On 28-Aug-2010, Robin wrote:
> Somebody else's purse? I cannot believe that she hasnt learned to do
> that right to remain silent thingy..
A traffic stop like that is one of those rare times when a smart,
knowledeable person might try talking their way out of the situation. As
long as you make it clear that you do not consent to a voluntary search and
that you're only cooperating with the LEO's by their request--and you've got
witnesses--you've sorta got a free pass, because the admissibility of any
statements you make hinges on whether the cops had probable cause for the
stop in the first place. Sorta risky, but some savvy street guys make it
work regularly.
Of course, you say, Hilton's too stupid for that...but she may end up
walking on that argument in court. That is, her defense counsel will argue,
"Even Paris Hilton isn't stupid enough to ask to retrieve lip balm in front
of the police from a purse that she knew contained cocaine." Even lame
explanations like that are often enough to establish reasonable doubt with a
jury. |
