Cheating death and fighting communism: that is how a fellow officer once described our job. It was meant to be funny, but as time went on it seemed all too true.
I spent more than ten years in law enforcement, all of it on the street in uniform patrol. I've been a patrol officer, instructor, sergeant and lieutenant.
Do not report crimes here. Nothing here should be considered legal advice. All opinions are my own.
Thanks for the question. This has been addressed twice before, so to save a little time, here is one of the answers from above:
"In what context? If an officer is taking enforcement action, then at a reasonable time he or she should identify him- or herself in a reasonable manner. That will likely include a badge and ID card.
If someone knocks on your door and asks to speak with you it is certainly reasonable to request to see identification. Call the local law enforcement agency and confirm the officer's identity if you have any doubts.
Asking an officer to show you his or her badge in the middle of a fight, chase or in the middle of some other dangerous situation might not be feasible. It is all situationally dependent. Unfortunately, everone looks for a simple black and white answer, but life's not that easy. Reasonableness is the key to everything."
You didn't mention if you were speeding. I'd suggest paying the ticket if you were. Other people were speeding worse than I was doesn't generate much sympathy from a judge.
If the trooper was using laser, then you were definitely the person he measured going whatever speed was on the citation. If he/she was using radar, there could be some doubt that an experienced traffic attorney could bring up in trial.
The above is not legal advice, of course.
Did you know that speed is the #1 contributing factor to traffic fatalities?
You can get out and help the police officer. Sitting in the car while an injured police officer is laying in a lane of traffic is unconscionable.
Homicide investigators attend specialized training in investigations techniques, interviewing techniques and specialized classes on just death investigations. They also have a great deal of experience as a street cop and general investigator prior to being promoted to homicides. Once in homicides, a new investigator will be paired with a more experienced detective who will guide the on-the-job training.
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Every state uses different terminology. If you are talking about a domestic violence situation, it will likely be called an 'temporary protection order' or something very similar to it. I'd suggest contacting a victim advocate in the jurisdiction where your novel is taking place.
(see second part of this question)
You should contact a criminal defense attorney in that state. Just because you see something as the "right" thing, doesn't mean there isn't the potential of having criminal charges filed against you.
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