What could happen if a police officer wanted me to sign a traffic ticket and I refused?
The traffic ticket contains an actual notice to you of a pending court date at which you must appear. By signing the ticket, you are providing an acknowledgment of receipt of the "notice to appear." Since the officer is charging you with a violation of law, he could take you into custody. By signing the traffic ticket, you avoid being taken into custody at that time, and are "released on your own recognizance" pending the court date. It is better to sign the traffic ticket and go about your business pending the court date. By signing the traffic ticket, you remain free and retain the right to show up at the hearing to contest the issuance of the citation or summons.
A person is free to refuse to sign the traffic ticket; however, the police officer is free to place him/her under arrest and take him/her into custody.
http://law.freeadvice.com/general_practice/traffic_law/refuse_ticker.htm
For what it is worth, I couldn't find the actual Utah code, but I do think a citizen should have the right to put their own comments on the ticket.
I think the cop was a jerk, and should not have had the guy get out of the vehicle, but I guess right or wrong he had the ability to do it.
This cop gives law abiding citizens a bad taste for cops. I think Herzog's comments are right on. I would not allow a voluntary search of my vehicle, I would like to know what I had done wrong if pulled over and would not expect to be punished for it. Tazer or not, I think the cop could have told the driver what he was doing and just given him the ticket anyway.
Im pretty sure it is not a volunteer anything at that point. Cops have a "Probable cause" bullshit clause that allows them to SEARCH WITHOUT A WARRANT if you do stupid **** like that. Refuse all you want and tell them to get a warrant but they dont need one any more and will do what they want. If you want to live in a country where there is still common sense go to Netherlands where the cops actually dont have the right to search you.
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