Illinois State Trooper Flips Out On Motorist For Defending His Rights During Checkpoint Search [View all]

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http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/09/22/illinois-state-trooper-flips-out-on-motorist-for-defending-his-rights-during-checkpoint-search-video/

Ryan Scott keeps a video camera on the dash of his vehicle, and it’s a good thing he did, too, or the state troopers who stopped him probably would have done more than what they did to him.

During a checkpoint stop in DeKalb, Illinois, in which state police officers were looking for unsafe drivers, Scott rolled his window down an inch and came to a stop. He had his seat belt on and didn’t appear to have done anything wrong that could be considered unsafe in the eyes of law enforcement.

An Illinois state trooper approaches the vehicle and Scott asks the officer what’s going on. He informs the officer that he is being recorded via video camera. The officer didn’t have a problem with being filmed. Scott then asks if he has done anything wrong and if he is being detained. The trooper responds by saying Scott isn’t being detained but he’s not free to leave either. In other words, he’s being detained for no reason and Scott informs the officer that his constitutional rights are being violated.

The discussion between Scott and the officer seems to be quite civil, however, another trooper steps in and causes trouble. The second unnamed officer forcefully opens the door of Scott’s car and begins yelling at him to get out of the car. He tells Scott that “driving is a privilege, not a right” and demands to see his driver’s license and insurance. As Scott is accused of resisting, he hands over his license but refuses to answer when asked what his address is by invoking his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and says he doesn’t have to talk to the police without an attorney present. Scott then informs the irate officer that he’s being recorded and the officer responds, “Good!” The trooper gives back Scott’s license and insurance and he is allowed to finally drive away.

More at link.