Originally Posted by jessica millen
I know I'm going to get flamed on this, but no, no, no! You were completely abused and violated Ellie, and the more people who give in to unwarranted police demands the more police will be encouraged to abuse their power. Yes, it's a very confrontational viewpoint but this is (assuming you live in the U.S) a full-on police state, and if we want to keep the few rights we have left we must fight for them.
You may not realize it, but you put yourself in a VERY dangerous position by letting them search your vehicle and bag (especially if you gave it to them to search, rather than holding it yourself). Believe it or not, planting evidence (particularly drugs) is common practice and had they done it you would have been SOL.
It sucks, but if you plan to go out dressed en-femme in the U.S. you should be aware that you could be hassled by the police and that if you choose to fight them you are in for a major hassle, but it's every citizen's right and responsibility to say NO to being abused by our supposed protectors. They are trained in every kind of dirty trick you can imagine and more, and they use them regularly. The most important part of preparing to go out dressed up should be to know your rights and be prepared to exercise them.
Never, EVER, allow a cop to search your person, belongings, vehicle, or enter your home without a warrant. If they demand you do so, ask them "Am I under arrest? Are you directly ordering me to do xxxx?". If they say "yes" to either, don't fight them but tell them you will allow it under protest, get their badge number and inform them you will be filing a complaint. Above all make no sudden movements, don't talk back, and use your right to remain silent. The worst that will happen is they'll hold you for 24 hours, but any "evidence" they recover will be inadmissible in court. Anything less only opens you up to abuse and possibly planted evidence, against which you will have little to no recourse. They lie, plant, break the law, and play mind games to get whatever they want, because they are trained in the school of 'guilty until proven innocent'.
NEVER trust a cop. no matter how friendly they appear. In fact, that's one of their dirty tricks. By the way, I'd bet a lot of money that you ARE in their database now.
EDIT: just noticed the towns you mentioned so you're probably not in as much danger as I thought. Regardless though, always know your rights
