Here is my situation-
A few weeks ago I was in the back of a livery cab minding my own business, not doing anything but chatting with the driver on the way to a friends house at about 1am. All of a sudden flashing lights came on- the livery driver pulled over. Two plain clothed cops come running up to the car, flung my door open yelling "out of the car, out of the car" I had no idea what was happening, they then reached in and quite forcefully and rougly pulled me out of the car. As they were pulling me out I also tried to take my messenger bag with me, they said "leave the bag". They then frisked me, closed the car door and pointed to a shield on the car and said "see this sticker- this sticker means we can pull the car over at anytime and search the passengers and the car."
They then said to me "step around back and lets see some ID and you can be on your way." While the one was taking my ID the other went into the back of the cab and looked in my bag, inside the closed bag I had a closed pouch and inside this pouch were various recreational substances. The cop said "We got him, we got him- a bag full of narcotics."
All of a sudden there were 20 cops all over the place, looking, laughing at, making crude comments and frisking me several times. They placed me under arrest- and I do not believe they read me my Miranda rights- but I really didn't say much of anything either. They took me to the station and booked me.
During the booking process they went through my bag in front of me, I stayed quiet, they looked through everything and made fun of a few things I had in my bag, I had some sex toys, and a few other things. Throughout the night while I was in the holding cell one cop after the next came by looked at my belongings and held them up, played with, teased me about etc etc.
I am very lucky thus far that I am only facing misdemeanor charges, they could go up to felony charges though. That cant happen, and I need to get out of these charges if at all possible or my life will be ruined. In Sept of 2010 I plead guilty to a few felonies in Baltimore City Court (state charges) in Maryland. Part of the deal was if I stay out of trouble while I was on probation for 3 years- my charges and my felony convictions would then be erased from my record. I have stayed out of trouble I did though have a relapse and begin using again, but that's a story in itself that I thank our wonderful DEA for.
Other than having substance abuse issues I am a good model citizen that does charity work, helps out people in need, and is an honest, sincere, guy who has been dealt some BS I feel by the NYPD. They had no right to violate my rights like that and I need someone who will be able to help me.
I do not have much money, but I need a good lawyer. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good lawyer that might be willing to do some pro bono work or work out some kind of payment plan with me? I have not been able to get a job since I have those felonies, I have been unemployed for 2 years now. I cannot get a job that pays me enough to live and has good medical benefits. I have HIV as well and need good medical. I was looking forward to going back to work in the near future once these felonies went away- now not so sure that's going to happen.
Please if anyone could point me in the right direction or if there is a lawyer willing to help I would be forever grateful!
As a side note for anyone reading this.......How can we as a nation lock up people with drug addictions and brand them as criminals for the rest of their lives? We give alcoholics a free pass all the time, provided they don't get dwi or kill someone. Instead of treating me and countless other citizens for our illness we ruin any hope of regaining a normal productive life since we are and always will be felons. Its just not right! War on drugs has failed and this country has failed its addicted citizens.
One last thing-- The ACLU is in the process of suing the NYPD on behalf of a local radio personality, He was pulled over and searched much the same as me, although I do not think he was arrested. When I called the ACLU they said "oh we already have our case, good luck" I then asked them if they could recommend a good lawyer the guy on the phone said "no we cant" and hung up on me. Thanks ACLU!
Please email me if you can help Filipowicz.tim@live.com
A few weeks ago I was in the back of a livery cab minding my own business, not doing anything but chatting with the driver on the way to a friends house at about 1am. All of a sudden flashing lights came on- the livery driver pulled over. Two plain clothed cops come running up to the car, flung my door open yelling "out of the car, out of the car" I had no idea what was happening, they then reached in and quite forcefully and rougly pulled me out of the car. As they were pulling me out I also tried to take my messenger bag with me, they said "leave the bag". They then frisked me, closed the car door and pointed to a shield on the car and said "see this sticker- this sticker means we can pull the car over at anytime and search the passengers and the car."
They then said to me "step around back and lets see some ID and you can be on your way." While the one was taking my ID the other went into the back of the cab and looked in my bag, inside the closed bag I had a closed pouch and inside this pouch were various recreational substances. The cop said "We got him, we got him- a bag full of narcotics."
All of a sudden there were 20 cops all over the place, looking, laughing at, making crude comments and frisking me several times. They placed me under arrest- and I do not believe they read me my Miranda rights- but I really didn't say much of anything either. They took me to the station and booked me.
During the booking process they went through my bag in front of me, I stayed quiet, they looked through everything and made fun of a few things I had in my bag, I had some sex toys, and a few other things. Throughout the night while I was in the holding cell one cop after the next came by looked at my belongings and held them up, played with, teased me about etc etc.
I am very lucky thus far that I am only facing misdemeanor charges, they could go up to felony charges though. That cant happen, and I need to get out of these charges if at all possible or my life will be ruined. In Sept of 2010 I plead guilty to a few felonies in Baltimore City Court (state charges) in Maryland. Part of the deal was if I stay out of trouble while I was on probation for 3 years- my charges and my felony convictions would then be erased from my record. I have stayed out of trouble I did though have a relapse and begin using again, but that's a story in itself that I thank our wonderful DEA for.
Other than having substance abuse issues I am a good model citizen that does charity work, helps out people in need, and is an honest, sincere, guy who has been dealt some BS I feel by the NYPD. They had no right to violate my rights like that and I need someone who will be able to help me.
I do not have much money, but I need a good lawyer. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good lawyer that might be willing to do some pro bono work or work out some kind of payment plan with me? I have not been able to get a job since I have those felonies, I have been unemployed for 2 years now. I cannot get a job that pays me enough to live and has good medical benefits. I have HIV as well and need good medical. I was looking forward to going back to work in the near future once these felonies went away- now not so sure that's going to happen.
Please if anyone could point me in the right direction or if there is a lawyer willing to help I would be forever grateful!
As a side note for anyone reading this.......How can we as a nation lock up people with drug addictions and brand them as criminals for the rest of their lives? We give alcoholics a free pass all the time, provided they don't get dwi or kill someone. Instead of treating me and countless other citizens for our illness we ruin any hope of regaining a normal productive life since we are and always will be felons. Its just not right! War on drugs has failed and this country has failed its addicted citizens.
One last thing-- The ACLU is in the process of suing the NYPD on behalf of a local radio personality, He was pulled over and searched much the same as me, although I do not think he was arrested. When I called the ACLU they said "oh we already have our case, good luck" I then asked them if they could recommend a good lawyer the guy on the phone said "no we cant" and hung up on me. Thanks ACLU!
Please email me if you can help Filipowicz.tim@live.com
