Critical Incident: Police Intervention as Man Races to Hospital
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If you find yourself driving quickly during an emergency, you can encounter a police intervention in an emergency. The police may pull you over or arrest you based on the circumstances. In other situations, even though you are not breaching the law, the police will stop you for emergency road safety. Why does that happen?
Ensuring emergency road safety and upholding traffic rules are two of the police’s responsibilities. But this doesn’t mean they can pull you over for no reason. A while back, police officers stopped a man who was taking his pregnant girlfriend to the hospital, and the police intervention in emergency footage went viral on the internet.
Did the police have a good reason to pull him over? See the complete story below.
Was The Police Intervention in The Emergency Right?
Watch the Police Intervention in Emergency video, and you will see the two officers blocking the emergency room entrance with their cars. Kevin, who was rushing his pregnant girlfriend to the hospital, found the two officers blocking the entrance.
He honked his horn to notify the officers and briefly explained the emergency road safety situation. But one of the officers, Daniels, came out of his car and stopped Kevin in the driveway. And then he demanded his driver’s license. So Kevin told the officer to say to him his offense before asking for his license.
Did Kevin Commit Any Emergency Road Safety Offense?
Attorney Ugo Lord, an expert in legal matters, said that Kevin didn’t commit any crimes. He said there is a legal requirement to show your driver’s license to police officers when they request it.
Kevin was pulled over while on his way to the emergency room. Because he was still on public roads, he was legally obligated to provide it when the officer asked, unless there was no reason for the traffic stop.
As you can see in the video, Kevin was not doing anything wrong except taking his wife to the hospital. So, this means he is not guilty of any emergency road safety crime. And since there is no reasonable suspicion of a crime, he has no reason to provide his license.
What Is the Constitutional Law on Police Intervention in Emergency?
According to the law, a police officer can stop you if they have a reasonable or probable cause. That is, there must be a suspicion of a crime. For example, police can stop you if you are:
- Driving at high speed
- Making wrong turns
- Ignoring traffic lights and signs
- Driving while intoxicated, etc.
However, it is against the law for them to stop you if you follow all the emergency road safety regulations. Thus, they are violating your fundamental human rights. Like in the “Police Intervention in Emergency” video, Kevin did not break any traffic laws; hence, the policeman infringed on his Fourth Amendment rights.
What to Do if You Get a Police Intervention in Emergency
If you have been pulled over by an officer before, you will know it is not a sweet experience. And the best thing for you to do is remain calm and comply with whatever they say. So that you won’t complicate the issue, you should also know your rights so you don’t incriminate yourself. Never try to be rude or fight with an officer of the law.
If they ask you a question, be completely honest in your answers. Also, never provide fake documents, such as driver’s licenses, identity cards, etc. Because it will damage your reputation and worsen your case in court, if you are arrested, get a good lawyer. The police intervention in an emergency situation case will be dismissed once you prove that the officer stopped you without reasonable cause.
What Situation Can I Be Arrested for Not Providing My Driver’s License?
Under California Vehicle Code12951, it is illegal not to provide your driver’s license when law enforcement asks. Under the CVC 12591, you can be fined $250 if you fail to provide your license. Also, prosecutors can charge you with an emergency road safety misdemeanor under CVC 12500. This happens in three situations:
- Have not renewed your driver’s license
- You don’t have a license at all
- You moved to California and got a new permit ten days ago.
The punishment for a misdemeanor charge is $1,000 in fines and six months in prison. Also, driving while your license is suspended is always regarded as a misdemeanor, which carries a $1,000 fine and a maximum of six months in jail.