I was arrested a few months ago for a $121 unpaid ticket. I was running at a state park with a group in Ohio and after 18 miles I returned to my car to be greeted by the park ranger. He ran my plates and apparently I had a warrant out for a ticket I couldn't remember, which was my fault totally. I was in there for three days before I even had contact with the outside world. Calls were $14.80 for 15 minutes, and you couldn't add the minutes yourself. I was taken to the county jail first, and wanted to post bail. I had a hold placed on me so I couldn't do that. I was forced to wait for video court at another jail I was transferred to the following day. I had $322.00 cash on me and a check from work. Eventually I had video court and got released. BUT...they misplaced my personals and sent them to southern Indiana. They not only lost my phone, wallet, and shoes, but also left me with a $30.00 check - even after stating that they will only take the $100.00 receiving fee from my money available.

I cringe when I see red and blue lights now. I'll never forget the inconvenience of jail. I think I was the only preschool sports teacher in there. Bad experience for a 21 year old.

I will take full responsibility for my own faults in this one. I can take some positives from this however. Like seeing where our looted taxes really go. Observing what we truly pay for. The most valuable lesson learned is that nobody truly cares for your well being, expecially that of state and governmental employees - yeah the one's who have a hard time believing that man can survive on his own, because he has no mind or idea how to live, so he needs supervision - even in his phone calls.

The seven other guys in my 12x12 cell all made fun of me saying, "The park ranger arrested you???" and, "Smokey and Bubu bear got away but you couldn't?"

I can understand.. I grew up in a Rustbelt town during the Carter Depression. At a very young age I learned not to so much fear them as much as I distrust their intentions. By the time I had gotten through grade school I had already seen too much. Police that were not really interested in the "protect" part of the job. School teachers that were as useful as a bag of wet hair and religious folks who clearly did not actually care.

Over my life I've seen some police officers act really nuts. That's troubling, because they are protected. I remember when I first heard of the beating death of Kelly Thomas. I'm the father of a son with special needs and I wept when I heard that story. Since when do guys with badges think it's ok to beat a man to death? I see it as just another sign that our country and our society is sliding down the slope...

there is little I can think of that could be worse than being innocent and caught in our criminal justice system. only the bad actors know how to play the system, the rest of us just get ground up like horse meat...

Why was a Park Ranger running plates? It appears like the they were looking for revenue.

I've never been afraid of authority. I usually buck it, but I sure watch my back. I haven't been afraid of the bad guys either because I don't think anyone can protect me but myself.

It's interesting that you posted this when you did. Yesterday I was at a Anti-IRS rally. It was interesting to watch how attentive we all were every time the various branches of cops went by and what their actions might be. Everyone liked my Don't Tread On Me Pirate Flag.

Interesting, but not out-of-line. You just understood that you don't have "protectors" but people who wish to intercede on your liberty to protect the "collective."