Here are 159 minor things D.C. officers can arrest you for: - Polidicks

[release]An outtake from the recent controversy over expired-tag arrests: One of the reasons the District’s erstwhile policy was both objectionable and little-noticed is that police officers had discretion over whether or not to arrest a driver whose registration had lapsed. Expired tags, as it happens, were just one of 160 misdemeanor offenses where officers can choose either to take offenders into custody or to write them what is essentially a glorified ticket. The full list can be perused in a Metropolitan Police Department document issued in December 2005 outlining the proper procedure for issuing such a “violation citation,” or Form 61D. (It’s online as part of a trove of official department documents released to the nonprofit Partnership for Civil Justice in 2009.) The list contains a number of other small-bore offenses that you might not realize can land you in jail — stuff like operating a radar detector, storing building materials in an alley, climbing a street lamp, leaving your dog’s excrement untended, or digging for fishing bait in Rock Creek Park. Metropolitan Police officers are allowed to let violators off if they have “reason to believe that the violator will not cause injury to persons or damage to property, and will make an appearance in answer to the citation.” (Officers in other departments also issue 61Ds, but might have different procedures for doing so.) The offender has 15 days to report to a police station, where they can choose to contest the charge in court or forfeit their right to a court date if they agree to forfeit some money, too. According to police union chairman Kris Baumann, the list is “still good as near as we can tell” and was included in a list of active department directives as recently as August. I have queried the police department on whether any offenses should be added or subtracted and, if so, will update. Herewith, the list: TRAFFIC Allow Operation W/ Improper Tags Apportioned Tags Violations Colliding With Pedestrian Display Expired Tags Fail To Exhibit Permit Fail To Exhibit Registration Fail To Give Right Of Way To Pedestrian Fail To Identify Self-Pedestrian Improper Use Of Dealer Tags Radar Detection Device Towing - Failure to Clear Accident Debris Towing - Failure to Display License Properly Towing - Failure to Inform DPW of Public Tow Towing - Failure to Mark Tow Truck Properly Towing - Failure to Permit Proper Inspection Towing - Failure to Provide “Owner Bill of Rights” Towing - Initiating Private Tow Without Written Consent Towing - No Towing Control Number Towing - Operating a Storage Lot Without a License Towing - Operating Without a Valid Towing License Towing - Other Offense Not Specifically Identified Towing - Unauthorized Removal of Accident Vehicle Towing - Unauthorized Towing Service At Accident Towing - Unlawful Deposit of Inoperable Vehicle Towing - Unlawful Scanner Towing - Unlawful Towing from Private Property Towing - Unsafe Towing Towing - Unsecured Storage Lot NON-TRAFFIC Advert. Mat. - Scattered Animals - Other than Dogs at Large Auctioneers Barbed Wire Fences- Public Space Bees within 500 ft. of Human Habitation Builders - Building Material on Roadway Builders - Building Material Stored in Alleys Builders - Fail to Place Light on Obstruction of Roadway/Sidewalk Builders - Failure to Store Building Materials on Private Property Builders - Use of Public Space without Permit Construction Code Violations Dangerous Object on Street/Sewer Deface Public Footway/Roadway Distribute Handbills-Public Space Dogs - At Large Dogs - Disturbing the Peace Dogs - Maintain Collar Dogs - Menacing People Dogs - Unleashed Dogs - Private Property Dogs - Vaccination Required Dogs - Vaccination Tag Required Dogs - Excrement on Public/Private Property Expired Commission - Campus Sec. Officer Expired Commission - Special Pol. Officer Failure to Obey Order to Remedy Dangerous Condition False Alarm Fire Code - Failure to Obey Order (generally) Fireworks - Deliver 12H Fireworks - Discharge Fireworks - Possession Fireworks - Sell Fishing - By Other than Rod Hook and Line 12H Fishing - Commercial Fishing 12H Fishing - Digging for Bait in Rock Creek Park 12H Fishing - Dip Net Exceeding Size Fishing - Exceeding Limit for Species Fishing - Failure to Attach License Number to Eel Trap Fishing - Failure to Check Eel Trap Fishing - Failure to Display a Fishing License Fishing - Fishing with Seine or Cast Net Fishing - Fishing Without a License Fishing - More than 2 Hooks Per Line Fishing - More than 3 Lines Fishing - Net Fishing in Rock Creek Park Fishing - Operating in Excess of 5 Eel Traps Fishing - Poss. Species with Size Limit Head/Tail Removed Fishing - Possession of Endangered/Threatened Species Fishing - Possession of Undersized Fish Fishing - Take/Catch/Possess Striped Bass/Hybrid Striped Bass (Out of Season) Fishing - Taking Catching or Possessing Sturgeon Fishing - With Snag Hook Fowls Without Permit Harbor Regs - Accident Fail to Assist Harbor Regs - Accident Fail to Report Personal Injury Harbor Regs - Accident Fail to Report Property Damage Harbor Regs - Accident Identify Self & Vessel Harbor Regs - Canoe Safety Fail to Instruct Harbor Regs - Entering Diving Area Harbor Regs - Entering Restricted Area Harbor Regs - Fail to comply with Fed Anchor Light regs Harbor Regs - Fail to Give Harbor Master Change Name/Address Harbor Regs - Fail to Obtain Permit for Marine Event Harbor Regs - Fail to Provide Equipment Livery Boat Harbor Regs - Fail to Yield for Emergency Vessel Harbor Regs - Failure to Comply with Navigation Rules Harbor Regs - Failure to Comply Equipment Standards Harbor Regs - Failure to Register Vessel Harbor Regs - Failure to Wear Flotation Device -Operator & Person under 18 Harbor Regs - Flotation Device - Suff. Number Approved Suitable Accessible Harbor Regs - Flotation Device Children under 13 Harbor Regs - Hazardous Condition/Fail to Correct Harbor Regs - ID Number- Give or Display Harbor Regs - Land Amphibian Craft Without Permission Harbor Regs - Livery Fail to Keep Records Harbor Regs - Minor Operate Without Certificate Harbor Regs - Minor-Rent boat to Harbor Regs - Mooring Buoy-Place or Fail to Remove Harbor Regs - Muffler- Improper Harbor Regs - Navigation Lights -Improper Display Harbor Regs - Negligent Operation Harbor Regs - Noise Harbor Regs - Obstructing Channel Harbor Regs - Obstructing Docks Harbor Regs - Operation without Boating Safety Certificate Harbor Regs - Polluting Waters Harbor Regs - Speed Harbor Regs - Sunken Vessel Fail to Notify Harbor Master Harbor Regs - Sunken Vessel Fail to Raise After Notification Harbor Regs - Tie to Bridge or Seawall Harbor Regs - Tie to Buoy Harbor Regs - Tie to Navigation Aid Harbor Regs - Validation Sticker - Fail to Obtain Harbor Regs - Validation Sticker- Fail to Display Harbor Regs - Violation of Water Contact/Water Sport Regs. Harbor Regs - Fail to Notify Transfer/Destr./Theft/Abandon./Recovery/Doc. Housing Code Violations Photographer Violations Photographer - More than 5 minutes at location Poster - Lewd Public Sewer, Misuse of Public Sewers Inflammable Liquids Public Space Obligations of Owners and Abutting Space Public Space Selling Vehicles Public Space Soliciting Employment Public Space Soliciting Passengers Public Space Storing Merchandise Public Space Wet Paint/Other Substance without Warning Device Public Toilets - Misconduct Rodent Control Sale of Cigarettes to a Minor Second Hand Dealer - Failure to Keep Article Time Required Second Hand Dealer - Failure to Keep Records Time Required Snow Removal Railroad Track Street Lamps - Climbing Street Lamps - Damage or Break Street Lamps - Hitching Animals to Street Lamps - Signs or Ads Taxi Violations - Loitering Tent / Temporary Abode Regulation Violation Transp. Manure Transp. Trash Transportation of Materials Improper Unlicensed Driving Instructor Unlicensed Parking Lot Vending - Cry out Vending - Improper Vending Vehicle Vending - Longer than Necessary Vending - Restricted Area Vending - Restricted Hrs. Vending - Vending without a License Water Regulations, Violation of[/release] Source: [url]https://apps.facebook.com/wpsocialreader/me/channels/trending/content/iFPYv?fb_source=home_multiline&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_action_ids=2609540719185%2C2609540519180%2C2609539879164%2C2609535199047[/url] Most of these are minor fines in other states, I think this is a bit ridiculous.

