Jailed for taking electricity worth 5 cents !

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There's school on Saturday?

Quote:

Kamooneh's son had received tennis lessons at the school for about five weeks when one Saturday last month, the tennis instructor told Kamooneh that he saw someone in his white Nissan Leaf electric car, parked about 35 feet away from the tennis court.

Kamooneh said a Chamblee policeman was inside his car, with one foot outside.


He was warned against trespassing during school hours. Totally cool! That's the rule here, too. Public has access to playground etc after school hours. Sometimes even the lobby is open with a public restroom etc because the administration offices are open, night school is in session, etc.

Saturday != school hours.

This could have been handled so much better. If the cop were quicker thinking he could have told the Leaf owner to unplug the car. If he didn't immediately comply, he could have bagged him for "failure to obey a lawful order."
 
Originally Posted By: TrevorS
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: jrustles
The sad thing about this is that every single person in this thread has committed a crime (likely several) that they have not been punished for.

That's quite likely true. But he's the one who got caught stealing a few cents of electricity and got bagged for it. Others not being caught or punished isn't an excuse for those who are.
wink.gif



Actually it could be if you can demonstrate accepted norms of behavior.

Let's say for example a parent attends an event at the same school and wants to charge their spare camcorder battery. Or a sibling is bored and needs to plug in their iPad. Or a parent is running low on coolant and fills up from a spigot.

If these similar instances can be shown to be generally accepted usage of utilities in public spaces, he may have a case to say he wasn't doing anything different yet there are no investigations and prosecutions of these other incidents.


You're reaching. Using an outlet to charge a car is nowhere near the same as charging a camcorder battery or a iPad.

They are *not* similar.
 
Originally Posted By: jrustles
Originally Posted By: Astro14

Finally, this guy decided to pick a fight...from his own words...and when you pick a fight with the cops, generally, you lose...


But only because the cop can abuse his authority, not because the cop is morally right or has made better judgement-none of that matters at that point, only the authority bestowed upon the cop's own personal judgement is what matters. Why should this guy have to appear before a judge or spend a night in jail? Just because a cop has the authority to force these obligations onto a cilivilian?


Because contempt of cop is a VERY serious charge, often punished with beatings and sometimes summary execution on the spot!

Having seen the officer's report...from that, I would say he is barely literate.
 
Originally Posted By: TrevorS

the officer had no evidence that a crime was in progress.


Was the car being charged at a designated charging station?

It's a rhetorical question. He was on school property charging his car without their permission. Since he did not have their permission to use the outlet, he was...... stealing.

Which under Georgia law is misdemeanor theft. In other words, a crime.

Now as the car was plugged into an outlet that was neither a designated charging station, marked for the recharging of electric cars, or, and this is important, *not* owned by the Leaf driver, thus not costing him anything, just what evidence was needed?
 
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Originally Posted By: Trajan

The tennis courts, which unlike the school is not locked, has nothing to do with anything. He didn't have permission to use their power outlet. Have you ever asked for permission to use a power outlet in a public building? I haven't, and I'd bet neither have most people.

Do you have anything besides the Leaf's owner that the statement was worded the way he claims it was?

Who claims anything was worded that makes him appear a troublemaker? Outside of the owner? The officers statement, for one, as wella s the cheif's statement.

Now for the rest.

The officer didn't need to find the owner of the unlocked vehicle that was stealing electricity. Allegedly stealing electricity. big difference. At this point, the officer had no idea IF anybody was stealing anything. He had a 911 call to go off from, and at this point, I don't think it's been made public WHO made that 911 call. If it wasn't from school administrators - I don't think anybody else would have the authority to claim something was being stolen, do you??

The officer had probable cause. Why? Electricity was being stolen. In other words, a crime was in progress. Again - you don't know that. The officer made an assumption, based ona claim - there was no fact at that point of the investigation if the electricity was being 'stolen' or not.

Spelling? Does not negate the fact a crime was being committed. No, but sets a precident of the intellect of the officer, which conclusions can be drawn about his decision making abilities. I mistpell and created grammar errors often on the internet, but this isn't my job. While at work - it's perfect. See the difference?

