You make the call

[DearAbby]

You are an Arizona police officer, in your reasonable estimation which scenario would you be more likely to ask for further documentation?

1.) Stopped is one Juan Sanchez, he had failed to come to a full stop at a stop sign. When asked for Driver's License, Vehicle Registration and proof of insurance, he complied. Was asked why he was in the area, said he was there to pick up a friend.

2. ) Stopped is one Elizabeth Hawkins, she had jaywalked across the street to the park to go jogging. When asked for her Identification, she informs you, she left identification at her residence. She had fully complied, giving her full name and address.

3.) You see a group of young hispanics, poorly dressed, they are not violating any current laws. They just seem to be laughing and joking with one another on a street corner. Upon seeing the police cruiser, they start walking. You follow them for a short period. They continue walking to a residence a short distance away. They enter the residence.

As an Officer, which above cases would you upon reasonable suspicion, arrest or request a suspect('s) indentification for legal status to be in the United States?

Now:

You are an Arizona citizen, you had just witnessed these interactions with the police officer, would you feel the within reasonable suspicion, the Officer should have sought further indentification Which suspect(s). Would you be likely to sue the Department and Officer for his/her failure to do so?

_______________

Police officers have a difficult job already, why are they asked to do more than should be their responsibility? This law is so wrong. You try placing it within real life...more I tried the more I see this isn't the job of our peace officers. This is the job of the federal government.

[The Damned]

1. I dunno

What does the replay official in the booth have to say?

Leading.

[flvegan]

2. None of the above.

While failing to come to a full stop and jaywalking are "crimes" and in the third scenario, nobody has committed a violation, I'd be more likely to try and go bust a real crim. You know, a predator.

I wouldn't be a cop for long since writing tickets wouldn't be my thing, I guess. I'd rather chase real criminals.

[pitohui]

3. what are you getting at? all of these fine folks would be sent on their way

i don't know what you're trying to say, if i was the leo i would let these folks go on their way -- if i had a quota, i would ticket the guy who ran the stop sign and the jay walker, by giving them a summons not by arresting them & dragging them to the local hoosegaw

the kids who were just out being kids, there's no ticket and no way to make money off that so they're free to go until the first dumb ass cracks open a can of beer on the street and he's 14 ( an actual event on my street, except the kid was white, and suddenly there's 8 police cars!!!!)

as far as lawsuits, you can sue anyone for anything and always could, you don't need a law saying you can sue anyone for anything, you can just do it, try living in louisiana, and you'd be laughing your ass off at these wimps in arizona who needed a LAW written to say they could sue for getting their panties in a knot

[DearAbby]

4. I had been arguing with a couple people

always they came up with, the people would have to have been caught in a crime for an officer, upon reasonable suspicion, to ask for further proof they were legal to be within the country. So I had been coming up with actual crimes, to cause police to interact with people. Which crime would be within reason to demand further indentification?

Granted the third case, no crime had been committed, yet this is the group of people this law was written. I know it, most of America knows it.

[KILL THE WISE ONE]

5. this law will be tied up in the court for years and never go into effect

[Mojeoux]

6. Elizabeth Hawkins, in the dining room, with a light phazer!

What is scary are the cops that are eager to use this law. Police officers who believe it's time to "clean up."