Justice story

Outline:
Lede
Alcohol statistics here on campus…
Examples?
Run down of basic law
Learning your rights
Examples
The kicker – quote from Thomas.

Each year hundreds of Washington State students find themselves face to face with a police officer and in many cases students incriminate themselves and make the officers job much easier.
According to the WSU Police Department 2009-2010 Annual Security/Fire Report over 800 people received alcohol referrals and 175 people were arrested in 2008 alone.
People don’t realize how simple it is to avoid incriminating themselves when being stopped by the police
According to state law RCW 66.44.270 in order to charge someone with a minor in possession all a police officer needs to prove is that the person in question is exhibiting the signs of consumption. This includes smelling alcohol on the breath, being in close proximity to a container or showing visible signs of a lack of coordination.
Whether or not people agree with the current laws it is crucial to understand them and know individual rights.
Last year Ben Thomas, the associate director of WSU Student legal services, held a program to teach students their basic rights when being confronted by an officer of the law. A lawyer and a police officer were present to speak at the meeting sharing their side of the story.
“The idea of the program was to help not only decrease the number of incidents on campus, but to inform students of their basic rights,” Thomas said. “The only thing that state law requires of those under question for an MIP is for them to produce valid identification.”
Thomas discussed how the program didn’t stop with MIP’s, the officer talked about protocol on everything from drug related arrests to simple traffic violations. Those in attendence were given opportunities to ask any question whether it be legal advice or a question about police protocol.
Many people are so uninformed that they believe it is required by law to take a breathalyzer when asked to do so.
“I always assumed you had to do exactly what the officer tells you,” said Erik Dargitz, a junior at WSU. “I didn’t realize how hard it can be for the cop to prove anything.”
Dargitz has managed to keep a clean sheet over the years but others haven’t been so lucky.
“I got an MIC [minor in consumption] last year in Idaho when our designated driver got pulled over for a broken taillight,” said James Whelan who was a sophomore at the time. “I got nervous and admitted to having a few beers and the next thing I know I’m paying a 500 dollar fine.”
For those who don’t want to end up like Whelan, Thomas says just know your rights.
“If people knew what they were up against, most of the time they would be able to avoid trouble,” he said. “Just hand the officer your ID, shut up and you’ll be fine.”

Contacts:

Ben Thomas
253 332 2609

James Whelan
425 941 8598

Erik Dargitz
360 739 3681