By S.P. Sullivan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on May 05, 2016 at 7:00 AM, updated May 05, 2016 at 8:49 AM
TRENTON — Two New Jersey state troopers cuffed a woman along a Warren County roadway and hauled her in on an obstruction charge because she refused to answer questions during a routine traffic stop, according to dashboard camera footage obtained by NJ Advance Media.
The Oct. 16 incident, which happened near the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border on Route 519, is now the subject of a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the woman, Rebecca Musarra, an attorney from Philadelphia.
Musarra claims in the suit the troopers violated basic rules familiar to anybody who’s ever watched a police show on TV, including the right to remain silent.
She claims at least three troopers insisted during the ordeal that her refusal to answer questions was a criminal act.
So I guess that any driver who Is deaf and/or speech impaired who gets pulled over will have to be arrested?
These cops are complete idiots and should not be allowed to do their jobs for failing to understand such fundamental aspects of their job.
I would bet that a mute person has a way of signaling the situation to someone trying to talk to him/her.
As long as you comply with the officer you don’t need to speak.
License and registration, and here is your ticket.
Transaction complete
Rebecca Musarra lists the following on her LinkedIn Page:
Her ONLY listed Interest
“Civil Litigation”
FYI:
Civil litigation is a legal dispute between two or more parties that seek money damages or specific performance rather than criminal sanctions.
Her ONLY Listed “Volunteer Experience & Causes
Attorney for Juvenile Immigrants
Pro Bono Representation
April 2015 – Present (1 year 2 months)Civil Rights and Social Action
This was probably a planned action to push an agenda or get monetary damages or embarrass the police
FWIW, she’s not a licensed attorney in NJ
It’s the same problem that gets so many cops into trouble. It’s a case of their ego and pride getting the better of them. At least someone wasn’t shot. We the taxpayers will be on the hook once again in.resolving this by compensating the driver.
Its the same problem of an anti-cop knee-jerk reaction without finding out the facts liberal. It’s a case of their ego and pride getting the better of them. At least some agenda driven social engineering agitator will get her day in court. We the taxpayers will be on the hook once again in resolving this by compensating the professional victim and agitator.
WOW 6:17 “At least someone wasn’t shot”your a little over the top with that.
Even if it was agenda driven, this was basic police academy stuff. These cops clearly don’t know the basics of their powers.
Outside of her now looking like a lawyer who could use the business, what was wrong with her just answering the original question ?
I go out of my way to defend the actions of police officers in social situations. It’s a stressful job with the need for split second decision making. However, in this particular case, I cannot defend the officers. They were completely incorrect in such a basic rule of law. She complied with the law completely and only refused to answer the question of “Do you know why you were pulled over”. If anyone can tell me why not answering this question was obstructing the officer, I’m all ears.