FAILURE to OBEY a POLICE OFFICER – State v. Mr. W (DMC No. 9452) (Phoenix City Court No. 4133695): Mr. W (an African American gentleman) was from Tennessee and was traveling with his wife in the vehicle when they were stopped by Police. The Officer asked Mr. W to pull around the corner to the right as to not block traffic. When Mr. W turned around the corner he immediately stopped because the roadway was too dark up ahead. When the Officer asked him why he didn’t pull farther around the corner, Mr. W stated that he had negative experiences with the Police in Tennessee and that his wife was scared.
The Officer became irate and charged Mr. W with failure to obey a Police Officer per Arizona Revised Statute ARS 28-622. We were able to show the Prosecutor that the Officer was abusing his discretion, and they dismissed all charges against Mr. W.