NYC 'Task Force' - wrongful arrest?

[rgury]

This is non-moto related, but was hoping to get some advice from you all.

Two days ago a 'task force' pulled my girl over around houston & C.  (Right by entrance ramp to FDR) She did her best to explain what went down, I'll be as specific as I can.

Apparently they have some sort of automated visual scanning device, which is new to my ears.  It reads plates and runs them through a database quickly via OCR.  She was pulled over, cuffed, searched and sent to jail for an hour or two before release.  The whole scene was a lot for her...  they had to park her car, she had bruises from the cuffs, they made her wait as a couple hundred cars passed with her standing in cuffs, she had to sit in a jail cell for a couple of hours.

Apparently there was an error, something with policy numbers, etc.  We just got off the phone with our insurance company, there was never a gap.

My question, what kind of lawyer do I hire?  Should I call Corey Raskob?  (He does me well with the moto-speeding troubles. )  Also, if this is the fault of NYC, does this count as a wrongful arrest?

Thank DMW, NYC.
Ryan

[Desmostro]

Good luck man, that is no joke.
An hour in cuffs is enough to send someone into depression especially when they haven't done anything wrong.
Then add jail cell. That sucks. 

I've got no advise, but I hope you pursue it. This new hi-tech. gestapo bull needs to end before it gets totally out of hand.

[rockaduc]

Off the top of my head, I woul dsay to use the guy you currently use.  Others may have more valuable insight.  THis totally sucks and I am very sad to hear about it.  I hope it resolves to your satisfaction.  Please keep us posted as others my fall victim to this BS as well.

[Howie]

Sorry to hear this tale.  Do you wish to make a civilian complaint or sue?  You probably shouldn't answer that on this board, you can PM me.  Oh, I'm neither a lawyer or a legal expert.  I would at least file a complaint so there is a record.  You may want to write your local Council Member and the council Member in that district (Rosie Mendez).
 
You might also want to join us over at the NYC Motorcycle Advocacy Group    http://www.nycmag.org   and check out "Jane's Legal Corner: Know Your Rights!"

[He Man]

By law the cops can detain you without reason for 48 hours i think. and here they had a reason, it was just a mistake, and it was under 48 hours.

Also, this might get locked just because you are talking about cops, so if it does, just head over to suspectsunlimited.com and ask there.

[Pakhan]

I would suggest not talking too much detail about your situation anymore for your own "just in case".  As far as a lawyer, I wouldn't use your ticket fighting lawyer.  Research and find a lawyer that specifically deals with and has extensive knowledge of NYPD misconduct.  They will probably be able to give you the best understanding of the situation and where it can go (if anywhere) before doing or paying anything major.

Goodluck. 

[HuDuc]

I had a similar situation where I was held and released. As I said similar but different circumstances. My advice contact a lawyer that knows these types of cases. It was humiliating getting fingerprinted and sent down to detention to be put into a holding cell with 50+ guys and released 12 hrs later; they escorted me thru this hall and released me to the street while telling me the DA did not want to pursue...BS they were afraid that I was going to sue. send me a message and I will give you a phone number.

[Pakhan]

Can we get an update on this?  Of course without you revealing too much or compromising your case.

[Got Duc]

Apparently they have some sort of automated visual scanning device, which is new to my ears.  It reads plates and runs them through a database quickly via OCR.  She was pulled over, cuffed, searched and sent to jail for an hour or two before release.  The whole scene was a lot for her...  they had to park her car, she had bruises from the cuffs, they made her wait as a couple hundred cars passed with her standing in cuffs, she had to sit in a jail cell for a couple of hours.

Apparently there was an error, something with policy numbers, etc.  We just got off the phone with our insurance company, there was never a gap.

The device you are refering to is called a plate reader. It is a pretty cool device and is now being used all over the state. It runs a check on plates agaisnt a file. It checks for suspended registration, suspended license, suspended insurance, stolen cars. It can also be used for pedophiles and the device records ever single car that goes by it.

As for insurance. In order for your plates to be suspended the INSURANCE company has to notify DMV that there has been a lapse in coverage. So you all know in NY the insurance companies report you to the DMV as soon as you are late on a payment. You might or might not be aware of this and many people do not find out until you are being pulled over and the officer runs your plate.

[mdriver]

The device you are refering to is called a plate reader. It is a pretty cool device and is now being used all over the state.

I don't think that sounds cool at all.