So he wasn't arrested at the scene. And, he was arrested afterward. By DeKalb County, not Chamblee.

He had no permission to use the school's outlet. Ever. It has nothing to do with tennis courts. And why keep bringing the coach up? He didn't steal anything. Again - who has? Have you? And why bring the coach up? Because the bigger issue seems to be tresspassing, NOT theft. IF the vehicle owner was tresspassing, there's a good chance the coach was as well, but at this point we don't know. Perhaps the coach often instructs tennis on these courts, with the permissions of the school? At this point, we don't know yet.

Nobody is aware of the value of the theft. First of all, the police do not carry meter readers. Second, obviously the car owner doesn't know either. Especially as he's admitted to doing it5 multiple times. And by the way, how would the cop know how long he's been there? Not relevant anyway. This is really pretty simple math. The charging rate isn't linear, but one can extrapolate that a 15A circuit at 110V is going to output a max of ~1800 watts, which is 1.8KWh. I live not too far from here, and my electrical rate is roughly $0.09/KWh. We can alsoa ssume that a municipality like a school gets a discounted rate, so its reasonable to also assume that if his charging time was 30-60 minutes, that his cost was probably about $.0.10-$0.15.

Handcuffing? That's what they do when you're arrested. And again, where is the proof it was only 5 cents? The car owner? Sure, like he wouldn't lie.... Not everybody is handcuffed. Handcuffing is for restraint of a suspect or convict, and for the safety of the officer. I can be assumed that this suspect posed no physical thread of flight, or to the officer, but we don't know that. The best we can do is to assume it was done to embarass him.

Saying he would do it again? That is what is called an admission of guilt. And since anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...... (Idiot should of kept his mouth shut, but he is arrogant) Not always. There are plenty of times when statements or admissions of guilt before or even after being told ones Miranda rights are striken from court record.

What the chief says about it doesn't really matter. And which one? Marc Johnson, police chief and city manager of Chamblee, said, "Bottom line: if he had just said, 'Sorry I can just unplug,' there wouldn't have been a report."

Revenge? If that was true, it would of happened right away. Instead, he was arrested 11 days later warrant for misdemeanor theft.

In Georgia: Misdemeanor Theft
A theft is a misdemeanor when it involves property with a value of $500.00 or less. There is an exception for Theft by Shoplifting.

It should be noted that for a second misdemeanor theft, there is a mandatory minimum fine of $250. A third such conviction carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 30 days or home confinement of 120 days.

So if the arrogant idiot does it again, that so called 5 cents will get very expensive.





You've make some fairly irrational, and incorrect statements here. I've gone thru and notated the ones I'm noticing quickly in red above. So, after reading thru and notating that - you MUST beleive every person who's ever plugged in an electrical device for non-school purposes is a criminal. Thats not up for discussion, you said it above. Simple logic, and yours is pretty poor.
 
Originally Posted By: KenO
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Originally Posted By: jrustles
Originally Posted By: Astro14

Finally, this guy decided to pick a fight...from his own words...and when you pick a fight with the cops, generally, you lose...


But only because the cop can abuse his authority, not because the cop is morally right or has made better judgement-none of that matters at that point, only the authority bestowed upon the cop's own personal judgement is what matters. Why should this guy have to appear before a judge or spend a night in jail? Just because a cop has the authority to force these obligations onto a cilivilian?



Nope...not the point at all...the Leaf driver could have chosen not to pick a fight, he could have chosen to explain what was going on, he could have chose to avoid confrontation...

It was the Leaf driver's choice.

Call the cops what you like, until you've been one, until you've had to make the kinds of calls that they do every single day, you're really not in a position to judge the cop's action.

But his experience should serve as a lesson - don't act like you're a threat to the cop, just be a polite, reasonable person, and you generally won't have any trouble. I've had lots of interactions with police officers. Sometimes when I am wrong, sometimes when I am right, and I've never managed to antagonize or cause a threat response in the officer with whom I am dealing.

