Proof that we are the most litigious society on earth

[The Big Ragu]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/nyregion/18movealong.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Guy gets arrested for for impeding pedestrians in Times Square -- sounds like he was standing on a sidewalk talking to friends, a cop came over and told him to move along because it gets crowded there ... and he acted like an idiot and paid for it with a night in jail on disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges. I agree it is ridiculous to arrest someone for just standing on a sidewalk, and I think this guy should have fought it in a jury trial. But he pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge that should have ended the stupidity ... and still, somehow our overtaxed legal system has wasted two appeals, lord knows what prosecutorial resources and how much money, and has the highest court in the state deliberating over it like it is Marbury vs. Madison.

What is wrong with us?

 

[imjustagirl2]

He should thank his lucky stars it was just a cop and not hockeybeat.

The guy would have been begging for jail if he stopped in front of HB in NYC.

 

[hockeybeat]

He should thank his lucky stars it was just a cop and not hockeybeat.

The guy would have been begging for jail if he stopped in front of HB in NYC.

8)

 

[JR]

They should have charged the cop for being an idiot.

“Isn’t that lawful conduct?” wondered Judge Robert S. Smith. Later he added, “Your conduct can’t be illegal just because an officer noticed it.”

 

[Webster]

If the Court of Appeals didn't want to hear the case, they could have decided it without argument. Happens all of the time, usually with the court affirming the lower court's decision without individual votes or a written opinion. Known as a "per curium affirmed". Obviously, something about this case sparked the interest of the justices or their clerks.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Yeah, the idiot cop sparked their interest.

 

[ThomsonONE]

If you have ever tried to walk through Times Square, you would be cheering this police officer. For every non New Yorker who is coming in to visit, keep in mind that the sidewalks are the equivalent to roads in most other places. You wouldn't stop your car in the middle of a busy street, so please don't stop and block a busy sidewalk.

 

[The Big Ragu]

If you have ever tried to walk through Times Square, you would be cheering this police officer. For every non New Yorker who is coming in to visit, keep in mind that the sidewalks are the equivalent to roads in most other places. You wouldn't stop your car in the middle of a busy street, so please don't stop and block a busy sidewalk.

If you're a New Yorker, your trip from point A to point B doesn't include a stroll through Times Square. What's funny is that this took place at 2 a.m., not at 11 a.m., when those sidewalks might as well have a maze of concrete barriers built into them.

In general, though, I agree with you. I still want to give jgmacg's "sack full of nickels" solution a try one day.

 

[Webster]

Ragu, for people below a cetain age (ours for example), Times Square is the place to congregate. Haven't been there at 2:00 a.m. recently, but I have walked through the area after midnight and it is a freaking zoo of people.

Not sure why the cop couldn't have gotten away without just scaring the crap out of the kid, but I tend to lead on the side of the officer here.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Ragu, for people below a cetain age (ours for example), Times Square is the place to congregate. Haven't been there at 2:00 a.m. recently, but I have walked through the area after midnight and it is a freaking zoo of people.

Not sure why the cop couldn't have gotten away without just scaring the crap out of the kid, but I tend to lead on the side of the officer here.

Webster, You are correct. I prefer to congregate down by the entrance to the Holland Tunnel.

 

[Ace]

I was really expecting a more frivolous waste of time and taxpayers money than someone getting arrested for standing on a sidewalk.

In fact, my disappointment is so keen I just may sue, Ragu.

 

[Webster]

Ragu, for people below a cetain age (ours for example), Times Square is the place to congregate. Haven't been there at 2:00 a.m. recently, but I have walked through the area after midnight and it is a freaking zoo of people.

Not sure why the cop couldn't have gotten away without just scaring the crap out of the kid, but I tend to lead on the side of the officer here.

Webster, You are correct. I prefer to congregate down by the entrance to the Holland Tunnel.

I thought that you hung out on 3rd Avenue just off of the Gowanus, by the docks.

 

[JR]

I was really expecting a more frivolous waste of time and taxpayers money than someone getting arrested for standing on a sidewalk.

In fact, my disappointment is so keen I just may sue, Ragu.

Why don't we sue Ragu for posting this stupid story?

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

People think this lawsuit is clogging the courts, but an idiot cop who busts someone for STANDING IN ONE PLACE is not.
Weird.

 

[JR]

People think this lawsuit is clogging the courts, but an idiot cop who busts someone for STANDING IN ONE PLACE is not.
Weird.

They're cops.

They're always right and must be obeyed.

Not weird.

Symptom of the times.

 

[imjustagirl2]

I've nearly come to blows with stupid people who think the middle of store aisles or walkways are the proper place to have family meetings, or just stop to talk about the cute shirt they just bought.


****ING WALK, OR GET OUT OF MY WAY.

 

[Ace]

People think this lawsuit is clogging the courts, but an idiot cop who busts someone for STANDING IN ONE PLACE is not.
Weird.

You don't understand. PEOPLE HAD TO WALK AROUND HIM!

 

[JR]

I've nearly come to blows with stupid people who think the middle of store aisles or walkways are the proper place to have family meetings, or just stop to talk about the cute shirt they just bought.


****ING WALK, OR GET OUT OF MY WAY.

Not to mention people who STAND on the left hand side of an escalator.

Move to the ****ing right or get walking.

 

[hockeybeat]

****ING WALK, OR GET OUT OF MY WAY.

That's my motto.

 

[Ace]

Really, I don't see the need to arrest the guy. Didn't the cop have a Taser?