Taco Bell Picnic Bench
"...the individual's right to
go about his business or
to stay put and remain silent
in the face of police questioning."
-- Supreme Court Case: 528 U. S. 119, 125
(2000)
David String buys 3 Tacos and a soda pop
at Taco Bell in Glasboro, New Jersey USA.
David String is observed by
Glassboro NJ Patrolman Christopher B. Herner #960
who was traveling through the Taco Bell Parking Lot
-- and who calls Patrolman J. Jones for back-up.
Glassboro NJ Patrolman J. Jones #962 arrives
at the Taco Bell Parking Lot as back-up.
David String sits down with his tacos at the Taco Bell Picnic Bench.
David String is yet to take a bite of his tacos or sip his soda pop.
Glassboro NJ Patrolman J. Jones #962
Glassboro NJ Patrolman Christopher B. Herner #960-- Tell David String to leave the Taco Bell Picnic Bench.
-- David is told he has 5 seconds to leave: 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1David String does not comply.
David String is arrested, handcuffed and put in a police car.David String has his wallet taken from his pocket by police officers.
David String has a valid NJ boating license in his wallet.
Thus, David String has provided the police officers
with identity information.Police Officers take David's 3 tacos in a Taco Bell paper bag to the police station, and leave David's soda pop behind at the Taco Bell Picnic Bench.
David String is driven to the Glassboro Police station.
In Custody at the Glassboro Police Station:
David String is told by the police officers he has the right to remain silent.David String remains quiet, pretty much, while in police custody.
Glassboro NJ Patrolman J. Jones #962 asks David a lot of questions.David String still remains quiet, pretty much, while in police custody.
David String is put in a jail cell.
David String released at about 8:30 AM in the morning.
Glassboro NJ Patrolman Christopher B. Herner #960
-- Types up a Supplemental Police Report dated July 31, 2004
Glassboro NJ Patrolman J. Jones #962
-- Prepares a handwritten Police Report dated July 31, 2004
Glassboro NJ Patrolman J. Jones #962
-- Charged David String with "Obstruction Of Justice" for not providing identity information while in police custody at the Glassboro station -- despite the fact that David String's valid NJ boating license was in the hands of the police officers at that time.
Glassboro NJ Patrolman J. Jones #962
Prepared a typewritten Summons and Complaint form that includes identity information for David String -- Name, Date of Birth, Address, etc. -- that is most likely based on the valid NJ Boating License "provided" by David String.
However:
Glassboro NJ Patrolman J. Jones #962 states on the Summons and Complaint form that David String"refused to provide information as to his identity such as name, DOB [date of birth], SSN [Social Security Number], address, and did refuse to follow specific instructions by PTL [Patrolman] Jones while processing the arrest at Glasboro HQ [Police Headquarters] this in violation of NJS 2C-29-1A [Obstruction of Justice]."
"Specific Instructions" are not explained on the Summons and Complaint form, but may refer to a possible request by Patrolman J. Jones #962 for David String to fill out a police report form.
Patrolman Herner | Police Report |
SUMMONS & COMPLAINT
Complaint NJS 2C-29-1A
Summons To Appear on 08/23/2004
Police Case No. 0400022563
David String is given a Taco Bell paper bag with his by now much older and still not eaten tacos inside, and is free to go home. No soda pop.
Pro Per Inc. starts up web site for David String
-- Taco Bell Picnic Bench.com
-- Police reports and related documents are posted on the site
David String to seek an attorney to represent him in court
David String
First Court Appearance: August 23, 2004
Glassboro Municipal Court in Glassboro NJ
Judge: J. R. Powell
Prosecutor: Timothy Chell, Esq.
Public Defender: Scott Burns
Tel: 856-881-0383 | Fax: 856-881-8253
Site: glassboroonline.com/court.htm |
David String talks with Prosecutor and asks that the charges be dropped.
Prosecutor acts as though David's request is out of the question.
David String talks with Public Defender in the Courthouse Parking lot.
Public Defender tells David String the Court will find him guilty of something.
Public Defender suggests that if David String pleads guilty to a "beer breath" citation -- backed up by no valid evidence, just police officer opinion and comments in the 2 written police reports, he may be able to have the "Obstruction of Justice" charge dismissed.
David String intends to plead not guilty, and demand a trial by jury.
The Court will send a notice by mail for the next appearance date.
David String contacts an attorney who is willing to represent him.September 10, 2004
Attorney for David String confirms that the next court appearanceOctober 25, 2004
has been moved forward from Monday October 4, 2004
Next court date set for Monday, October 25, 2004
Court AppearanceDecember 13, 2004
Next court date set for Monday, December 13, 2004
Next court appearance