However, if you're looking for a fight, looking for a confrontation, and you decide to look in the direction of a sworn officer of the law, you'll find that confrontation...and you'll lose every time.

But the choice is completely yours...



Since when is speaking to an oficer a 'threat'? I think most of these so-called officers are more threats than the people they're harassing.


The most dangerous street gang in the country is the police.
 
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: KenO
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Originally Posted By: jrustles

But only because the cop can abuse his authority, not because the cop is morally right or has made better judgement-none of that matters at that point, only the authority bestowed upon the cop's own personal judgement is what matters. Why should this guy have to appear before a judge or spend a night in jail? Just because a cop has the authority to force these obligations onto a cilivilian?



Nope...not the point at all...the Leaf driver could have chosen not to pick a fight, he could have chosen to explain what was going on, he could have chose to avoid confrontation...

It was the Leaf driver's choice.

Call the cops what you like, until you've been one, until you've had to make the kinds of calls that they do every single day, you're really not in a position to judge the cop's action.

But his experience should serve as a lesson - don't act like you're a threat to the cop, just be a polite, reasonable person, and you generally won't have any trouble. I've had lots of interactions with police officers. Sometimes when I am wrong, sometimes when I am right, and I've never managed to antagonize or cause a threat response in the officer with whom I am dealing.

However, if you're looking for a fight, looking for a confrontation, and you decide to look in the direction of a sworn officer of the law, you'll find that confrontation...and you'll lose every time.

But the choice is completely yours...



Since when is speaking to an oficer a 'threat'? I think most of these so-called officers are more threats than the people they're harassing.


The most dangerous street gang in the country is the police.



I absolutely agree. It's sad when we're at a point when an officers word is taken over yours in court for no other reason than the officer is an officer. They're peaple, and subject to the same temptations we are.
 
Originally Posted By: KenO
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle

The most dangerous street gang in the country is the police.



I absolutely agree. It's sad when we're at a point when an officers word is taken over yours in court for no other reason than the officer is an officer. They're peaple, and subject to the same temptations we are.


It's not a coincidence that cops react to cameras like cockroaches react to floodlights.
 
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: jrustles
The sad thing about this is that every single person in this thread has committed a crime (likely several) that they have not been punished for.

That's quite likely true. But he's the one who got caught stealing a few cents of electricity and got bagged for it. Others not being caught or punished isn't an excuse for those who are.
wink.gif



Excuse? Who am I, the leaf driver?

Beyond the details and further scrutiny on this man and his life, whether he's done drugs or blown a red light, stolen a candy bar or smoked pot-- WHO CARES? It's when you start looking for things to justify your "psychic" moves there, that you know you're just grabbing at straws to try and justify your professional existence. Slow day for the cop? Another point for the quota? Just felt a little insecure that day and needed to push someone around wielding the sceptre of pedantic technicality?

The damages in this case are beyond a joke: a nickels worth of electrons and a cop & an idiot civilian's pride

My point was this raging hypocrisy, not an excuse. There is nothing that rustles my jimmies quite as much as the attitude of those who get off on apology and contrition; the "yeah, get 'em!" and the "ah ha gotcha!" crowd. The real [richard]s of the world who scream guilty the loudest and who kiss authority butt trying to puff up their own moral esteem like a manipulative sibling trying to look good in front of their parents while trampling on their other sibling--These were probably the same people chanting "fight fight fight" at school- because they want to be entertained by costly acts that costs them nothing. I mean this is just juvenile psychology adapted to adult scenarios and social constructs. It's gross
 
Originally Posted By: javacontour
We don't know if the school told the tennis coach not to be there.


It's a red herring anyway. This tennis coach has nothing to do with the guy committing misdemeanor theft.

So I don't know why it keeps coming up.

Never had problems using the school's fields on the weekends or the summer. The school even opened it's indoor pool during the summer. As long as you didn't vandalize or steal, you were never bothered.
 