[b]Misuse Of Public Sewer[/b] How exactly...?

[QUOTE=Nikota;33106686][b]Misuse Of Public Sewer[/b] How exactly...?[/QUOTE] Flushing garbage down the toilet I guess.

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;33106719]Flushing garbage down the toilet I guess.[/QUOTE] Yeah come on people, we have [b]standards[/b], you can't just flush anything down there

Towing - Unsafe Towing i don't get that one you get towed if you are towing it wrong?

Okay honestly a lot of that stuff is 'minor' but if someone was arrested for it, I'd say they deserved it. All too many times I've walked on shit on the sidewalk. Fucking assholes

Photographer - More than 5 minutes at location Huh?

This is stupid. No wonder so many things are wrong with this country. The amount of obsession with crime and punishment is on the fascist level. I don't even think Hitler would have you arrested for not giving right of way to a pedestrian. Jesus christ I think I'd feel scared walking out of my own house.

[QUOTE=Dark-Energy;33106849]This is stupid. No wonder so many things are wrong with this country. The amount of obsession with crime and punishment is on the fascist level. I don't even think Hitler would have you arrested for not giving right of way to a pedestrian. Jesus christ I think I'd feel scared walking out of my own house.[/QUOTE] talk about totally over reacting, this is hilarious that you actually think these things are enforced and that people are commonly jailed over this

[QUOTE=rundevil;33106653] Dogs - At Large[/QUOTE] What the hell is this

[QUOTE=KanonieR;33106923]What the hell is this[/QUOTE] Like clifford [img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp/ratings/funny2.png[/img] A dog completely unattended as in owner not even there. I see it as this: your dog runs away. He runs off unattended in dc. you can be arrested.

[QUOTE=HolyCrusade;33106894]talk about totally over reacting, this is hilarious that you actually think these things are enforced and that people are commonly jailed over this[/QUOTE] It's just the fact that they [i]can[/i]. Fuck the police, don't trust the police

[quote]Failure to Attach License Number to Eel Trap[/quote] You'll never catch me, pigs! Muhahahahaha!

[QUOTE]Harbor Regs - Sunken Vessel Fail to Raise After Notification[/QUOTE] B...bu... but officer, I am only twelve and I couldn't raise the large yacht with my tiny rowboat! To fucking bad you criminal scum! You are going to jail, you know that!? I hope you keep that soap on a string!

[QUOTE=YouWithTheFace.;33106761]Towing - Unsafe Towing i don't get that one you get towed if you are towing it wrong?[/QUOTE] I think it's just saying it falls under the category of towing, not that you will get towed for that.

[QUOTE=Mister_Jack;33106968]It's just the fact that they [i]can[/i]. Fuck the police, don't trust the police[/QUOTE] Watch out, this man buys aspirin with his mother's visa and gets high every day, he knows what he's talking about.

Naturally almost none of these are enforced. Still, though, the effect is that any cop can find a reason to arrest just about anybody. Piss them off, and they'll figure out an excuse.

This isn't news

[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;33107130]Naturally almost none of these are enforced. Still, though, the effect is that any cop can find a reason to arrest just about anybody. Piss them off, and they'll figure out an excuse.[/QUOTE] Sir, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you in for sauntering in a waltzing zone.

[QUOTE=rundevil;33106958]Like clifford [img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp/ratings/funny2.png[/img] A dog completely unattended as in owner not even there. I see it as this: your dog runs away. He runs off unattended in dc. you can be arrested.[/QUOTE] Either that or it means your assisting a criminal dog escape from jail.

[QUOTE=Wilford Brimley;33107064]Watch out, this man buys aspirin with his mother's visa and gets high every day, he knows what he's talking about.[/QUOTE] Ad Hominem argument, how does that relate to this article at all?

[QUOTE=EliteGuy;33107150]This isn't news[/QUOTE] Anything is and can be news as long as there's an audience. I don't consider celebrity related pieces news, but they still are.

[QUOTE=Mister_Jack;33106968]It's just the fact that they [i]can[/i]. Fuck the police, don't trust the police[/QUOTE] Hahaahah This has to be a joke

[QUOTE=Mister_Jack;33106968]It's just the fact that they [i]can[/i]. Fuck the police, don't trust the police[/QUOTE] The only chance you could see someone being arrested for this is if they were doing something seriously wrong concerning the charge, most of these seem quite reasonable. Not that you'll actually listen to this considering your second comment.

This is news, if you've followed events in DC " the recent controversy over expired-tag arrests: One of the reasons the District’s erstwhile policy was both objectionable and little-noticed is that police officers had discretion over whether or not to arrest a driver whose registration had lapsed." DC officers have baby arresting many for small charges like these, where most places a fine is the most you'll get (excluding habitual offenders, but I think it stands to reason that's a separate case.)

[QUOTE=Canuhearmenow;33107470]The only chance you could see someone being arrested for this is if they were doing something seriously wrong concerning the charge, most of these seem quite reasonable. [/QUOTE] No you would see it used as an excuse to arrest someone. A police officer will often use these minor charges to get someone off the streets if they are feeling vindictive or pissed off.

[QUOTE=Dark-Energy;33106849] I don't even think Hitler would have you arrested for not giving right of way to a pedestrian.[/QUOTE] :godwin:

"colliding with pedestrians" (it says traffic so i am guessing hitting with a car) NOT a minor thing.

'Apportioned Tags Violations' that sounds like what happens if you tear the tag off the mattress

[QUOTE=legolover122;33107848]"colliding with pedestrians" (it says traffic so i am guessing hitting with a car) NOT a minor thing.[/QUOTE] hmm, since it was minor I assumed it meant person against person, body to body.