What happens if an arresting officer records your conversation with the public defender? [more inside]
posted by doomtop on Oct 8, 2009 - 14 answers

I'm looking to rent a fake cop car for a quick, no-budget film shoot. My question is, how the hell do I transport it without getting pulled over for impersonating an officer or getting similar attention from law enforcement? [more inside]
posted by ambulance blues on Aug 16, 2009 - 5 answers

I got pulled over by a cop. I wasn't speeding, nor was I driving erratically. P.S - My passenger was standing up with his torso out of the sunroof. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 27, 2009 - 16 answers

I'm almost certain these tickets are not worth fighting but who knows, maybe there's something I could do? [more inside]
posted by BrnP84 on Apr 22, 2009 - 21 answers

Why do prostitutes go to street corners? [more inside]
posted by sixcolors on Mar 8, 2009 - 30 answers

Someone took my keys at party, crashed my car, and abandoned it. I found out who did it. Now what? [more inside]
posted by ad4pt on Jan 22, 2009 - 26 answers

Why is it that any portrayal of police officers in movies, or television always include a love for donuts? [more inside]
posted by lifeonholidae on Oct 30, 2008 - 23 answers

On TV shows like COPS, what gives the cameraman standing to enter a private citizen's home? [more inside]
posted by fogster on Sep 7, 2008 - 10 answers

I got a speeding ticket, but there was a car next to me that was speeding, while I was not. What is the likelihood that I can argue this in court? [more inside]
posted by kraigory on Jul 21, 2008 - 37 answers

Question about police rank when it comes to the traffic beat. [more inside]
posted by wowbobwow on Jun 11, 2008 - 16 answers

Help me identify this Post Modern cultural theory. Prime example: cops on the TV show COPS act differently than they normally would, since they're being filmed for TV. Kids watch COPS thinking that's what cops actually are like. Kids eventually grow up and be cops themselves, emulating cops-on-TV, not "true" cops. [more inside]
posted by nemoorange on Apr 21, 2008 - 18 answers

Help me fight a traffic ticket. :( [more inside]
posted by GrooveStix on Feb 13, 2008 - 24 answers

On The Wire, how many of the cops have fired their weapons at someone? [more inside]
posted by The Radish on Feb 7, 2008 - 15 answers

What are the legal ramifications for the crew members (camerapeople, producers, etc.) of a show like Intervention when the "stars" do illegal things? [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Jan 22, 2008 - 16 answers

Which cinematographs or televisual serials most faithfully depict the operations of police or detectives?
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 on May 29, 2007 - 25 answers

About a month ago I happened to be outside my house in Queens at about midnight. I saw what looked like a cop car with license plate reading cameras drive by. Anyone have more info? [more inside]
posted by Skorgu on May 1, 2007 - 7 answers

What's the likelihood I will get a speeding ticket? [more inside]
posted by tdischino on Apr 6, 2007 - 25 answers

How do I get the State Troopers to stop calling and begging for money? [more inside]
posted by BeerFilter on Mar 8, 2007 - 22 answers

I had an unfortunate run-in with the police last night. Yes, I admit it, I took a picture of them. Should I talk to a lawyer (I wasn't charged with anything) or should I just let it slide? [more inside]
posted by shinybeast on Jan 24, 2007 - 26 answers

Do truckers ever get paid a bonus for reporting bad drivers to the police? [more inside]
posted by Roach on Jan 5, 2007 - 6 answers

when a foreigner goes through customs, their fingerprints and other details are being stored. who has access to all the information? [more inside]
posted by krautland on Dec 10, 2006 - 4 answers

Legally speaking, how do shows like NBC's "Dateline: To Catch a Predator" or COPS deal with broadcasting the faces of as yet unconvicted suspects? [more inside]
posted by StopMakingSense on Dec 7, 2006 - 23 answers

What's the significance of having a front license plate with a black background and a single, wide, horizontal blue stripe? [more inside]
posted by santry on Nov 6, 2006 - 7 answers

Are police officers (specifically California Highway Patrol) allowed to carry chicks in their cars? [more inside]
posted by rhizome on Oct 7, 2006 - 22 answers

You know those "Speed Checked By Aircraft" highway signs? I always use those as guide to knowing when there are no cops around whatsoever. But it got me to thinking: if there were in fact such aircraft COULD they check our car speed with radar? Is such a thing even possible?
posted by rileyray3000 on Sep 28, 2006 - 28 answers

Police procedure filter: If you're a police officer (sworn, U.S. law enforcement), can you just run whatever license plates and/or I.D.s you want? Does it leave a paper trail of some sort? [more inside]
posted by scaryblackdeath on Sep 26, 2006 - 21 answers

What are the legal and social ramifications of a Private Police Force in the USA? [more inside]
posted by longbaugh on Jun 8, 2006 - 20 answers

A friend was recently fired from a job and took an expensive piece of company equipment with her (laptop) and has not returned it. The boss is calling this grand theft and is planning on calling the cops. If the cops go over there what can they really do? Can the company sue her over the laptop?
posted by josher71 on Mar 7, 2006 - 52 answers

Whenever I watch a show like cops, I notice that the police always seem to know what direction they are headed (ex. "suspect is heading east on franklin, turned north on vine"). Even when they are on foot they call out directions on their handheld radios. I don't see them with a compass. So how do they know what direction they are going?
posted by vronsky on Feb 26, 2005 - 26 answers

After catching a couple of back-to-back Cops reruns (the Mardi Gras edition complete with drunks and flashers of all sorts) I have to ask-WHY do these individuals give permission to show video evidence of probably one of the most embarrasing moments of their lives? Or do the producers of the show not have to get their permission?
posted by konolia on Jan 3, 2005 - 17 answers

Legal question time! I hosted a party, and I was charged with Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor, section ORS 471.410, Oregon Law. Problem is, I am not 21. More inside. (Note: Any advice will not be referred as legal guidance.) [more inside]
posted by Keyser Soze on May 3, 2004 - 64 answers