grove Road at 12:32 a.m. for a report of a person lying alongside the road. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the man was wanted on a warrant from Scottville Police Department for failure to pay fines and costs. The man then spent the rest of his evening lying on a bed at the Mason County Jail.

The poor, unfortunate man whose midnight siesta got him in trouble, could have avoided his overnight stay in the pokey if he remembered to express his rights.  With the bullying aspect of our Mason County Sheriff's Department growing unchecked, however, he may have had to deal with being tasered on the street, taken to the hospital for evaluation and, tasered again while chained to the hospital bed.  But then, he may have finally got enough money to pay off his fines. 

 

The street sleeper once jostled awake by the deputies had every right to refuse to answer questions based on his identification.  Michigan is a state where you do not have to show ID in an investigative detention (particularly when someone is not driving).  He was not suspected of having committed any crime, at least none articulated by the arresting deputies, nor was he even contemplating any crimes unless he was doing it in his dreams.  It is not even a civil infraction to fall down asleep on the right-of-way, though it is unsafe and frowned upon by polite society. 

 

 

So remember, if you choose to snooze near the avenues, and waken to the sight of badges, clear the cobwebs, and stretch your rights to their limits.  Particularly if you owe the local police department some cash, or think there could be something the police might use against you, like those unpaid parking tickets your spouse was responsible for.  Otherwise, you may find yourself served breakfast in bed-- sent through the cell door.

[Jane]

They surely must be proud to get such an absconder of fine payment! Really though, if a person is not educated to know their rights that is a personal responsibility and then to bad for them. I am sure the sheriffs were only looking out for the safety of the public as well as that of someone odd enough to take a nap along a roadside.

What I would say about the man is he should have found somewhere more appropriate to slumber his night away, hell, off to the side in the ditch  or forest out of sight!

And although most fines are garbage meant to enrich the political class, he should have paid them regardless because that is what the noble and moral of us do. Check the new thread, I have a better on for you!

[XLFD]

I'd say there was a fair chance that alcohol may have been involved in the decision of where, when, why and how to sleep for this guy, so he may have felt that the bright police flashlights were from an alien ship and tried to establish contact with them by telling them who he was. 

Poor guy will be strapped with at least a day of jail fees now, so maybe he will take your advice and move further from the road next time, or blame narcolepsy.  It could have been worse; he could have been recovering from a seizure and kicked one of the deputies. 

[Willy]

He at least didn't have to pay for a motel room. A nice cushy jail mattress eased his slumber.