by Stephen Rivers
- Florida arrest raises questions about the officer’s commands and actions.
- Footage shows questionable police tactics and a father berating his daughter.
- The video may help the 19-year-old fight the felony fleeing charge in court.
Earlier this week, a video showing a young woman getting arrested in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, went viral. The story seemed to be that the police tried to pull over the teen driver, she fled, and when the police found her, her own father chastised her over the phone while the officer stood by.
Some viewers noted that while his frustration may have been understandable, that kind of reprimand might have been better saved for later, since lawyers often strongly advise that during encounters with police, the less said in the moment, the better.
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Now, a civil rights lawyer has jumped into the fray and has some clear insight. The officer’s actions are facing serious scrutiny, and the felony charge against the woman might not hold up at all.
The footage posted by Cuffed by Cops and Sgt. Pepperspray shows 19-year-old Tara Palmieri being detained in her family’s garage next to a warm-hooded 2024 Mustang.
But the arrest itself, and how the officer carried it out, is where the controversy has erupted. The officer claims that Palmieri blew past him through a no-passing zone despite his direction for her to pull over.
In the video, Palmieri claims she saw “a guy in black and white” on the roadside who didn’t look like a cop and who wasn’t directly in her path. The video does seem to corroborate that account.
One lawyer reviewing the footage argued the officer looked more like a housing-security guard than a marked law enforcement presence. The lack of lights, sirens, or a patrol vehicle that was parked far away out of sight only adds to the uncertainty.
That’s key because in Florida, fleeing and eluding requires a clear, unmistakable order from law enforcement. There are other issues with the arrest as well.
The video appears to show the officers entering the family garage without audible consent from her or anyone else in the home. That’s potentially a Fourth Amendment issue, and then, if that wasn’t enough, the officer appears to question her and obtain evidence without reading Palmieri her Miranda rights.
She repeatedly asked for a supervisor and challenged inconsistencies in the officer’s account, but those concerns were brushed aside while she was cuffed.
Palmieri posted her $2,500 bond and was due in court on December 3. If the viral discourse is any indication, she might end up walking away from the only charge she’s facing.
Full video: pic.twitter.com/pUOmpcEKP4