Originally Posted By: KenO
Originally Posted By: Trajan

The tennis courts, which unlike the school is not locked, has nothing to do with anything. He didn't have permission to use their power outlet. Have you ever asked for permission to use a power outlet in a public building? I haven't, and I'd bet neither have most people.

Do you have anything besides the Leaf's owner that the statement was worded the way he claims it was?

Who claims anything was worded that makes him appear a troublemaker? Outside of the owner? The officers statement, for one, as wella s the cheif's statement.

Now for the rest.

The officer didn't need to find the owner of the unlocked vehicle that was stealing electricity. Allegedly stealing electricity. big difference. At this point, the officer had no idea IF anybody was stealing anything. He had a 911 call to go off from, and at this point, I don't think it's been made public WHO made that 911 call. If it wasn't from school administrators - I don't think anybody else would have the authority to claim something was being stolen, do you??

The officer had probable cause. Why? Electricity was being stolen. In other words, a crime was in progress. Again - you don't know that. The officer made an assumption, based ona claim - there was no fact at that point of the investigation if the electricity was being 'stolen' or not.

Spelling? Does not negate the fact a crime was being committed. No, but sets a precident of the intellect of the officer, which conclusions can be drawn about his decision making abilities. I mistpell and created grammar errors often on the internet, but this isn't my job. While at work - it's perfect. See the difference?

So he wasn't arrested at the scene. And, he was arrested afterward. By DeKalb County, not Chamblee.

He had no permission to use the school's outlet. Ever. It has nothing to do with tennis courts. And why keep bringing the coach up? He didn't steal anything. Again - who has? Have you? And why bring the coach up? Because the bigger issue seems to be tresspassing, NOT theft. IF the vehicle owner was tresspassing, there's a good chance the coach was as well, but at this point we don't know. Perhaps the coach often instructs tennis on these courts, with the permissions of the school? At this point, we don't know yet.

Nobody is aware of the value of the theft. First of all, the police do not carry meter readers. Second, obviously the car owner doesn't know either. Especially as he's admitted to doing it5 multiple times. And by the way, how would the cop know how long he's been there? Not relevant anyway. This is really pretty simple math. The charging rate isn't linear, but one can extrapolate that a 15A circuit at 110V is going to output a max of ~1800 watts, which is 1.8KWh. I live not too far from here, and my electrical rate is roughly $0.09/KWh. We can alsoa ssume that a municipality like a school gets a discounted rate, so its reasonable to also assume that if his charging time was 30-60 minutes, that his cost was probably about $.0.10-$0.15.

Handcuffing? That's what they do when you're arrested. And again, where is the proof it was only 5 cents? The car owner? Sure, like he wouldn't lie.... Not everybody is handcuffed. Handcuffing is for restraint of a suspect or convict, and for the safety of the officer. I can be assumed that this suspect posed no physical thread of flight, or to the officer, but we don't know that. The best we can do is to assume it was done to embarass him.

Saying he would do it again? That is what is called an admission of guilt. And since anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...... (Idiot should of kept his mouth shut, but he is arrogant) Not always. There are plenty of times when statements or admissions of guilt before or even after being told ones Miranda rights are striken from court record.

What the chief says about it doesn't really matter. And which one? Marc Johnson, police chief and city manager of Chamblee, said, "Bottom line: if he had just said, 'Sorry I can just unplug,' there wouldn't have been a report."

Revenge? If that was true, it would of happened right away. Instead, he was arrested 11 days later warrant for misdemeanor theft.

In Georgia: Misdemeanor Theft
A theft is a misdemeanor when it involves property with a value of $500.00 or less. There is an exception for Theft by Shoplifting.

It should be noted that for a second misdemeanor theft, there is a mandatory minimum fine of $250. A third such conviction carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 30 days or home confinement of 120 days.

So if the arrogant idiot does it again, that so called 5 cents will get very expensive.





You've make some fairly irrational, and incorrect statements here. I've gone thru and notated the ones I'm noticing quickly in red above. So, after reading thru and notating that - you MUST beleive every person who's ever plugged in an electrical device for non-school purposes is a criminal. Thats not up for discussion, you said it above. Simple logic, and yours is pretty poor.


