NYC police abusing disorderly conduct law?!

[yepjimmy]

Thanks for reading my message! Hope somebody can give me some advice.(I'm in NY state)

A trip at Friday night to Home depot (for some rush plumbing repair in my house) turned out to be a catastrophe:
10 pm at night, I was held by several cars in front of a traffic light. After 2 light cycles I still couldn’t move, then I started to honk, but nothing happened. Then I turned to opposite lane trying to pass. At that time I realized that there was a police car causing the jam (without any signal, siren etc.), and a PO came over my window. For some reason I blamed him by not turning on any signal for traffic blockage (instead of saying sorry I didn’t know there is police ahead!)
After routine check of my document, they didn’t find anything. BUT they left me a summon from Criminal Court stating disorderly Conduct together with my license!
I was shocked after I read the summon. It can develop to a criminal conviction? Just because I blamed at police officer by blocking the traffic without any sign??

I’m sure I’ll plead not guilty, but do I need a lawyer for the trial?
I just think it’s such a waste of taxpayer’s money for this kind of trial. Btw, I’ve never had any legal problem for my whole life (except a parking ticket!) I’m 34 years old with a newborn baby and wife.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Yeah, because the police randomly give people DC tickets for no reason. How about you explain what really happened?

 

[seniorjudge]

Thanks for reading my message! Hope somebody can give me some advice.(NY state)

A trip at Friday night to Home depot (for some rush plumbing repair in my house) turned out to be a catastrophe:
10 pm at night, I was held by several cars in front of a traffic light. After 2 light cycles I still couldn’t move, then I started to honk, but nothing happened. Then I turned to opposite lane trying to pass. At that time I realized that there was a police car causing the jam (without any signal, siren etc.), and a PO came over my window. For some reason I blamed him by not turning on any signal for traffic blockage (instead of saying sorry I didn’t know there is police ahead!)
After routine check of my document, they didn’t find anything. BUT they left me a summon from Criminal Court stating disorderly Conduct together with my license!
I was shocked after I read the summon. It can develop to a criminal conviction? Just because I blamed at police officer by blocking the traffic without any sign??

I’m sure I’ll plead not guilty, but do I need a lawyer for the trial?
I just think it’s such a waste of taxpayer’s money for this kind of trial. Btw, I’ve never had any legal problem for my whole life (except a parking ticket!) I’m 34 years old with a newborn baby and wife.

What do the cops say you did?

 

[stephenk]

honking your horn for the reason you stated and then driving on the wrong side of the road is disorderly conduct.

 

[You Are Guilty]

honking your horn for the reason you stated and then driving on the wrong side of the road is disorderly conduct.

Well, actually, each of those is its own violation. For instance:

e. No driver shall operate or use a horn or similar signal device
installed on a licensed vehicle except as a signal of imminent danger.
The commission shall issue regulations and adopt programs facilitating
the enforcement of subdivision a and paragraph one of subdivision b of
section 10-107 of the code and shall be authorized to entertain
complaints against drivers of licensed vehicles charged with a violation
thereof.

But I guess if he pissed off the cop that much, who knows?

 

[yepjimmy]

truth

Yeah, because the police randomly give people DC tickets for no reason. How about you explain what really happened?

Thanks for the reply.
I did describe what happened, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[yepjimmy]

What do the cops say you did?

The cop said because I honked :-(

 

[You Are Guilty]

Then fight it - unnecessary honking is its own offense (cited above) and does not constitute DC.

 

[yepjimmy]

Thanks! But should I get a lawyer???

 

[seniorjudge]

Thanks! But should I get a lawyer???

Yes, get a lawyer.