In addition to Family Law, I also handle Criminal and Juvenile Defense. I read this recently and, of course, it happened in our wonderfully strange state of Florida.
Sean Slocum, age 21, of West Palm Beach, Florida, is clearly not a very bright guy. The idiotic criminal decided the best way to get out of an arrest was to call 911, and report that he was getting kidnapped by the police. According to the police report, deputies were called to the Girafas Bar and Grill on January 11, 2014, after getting calls of a bar fight. By the time they arrived the fight had ended, but an employee pointed out that a man allegedly involved in the fight was outside sitting in a car across the street. Slocum was the one inside the car, and, according to reports, left the vehicle and started walking away when the police cruiser was approaching him. Deputies temporarily detained Slocum until they could find out whether or not he was involved in the bar fight. According to the report, in the presence of deputies, Slocum “made several false calls to 911 claiming that he was being kidnapped.” The operator had to explain to Slocum that he was not, in fact, a victim of a kidnapping, but simply being held for police questioning. In fact, he wasn’t even technically arrested. Despite that, “over a period of 10 or so [minutes] Sean called 911 about 4 times.” It was then that police arrested him on the charges of misuse of 911.
By pulling this stunt, he has been charged with another crime. This is a great example of where a suspect should have followed probably the most common criminal defense advice given – just keep your mouth shut! This applies not only to police questioning, but talking at all. Talking to anyone about your case, or lying about it, as in this case will not help.
Shawn L. HungateAttorney at Law in Kissimmee, representing clients in Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Osceola County for three decades. About Shawn
This article is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it or contacting the firm does not create an attorney–client relationship.