Maybe you should learn to comprehend. From claiming a school is a public building, which it is not, like a city hall is, to equating some guy stealing electricity for his car to someone charging a phone......... Well, you're right, it isn't up for discussion. Until you learn to read an comprehend instead of being emotional.

You attempt is extremely poor. Do better.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Trajan
Originally Posted By: KenO
Originally Posted By: Trajan

The tennis courts, which unlike the school is not locked, has nothing to do with anything. He didn't have permission to use their power outlet. Have you ever asked for permission to use a power outlet in a public building? I haven't, and I'd bet neither have most people.

Do you have anything besides the Leaf's owner that the statement was worded the way he claims it was?

Who claims anything was worded that makes him appear a troublemaker? Outside of the owner? The officers statement, for one, as wella s the cheif's statement.

Now for the rest.

The officer didn't need to find the owner of the unlocked vehicle that was stealing electricity. Allegedly stealing electricity. big difference. At this point, the officer had no idea IF anybody was stealing anything. He had a 911 call to go off from, and at this point, I don't think it's been made public WHO made that 911 call. If it wasn't from school administrators - I don't think anybody else would have the authority to claim something was being stolen, do you??

The officer had probable cause. Why? Electricity was being stolen. In other words, a crime was in progress. Again - you don't know that. The officer made an assumption, based ona claim - there was no fact at that point of the investigation if the electricity was being 'stolen' or not.

Spelling? Does not negate the fact a crime was being committed. No, but sets a precident of the intellect of the officer, which conclusions can be drawn about his decision making abilities. I mistpell and created grammar errors often on the internet, but this isn't my job. While at work - it's perfect. See the difference?

So he wasn't arrested at the scene. And, he was arrested afterward. By DeKalb County, not Chamblee.

He had no permission to use the school's outlet. Ever. It has nothing to do with tennis courts. And why keep bringing the coach up? He didn't steal anything. Again - who has? Have you? And why bring the coach up? Because the bigger issue seems to be tresspassing, NOT theft. IF the vehicle owner was tresspassing, there's a good chance the coach was as well, but at this point we don't know. Perhaps the coach often instructs tennis on these courts, with the permissions of the school? At this point, we don't know yet.

Nobody is aware of the value of the theft. First of all, the police do not carry meter readers. Second, obviously the car owner doesn't know either. Especially as he's admitted to doing it5 multiple times. And by the way, how would the cop know how long he's been there? Not relevant anyway. This is really pretty simple math. The charging rate isn't linear, but one can extrapolate that a 15A circuit at 110V is going to output a max of ~1800 watts, which is 1.8KWh. I live not too far from here, and my electrical rate is roughly $0.09/KWh. We can alsoa ssume that a municipality like a school gets a discounted rate, so its reasonable to also assume that if his charging time was 30-60 minutes, that his cost was probably about $.0.10-$0.15.

Handcuffing? That's what they do when you're arrested. And again, where is the proof it was only 5 cents? The car owner? Sure, like he wouldn't lie.... Not everybody is handcuffed. Handcuffing is for restraint of a suspect or convict, and for the safety of the officer. I can be assumed that this suspect posed no physical thread of flight, or to the officer, but we don't know that. The best we can do is to assume it was done to embarass him.

Saying he would do it again? That is what is called an admission of guilt. And since anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...... (Idiot should of kept his mouth shut, but he is arrogant) Not always. There are plenty of times when statements or admissions of guilt before or even after being told ones Miranda rights are striken from court record.

What the chief says about it doesn't really matter. And which one? Marc Johnson, police chief and city manager of Chamblee, said, "Bottom line: if he had just said, 'Sorry I can just unplug,' there wouldn't have been a report."

Revenge? If that was true, it would of happened right away. Instead, he was arrested 11 days later warrant for misdemeanor theft.

