Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Utah

Are Police Officers responsible for the saftey of criminal passangers in their c

I was arrested, handcuffed, and placed in the front seat of an unmarked ''undercover'' police car without giving any resistance or fight. The Officer drove me down the freeway, through town to the jail and never put the saftey belt on me. He also wasn't wearing his seatbelt and nor was his partner in the back seat of the 4 door undercover vehicle. I brought to his attention that he was breaking the law by not wearing his saftey belt, he responded saying that he didn't care. Is this a violation of my personal saftey? Are the Officers responsible for putting seatbelts on their passangers, especially in unmarked cars? I wear my seatbelt everywhere! He put my saftey in jeopardy. Had an accident occured, being handcuffed and in the front seat, on the freeway, I would have had no chance of saving myself! Do I have a case to charge these Officers with violating my saftey, afterall, they are sworn to PROTECT and serve, and uphold the law themselves. They did neither! Do I stand a chance to get my case thrown out or even press charges on them?


Asked on 5/01/04, 1:16 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alvin Lundgren Alvin R. Lundgren, L.C.

Re: Are Police Officers responsible for the saftey of criminal passangers in the

You should have been placed in the back seat, and in a seat belt. However, since you did not suffer any harm, all you can do is file a complaint with the police department. This has nothing to do with your case.

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Answered on 5/01/04, 8:23 pm


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