3. What is the "field test" for crack cocaine and why does it have any weight at all when lab testing takes months? It seems to me he could have held the guy there a couple hours and it would have been obvious very fast if he was chewing on crack cocaine.
If you watch cops, it consists of putting a sample of the questionable substance in a vial and putting a few drops of something on it. If it turns purple, it's cocaine.
It may be as accurate as military chem weapon detection strips that set off on things such as bug spray.
I assume his car was left wherever he was picked up, so they then towed it and auctioned it. I suppose he might have had someone able to pick the car up from the road or the pound, but they knew where he was and still auctioned it. I dunno, I think I'd be pissed about that, in addition to the three months in jail.
3 months in jail - I think it shouldn't be legal to hold somebody 'awaiting trial' for longer than the possible sentence.
As for the car - No selling of car until conviction. Presumed innocent, remember?
Personally, I think the police department owes him:
1. A new car - Well, a 'new for him' used one of the same
retail value of the one they probably sold at cut rate prices. IE if he had a '02 Saturn, they have to pay him enough to get a '02 saturn of about the same miles from a dealer.
2. 3 months wages.
3. Replacement value for the 'stuff' he lost because he lost his apartment.
The apartment itself is a wash - he can afford to put a deposit and first month's rent on another off of what he wasn't spending on it while in jail.
Then again, the Police are responsible for any penalties/deposit forfeitures.
Basically, they treated this guy as guilty and violated his right to a speedy trial.
