Location: California
I was recently arrested for a suspected DUI. When I invoked my right to remain silent by stating “I invoke my 5th amendment right to remain silent”, the police got angry and said they would get a warrant for a hospital drug test, which they never did.
I am a trans person and I believe the police singled me out for this.
I was taken to the station and held in solitary confinement for 5 days while waiting for a judge to release me.
During this time I was given no hygiene products including toilet paper, soap or a shower. The guards mocked me by calling me a “thing” and a male officer made sexual jokes about me including something about asking to see me do the “helicopter” for them.
I was not allowed to sleep. They had an alarm that went off every hour where an officer would come and knock loudly on the door to keep me awake. This device had some kind of RFID that recorded their checks. The lights were never dimmed or turned off.
On the third day a lady officer finally took pity on me and gave me a Bible as well as got my family phone number from my phone in their evidence locker, so I could try to call someone. I was finally able to reach a family member on the phone the 4th day.
When the judge finally saw me on day 5, he immediately released me with no bail and gave me a future hearing date.
I believe I was singled out for being a trans person who identifies and looks non-binary, and that my civil rights may have been violated. During booking I simply asked them what they thought “would happen to me in the general jail population?” This seemed to worry them. The experience was traumatic and horrifying.
Is this normal for jail? Do I have a reason to seek a civil rights attorney?
Comments
Yes, consult with a civil rights attorney. They can direct you in any next steps.