I was falsely arrested when I was 18. I had never been to jail, never been suspended. I was a good student in school. But about a yr ago I was arrested for side swiping another car after my power steering went out. As I pulled off to the side of the road, (as I was on the far left to turn) I wait for an officer to arrive for 2 hours. 2 hours go by one officer comes up off duty and (African American) he ask if we need help. We decline. Just waiting for an on duty officer. So finally the on duty cop pulls up. He was an ASSSSSS HOOOOLE. I'm black and 18 at the time. I don't know much about anything. So this officer decides he wants to arrest me and charge me 11 times with multiple counts of ... I was charged for leaving the scene after I pulled to the side to get out of traffic. I was charged for driving to fast on a highway. (It wasn't a highway) I was charged for driving to slow. Charged for following to closely. He wouldn't know though. He wasn't there. I was charged for failure to give insurance when he clearly had it in his hand. He told me if I was lying about anything he would charge me with 3 more counts. I was charged with lying to an officer. After waiting TWO hours for him to get there. Who has to lie? I was charged with plenty more. But that's just some of the bs. The officer took my phone, cursed at me, impounded my car took me to jail and there I waited. I went 32 hours with no sleep. No food and dying from loneliness. I was 18. Never been alone. In holding with REAL criminals. When the commissioner saw the charges she called bs. The arresting officer even told the correctional officers to tell someone (the commissioner) not to give me bail. I went to court for 6 months fighting this. Had two lawyers. And for every court date the cop NEVER SHOWED UP. I was young and scared that my life would be over all because of an accident. I was looking at 1 year and 6 months. Before I could go to trial, the judge dismissed all charges. Lack of evidence, officer never showing up. No witnesses. And the vehicle I side swiped was damaged before hand with its side mirror and right fender hanging and duct taped up. As of today I've still never been pulled over. But I have extreme anxiety when a cop follows me which leads to these major anxiety attacks. Everyone should be aware of there rights.
