Colts Defensive Tackle Darrell Reid, (of Freehold, NJ) was arrested in the early morning hours of February 8, 2009 for trespassing and disorderly conduct outside a nightclub in Indianapolis. Mr. Reid pulled his vehicle into a parking lot, but Police stopped him from entering. Mr. Reid explained that he knew the owner, but the Police informed him that club had reached its fire limit capacity. However, Mr. Reid then attempted to use his status as a Colts player to demand entry.
New Jersey Criminal Lawyer Blog's Take: Location, Location, Location. This maxim applies mostly in real estate, but in this instance it applies in Criminal Law. Allegedly, Mr. Reid used his status as a Colts player to demand entry, but was rebuffed by police. However, Mr. Reid's vehicle was still partially on the public street. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office has declined to pursue this case because Mr. Reid's vehicle was not completely on private property. Moreover, the Prosecutor's office did not see the alleged conduct qualified as disorderly conduct under Indiana State Law.
While, the laws in Indiana and New Jersey may differ this is a helpful lesson to people in all jurisdictions. It is not a good idea to get into a verbal altercation with police especially outside a crowded nightclub. Mr. Reid won't be charged with any criminal acts, but due to the fact he is a public figure he still did significant damage to his reputation. Although the charges were dropped most people only read the initial story describing the arrest and not the follow-up story explaining why the charges are dropped.
Colts Player Darrell Reid arrested, WTHR.com Feburary 8, 2009
Colts player Reid won't face charges in nightclub scuffle, WTHR.com February 9, 2009
Colts Reid won't face charges following arrest, USA Today February 9, 2009
New Jersey Criminal Lawyer Blog's Take: Location, Location, Location. This maxim applies mostly in real estate, but in this instance it applies in Criminal Law. Allegedly, Mr. Reid used his status as a Colts player to demand entry, but was rebuffed by police. However, Mr. Reid's vehicle was still partially on the public street. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office has declined to pursue this case because Mr. Reid's vehicle was not completely on private property. Moreover, the Prosecutor's office did not see the alleged conduct qualified as disorderly conduct under Indiana State Law.
While, the laws in Indiana and New Jersey may differ this is a helpful lesson to people in all jurisdictions. It is not a good idea to get into a verbal altercation with police especially outside a crowded nightclub. Mr. Reid won't be charged with any criminal acts, but due to the fact he is a public figure he still did significant damage to his reputation. Although the charges were dropped most people only read the initial story describing the arrest and not the follow-up story explaining why the charges are dropped.Colts Player Darrell Reid arrested, WTHR.com Feburary 8, 2009
Colts player Reid won't face charges in nightclub scuffle, WTHR.com February 9, 2009
Colts Reid won't face charges following arrest, USA Today February 9, 2009