In Georgia: Misdemeanor Theft
A theft is a misdemeanor when it involves property with a value of $500.00 or less. There is an exception for Theft by Shoplifting.

It should be noted that for a second misdemeanor theft, there is a mandatory minimum fine of $250. A third such conviction carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 30 days or home confinement of 120 days.

So if the arrogant idiot does it again, that so called 5 cents will get very expensive.





You've make some fairly irrational, and incorrect statements here. I've gone thru and notated the ones I'm noticing quickly in red above. So, after reading thru and notating that - you MUST beleive every person who's ever plugged in an electrical device for non-school purposes is a criminal. Thats not up for discussion, you said it above. Simple logic, and yours is pretty poor.


Maybe you should learn to comprehend. From claiming a school is a public building, which it is not, like a city hall is, to equating some guy stealing electricity for his car to someone charging a phone......... Well, you're right, it isn't up for discussion. Until you learn to read an comprehend instead of being emotional.

You attempt is extremely poor. Do better.


A school is a public building - hence the term PUBLIC SCHOOL(unless it's a private school, of course). It's built, staffed, and supplied with public funds. Students of the public go there. People of the public use the property, as you stated you have in post #3207949. I'm doing quite well. I can read, and I have comprehended your posts quite well, I'm not sure you can comrehend mine though. You must be the only one using emotion, because I'm certainly not. Just logic, and the facts as they've been demonstrated. You've yet to privide any rebuttal whatsoever to my logical notations of your comments. City hall is also public property, for the same reasons. Anybody can walk into City Hall. The usage limits will be a bit more strict, obviosuly, but it's still absolutely a public building.

And why is charging a cell phone different from charging a car? It's plugged into the same electrical outlet, for quite possibly the same amount of time.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Trajan
The tennis courts, which unlike the school is not locked, has nothing to do with anything. He didn't have permission to use their power outlet.

Do you have anything besides the Leaf's owner that the statement was worded the way he claims it was?

Who claims anything was worded that makes him appear a troublemaker? Outside of the owner?

Now for the rest.

The officer didn't need to find the owner of the unlocked vehicle that was stealing electricity.

The officer had probable cause. Why? Electricity was being stolen. In other words, a crime was in progress.

Spelling? Does not negate the fact a crime was being committed.

So he wasn't arrested at the scene. And, he was arrested afterward. By DeKalb County, not Chamblee.

He had no permission to use the school's outlet. Ever. It has nothing to do with tennis courts. And why keep bringing the coach up? He didn't steal anything.

Nobody is aware of the value of the theft. First of all, the police do not carry meter readers. Second, obviously the car owner doesn't know either. Especially as he's admitted to doing it5 multiple times. And by the way, how would the cop know how long he's been there? Not relevant anyway.

Handcuffing? That's what they do when you're arrested. And again, where is the proof it was only 5 cents? The car owner? Sure, like he wouldn't lie....

Saying he would do it again? That is what is called an admission of guilt. And since anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...... (Idiot should of kept his mouth shut, but he is arrogant)

What the chief says about it doesn't really matter. And which one? Marc Johnson, police chief and city manager of Chamblee, said, "Bottom line: if he had just said, 'Sorry I can just unplug,' there wouldn't have been a report."

Revenge? If that was true, it would of happened right away. Instead, he was arrested 11 days later warrant for misdemeanor theft.

In Georgia: Misdemeanor Theft
A theft is a misdemeanor when it involves property with a value of $500.00 or less. There is an exception for Theft by Shoplifting.

It should be noted that for a second misdemeanor theft, there is a mandatory minimum fine of $250. A third such conviction carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 30 days or home confinement of 120 days.

So if the arrogant idiot does it again, that so called 5 cents will get very expensive.




The police statement said he was asked by the school to ask permission to use the court. The statement also said he previously interfered with the court.

Why were those statements even made when there is no charge related to the tennis court usage? Because they serve to insinuate he was doing more wrong than just stealing power.

I have read the actual statement, I'm not taking the owners word on that. People have already concluded he was on the court when he wasn't supposed to be but that is not proven and not borne out through the charges which were made after consultation with the school.

