Story Archive

You Have the Right To...

New Jersey State Trooper Matthew Stazzone pulled Rebecca Musarra over, and asked her if she knew why he’d stopped her. She refused to answer, so Stazzone eventually said: “You’re going to be placed under arrest if you don’t answer my questions.” While taking her into custody, he confirmed that he was doing so because she wouldn’t talk. Then he and another trooper put her in their car, and he recited her rights: “You have a right to remain silent....” After she was chained in a holding cell, a supervisor apologized and told her Stazzone had made a rookie mistake. She was not charged with obstruction, the crime Stazzone said she’d committed. Musrarra already knew that: she’s a Philadelphia lawyer, and she’s suing. State attorneys defending the case say Stazzone and his colleague “acted in good faith and without fraud or malice,” and a State Police spokesman said there’d be a review. “In the event that problems are identified, training and/or disciplinary measures are implemented where appropriate.” (AC/Newark Star-Ledger) ...You could start by having them read the Miranda warning. Oh, wait....