HUNTSVILLE, AL - Not Using Turn Signal Results in Strip Search

OFF THE WIRE
D-Tom shared the following via CopBlock.org’s submit page.
This lawsuit came to light earlier this week about an incident that occurred in Huntsville, AL. It seems Huntsville Police Department needed three police employees to address the infraction of not using a turn signal. When one of the occupants asked if she could record the encounter with her smart phone, she was told NO, a clear violation of her first amendment right recognized by recent court decisions. She was then hauled out and searched without probable cause. She was aggressively patted down, exposing her backside to male employees and passersby. This type of escalation over such a mundane violation is becoming all too familiar in our country. Where are the good cops? Are there any remaining? If citizens simply want a record of the event for accountability, will they be targeted more? Why do modern police get offended if you question them? Why aren’t we doing something about this epidemic at all levels?
View the news report here.
UNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
A Madison County woman claims she was illegally strip-searched by Huntsville police officers.

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Read the lawsuit (PDF)

Shanetha Sampson is suing the city of Huntsville and three unnamed Huntsville police officers. She filed the lawsuit [PDF] last Wednesday.
Sampson claims officers used excessive force to strip-search her in open view of the public, among other things. The alleged incident happened July 24, 2013.
Sampson said she was driving on Woodson Road near Holmes Street when an officer pulled her over for not using her turn signal.
She said two more officers showed up and began questioning the passenger in her car. In the suit, Sampson claims she asked the officers if she could use her cell phone to record the questioning, but the officers said no. Her attorney, Martin Weinberg, said that the officers violated her First Amendment freedom.
Sampson claims the officers made her get out of the car and put her hands on the hood of the car, which was extremely hot.
That's when she said a female officer exposed her back side to the other officers and to the public. Sampson also claims the officer rubbed her entire body, including her breasts and genital area.
In the lawsuit, she also describes the officers doing an extensive search of her car. Sampson claims they ripped and damaged the interior.
Weinberg said the officers had no probable cause for the strip search, or the vehicle search. The lawsuit also claims Sampson was falsely arrested and held without cause.
WAFF did reach out to the Huntsville Police Department, but we were told the department will not comment on a pending case.

Weinberg is demanding a jury trial and is asking for damages and to be paid for cost of the suit.

Link to lawsuit filed (PDF):