WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
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> Copper Stopper Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > The law backs the officer's arrest of Gates.
> > Please stop spreading your misinformation.
>
> From the Massachusetts law...
>
>
> b) Disorderly persons and disturbers of the peace,
> for the first offense, may be subject to a civil
> fine of $150 and shall not be subject to
> apprehension pursuant to section 54 of this
> chapter. On a second or subsequent offense, said
> person may be punished by imprisonment in a jail
> or house of correction for not more than 6 months,
> or by a fine of not more than $200, or by both
> such fine and imprisonment.
>
>
> Chapter 272: Section 54. Apprehension for certain
> offences, without warrant; custody
>
> Section 54. Whoever is found in a public way or
> other public place, committing any offence or
> disorder set forth in sections fifty-three and
> fifty-three A, may be apprehended by a sheriff,
> deputy sheriff, constable or police officer or by
> any other person by the order of a magistrate or
> any of said officers, without a warrant and be
> kept in custody for not more than twenty-four
> hours, Sundays and legal holidays excepted, until
> he can be taken before a court or trial justice
> having jurisdiction of such offence.
>
> The cop was not within his right to arrest Gates,
> at least on the charge of "disorderly conduct."
That is not the law. I suggest you use original source material rather than a six year old message board discussing a PROPOSED statute. You do understand that a bill has to pass the legislature and then be signed by the Governor to become law, don't you? Please tell me you aren't really this stupid.
If you want the statute in question, I suggest you look here:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/272-53.htm