Presumed dangerous until naked
Apr 3, 2012, 8:14 AM | Updated: 8:16 am
We’re looking at Supreme court decisions, to see which way the wind blows in anticipation of the health care ruling. So here’s one, the case of Albert Florence, arrested during a traffic stop in New Jersey.
“The trooper asked me for my driver’s license and I gave it to him, he said, ‘Sir, you’re under arrest,'” said Florence.
He had a warrant out for a failing to pay a $1500 fine for obstructing justice. But it turns out he had PAID the fine. Someone didn’t update the computer. The cop didn’t know that.
“I was arrested right there in front of my pregnant wife and my 4-year-old son,” said Florence.
And Mr. Florence went to jail, was strip searched, locked up for six days, transferred to another jail, strip searched again.
“Lift both hands up, turn around, squat, manipulate my genitals, stick my tongue out, cough, even thinking about it, even speaking about it, still brings me chills.”
He was released when the cops realized the mistake, but he felt humiliated, and sued, saying the searches were unreasonable, and unconstitutional.
And on Monday the Supreme Court ruled sorry, perfectly legal.
Sure it was just a fine, but the jail people don’t know who you are! Remember Timothy McVeigh? The Oklahoma bomber? He was arrested for not having a license plate, but no one would NOT strip search Timothy McVeigh! So by a five-four vote, the law of the land is whether you’re a terrorist, or just a regular guy arrested by mistake, they can strip you and make you spread ’em.
Does this offer any clues to the decision on health care? I don’t know. But if the court does uphold that law, I would advise you not to skip out on the fine for not having insurance.
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