The officer did not know power was being stolen. He asked the owner if he had permission. Then they investigated with the school. So at the time he entered the car, he did not know power was being stolen.

Spelling indicates the education and intelligence level of the policeman and reinforces that it is quite low. If he hasn't learnt to spell, he likely hasn't learnt proper policing concepts. He didn't think to approach the people in the tennis court who were in plain view to see if they knew anything about the Leaf.

The value of the theft could easily have been established in the intervening days, as it has been by various people, not just the owner.

The value of theft is relevant because it makes a difference between a warning and a charge. If you inflate expenses at work, you might receive a warning. If you try to embezzle your company, you will most likely face charges.

You might handcuff someone who is violent or someone who is resisting arrest, but is there always a need to handcuff?

The main point at issue here is whether 15 hours in jail is reasonable for the suspected crime. Isn't there a more civil way of bringing this case to court? Heck, the school apparently did not press for charges.
 
Originally Posted By: javacontour
We don't know if the school told the tennis coach not to be there.

We do know the school told the vehicle owner not to use the tennis courts due to the problems they indicated they had in the past with him using the courts while school was in session.

So it's possible that only the vehicle owner was trespassing and not the tennis coach. Or at the very least, the school had not told the tennis coach not to use their tennis courts.

But apparently, the school did inform the vehicle owner not to use the courts. Not only did he disregard that legitimate instruction, but he went a step further and decided to charge his car whilst there as well.


Right, we don't know about the tennis coaches right to be there. Good point.

Incorrect re owners right to be there. The school said he requires permission to be there. No indication whether he had permission or not this time. But no charges on trespass have been made and the police spoke to the school during their investigation.

Plus we don't know the nature or seriousness of the previous trouble. The police may have stated it differently to how the school would have. Especially seeing the school did not ban him. They merely told him he needed to ask permission. So they were open to him using the courts. Thus he can't have done something so bad previously.
 
Originally Posted By: Trajan
Originally Posted By: TrevorS
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: jrustles
The sad thing about this is that every single person in this thread has committed a crime (likely several) that they have not been punished for.

That's quite likely true. But he's the one who got caught stealing a few cents of electricity and got bagged for it. Others not being caught or punished isn't an excuse for those who are.
wink.gif



Actually it could be if you can demonstrate accepted norms of behavior.

Let's say for example a parent attends an event at the same school and wants to charge their spare camcorder battery. Or a sibling is bored and needs to plug in their iPad. Or a parent is running low on coolant and fills up from a spigot.

If these similar instances can be shown to be generally accepted usage of utilities in public spaces, he may have a case to say he wasn't doing anything different yet there are no investigations and prosecutions of these other incidents.


You're reaching. Using an outlet to charge a car is nowhere near the same as charging a camcorder battery or a iPad.

They are *not* similar.



Why? Because of the size? So 5c is too much but 2c is ok? But I thought theft is theft no matter the size?
 
Originally Posted By: Trajan
Originally Posted By: TrevorS

the officer had no evidence that a crime was in progress.


Was the car being charged at a designated charging station?

It's a rhetorical question. He was on school property charging his car without their permission. Since he did not have their permission to use the outlet, he was...... stealing.

Which under Georgia law is misdemeanor theft. In other words, a crime.

Now as the car was plugged into an outlet that was neither a designated charging station, marked for the recharging of electric cars, or, and this is important, *not* owned by the Leaf driver, thus not costing him anything, just what evidence was needed?



Why did the policeman ask him if he had permission to charge? Because he didn't know for sure if a crime was being committed.

And after that why did he not arrest him but instead asked the school? Because he still had to establish whether a crime was being committed.

The point is that at the time of entering the car, he did not know for sure a crime was being committed. He had a suspicion but he did not know for sure. He also did not need to enter the car to carry out his investigation.

The police need to act reasonably. They may be allowed to enter or interfere private property if there is a chance of harm or mortal danger but clearly this was not the case here.

