I'm having an online discussion (which I am trying to keep civil) with a group of people who claim that the police in California have the right to pepper spray anyone who does not obey a police order. How in the world can this be true? I'm not a lawyer - but my gut tells me that there has to be case law to the contrary. Help me out!
posted by dirtmonster on Nov 20, 2011 - 18 answers

This morning I was hit by a bus while cycling to work. I'm not badly hurt but currently in hospital waiting to have my shoulder checked and cuts cleaned out. I'm in London, England. The bus driver was 100% to blame. The police have taken a statement from me and I have two phone numbers from witnesses. What should I be doing now to make sure I receive adequate compensation and the driver is dealt with appropriately?
posted by ascullion on Jun 13, 2011 - 12 answers

My wife went to the pharmacy to purchase Zyrtec-D and the pharmacy called the police. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 22, 2010 - 52 answers

Is the fact that someone looks young legally enough reason to pull them over? [more inside]
posted by chris p on Jun 21, 2010 - 16 answers

Several times while out in busy nightlife areas in New York, I've passed random dudes on the street who offer to sell me (and every other passer-by) a whole smorgasbord of drugs, totally unprompted. I've never been remotely tempted to buy, but I'm curious how this works from a legal standpoint. How do these guys not get busted? [more inside]
posted by decoherence on Feb 28, 2010 - 33 answers

Some legal questions about the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. [more inside]
posted by zardoz on Jul 27, 2009 - 16 answers

What should I do about a threatening letter, both personally and legally? [more inside]
posted by malusmoriendumest on Sep 27, 2008 - 16 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

I got an extremely expensive traffic ticket (my first! and $632!) for doing 97 in a 75 on a lonely stretch of road outside of Lovelock, Nevada. I paid the ticket, and asked the court (and the ticketing officer, at that point) about traffic school; they both said that the points wouldn't transfer to California or go on my record, but as far as traffic school to lower insurance went, it was between me and my insurance company, and they'd get in touch with me. However, can't I do something pre-emptively to keep this from going on my insurance record? Or am I screwed? I paid the fine in mid-June, just before it was due (took a little while to save the money); the ticket was issued in mid-May.
posted by luriete on Jul 11, 2006 - 26 answers