Again, if you are happy with the police behaving how they feel like, then just hope they don't misbehave with you one day.
 
Originally Posted By: TrevorS
Originally Posted By: Trajan
Originally Posted By: TrevorS

the officer had no evidence that a crime was in progress.


Was the car being charged at a designated charging station?

It's a rhetorical question. He was on school property charging his car without their permission. Since he did not have their permission to use the outlet, he was...... stealing.

Which under Georgia law is misdemeanor theft. In other words, a crime.

Now as the car was plugged into an outlet that was neither a designated charging station, marked for the recharging of electric cars, or, and this is important, *not* owned by the Leaf driver, thus not costing him anything, just what evidence was needed?



Why did the policeman ask him if he had permission to charge? Because he didn't know for sure if a crime was being committed.

Nope. Same reason a traffic cop will ask you if you know why you got pulled over.

And after that why did he not arrest him but instead asked the school? Because he still had to establish whether a crime was being committed.

You'll have to ask the cop. Maybe on the off chance that the guy actually had permission. The fact that he didn't is why he was arrested 11 days later. So why was he arrested again?

The point is that at the time of entering the car, he did not know for sure a crime was being committed. He had a suspicion but he did not know for sure. He also did not need to enter the car to carry out his investigation.

Which is all he needs. An unlocked vehicle, not in a parking spot, not on private property. Reasonable suspicion is legal.

The police need to act reasonably. They may be allowed to enter or interfere private property if there is a chance of harm or mortal danger but clearly this was not the case here.

Again, reasonable suspicion/probable cause. Again, an unlocked vehicle, unattended, next to a school. Do I really have to spell it out?

Again, if you are happy with the police behaving how they feel like, then just hope they don't misbehave with you one day.


You have no legal basis for your arguments. You're going on emotion. And the law does not work on emotion.

Never, ever, had a problem with them. Not when I broke traffic laws, not when I pulled a weapon to stop some fool from attacking me.

I've been pulled over because I was a block away form a 7/11 that got robbed. It was a quick look, I wasn't who they were looking for. I've been subject to random DUI checkpoints. Do I get upset? No. They're doing their job.

Many of you are funny. You complain of how the police are a street gang, then whine to the heavens when they don't handle some problem they really have no business dealing with. Or when you get caught breaking a law that you think shouldn't be.
 
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Originally Posted By: TrevorS
Actually it could be if you can demonstrate accepted norms of behavior.

Find the case law on that. It might help at sentencing, but it doesn't affect a finding of guilt.

But, your examples are accepted norms of behaviour. I don't think this behaviour is going to be the accepted norm. You see how it was mentioned in this thread already that some parking lots at stores in Winnipeg (and other Canadian cities) have outlets to allow shoppers to plug in their block heaters in winter? What do you think is going to happen to those if electric cars somehow and suddenly become the norm? Free fuel? I highly doubt it.

It's already understood that it's for block heaters only, not block heaters plus a battery blanket plus an interior car warmer plus an oil pan heater plus a coolant recirculating heater.
 
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: TrevorS
Actually it could be if you can demonstrate accepted norms of behavior.

Find the case law on that. It might help at sentencing, but it doesn't affect a finding of guilt.

But, your examples are accepted norms of behaviour. I don't think this behaviour is going to be the accepted norm. You see how it was mentioned in this thread already that some parking lots at stores in Winnipeg (and other Canadian cities) have outlets to allow shoppers to plug in their block heaters in winter? What do you think is going to happen to those if electric cars somehow and suddenly become the norm? Free fuel? I highly doubt it.

It's already understood that it's for block heaters only, not block heaters plus a battery blanket plus an interior car warmer plus an oil pan heater plus a coolant recirculating heater.


But if someone did, then should they be arrested and held for 15 hours and receive a court date, or should they receive a warning, followed by a ban, followed by police intervention.

How is it right that the first instance, with a cost of 5c, leads to arrest, 15 hours in jail, a court date and unlawful entry into his vehicle.

Why are so many willing to so quickly criminalize and justify jail for this person?
 
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