Help Dan McIsaac (One Question)
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A trial has been set for 7/12/16. All family and friends who were able to donate did so early on, and the fundraising (about $350 of the $2500 goal) is essentially over. However, this campaign will remain open until the trial as a source of information. If you are friends or family of Dan McIsaac and want to donate, you may call us or donate here.
Want to know what question can send you to jail? Just watch the video and listen to what this man asked!
My name is Richard McIsaac. Dan is my brother, and there are a few things I think you should know about him: He is a father of three, a mental health counselor, and an activist for criminal justice reform. After seeing how his clients were treated by the justice system, he began to engage the local justice system and push for changes. He successfully petitioned to extend the hours of a court date call in system and has advocated for access to needed medications when those with mental health conditions are incarcerated (access not currently guaranteed by local law enforcement). It is safe to say my brother is one who questions the status quo.
Now Dan needs our help. He asked the wrong question.
Dan McIsaac was pulled over late at night in a very remote part of rural Idaho (can you almost hear the creepy banjo music?). Purportedly he was pulled over for speeding. When the officer came to his car he immediately told Dan to exit the vehicle.
We all expect a police officer to ask for license and registration. But asking you to step out of your vehicle is an unusual first step and instantly triggers stress hormones. Suddenly we don't know what's going on or what to expect. Making matters worse is trying to see the officer and his vehicle when it's dark and a flashlight is shining in your eyes. I can imagine that making any vulnerable person question their safety.
Dan asked to see the police officer's identification, as the State of Idaho instructs *. The officer refused, repeating that he was a uniformed officer in a marked car and "didn't need to show" it. Dan called 911 to verify the police officer was legitimate. Oh, and the police officer placed him under arrest for doing this. Dan fully complied after police dispatch verified the officer's identity. In the interest of fairness, though, I should point out that Dan did ask a second question at this point. He asked "Why am I being arrested?" The police officer would not answer.
Dan is facing ONE YEAR IN JAIL for "obstructing an officer" (asking a question) and "falsifying a 911 call" (calling to verify this was an actual police officer). Spread the word about what the the justice system is doing to our citizens by sharing this post. And please donate to Dan McIsaac's legal fund so we can hire a lawyer and keep Dan out of jail.
What is the one question that will send you to jail? The sad answer is: Any question at all that the police don't happen to like.
I'm left with some questions, though. Why did an officer making a routine traffic stop demand that a citizen get out of his vehicle instead of just asking for license and registration? Why did the officer refuse to show his identification? What are you supposed to do if police behavior makes you question your safety? Oh, wait... Idaho.gov states* "If you question whether the person is actually an officer, pull over anyway and ask for identification when the person approaches you. If he or she does not produce official identification, you may leave." So a better question is, why doesn't that apply to small town cops? Why did the officer in question change his initial police report after he learned that the encounter had been recorded? I would ask the police directly, but it seems they don't like questions.
* What to do if you're pulled over.
Local news: Channel 8 coverage
Local news: Channel 6 coverage
Want to know what question can send you to jail? Just watch the video and listen to what this man asked!
My name is Richard McIsaac. Dan is my brother, and there are a few things I think you should know about him: He is a father of three, a mental health counselor, and an activist for criminal justice reform. After seeing how his clients were treated by the justice system, he began to engage the local justice system and push for changes. He successfully petitioned to extend the hours of a court date call in system and has advocated for access to needed medications when those with mental health conditions are incarcerated (access not currently guaranteed by local law enforcement). It is safe to say my brother is one who questions the status quo.
Now Dan needs our help. He asked the wrong question.
Dan McIsaac was pulled over late at night in a very remote part of rural Idaho (can you almost hear the creepy banjo music?). Purportedly he was pulled over for speeding. When the officer came to his car he immediately told Dan to exit the vehicle.
We all expect a police officer to ask for license and registration. But asking you to step out of your vehicle is an unusual first step and instantly triggers stress hormones. Suddenly we don't know what's going on or what to expect. Making matters worse is trying to see the officer and his vehicle when it's dark and a flashlight is shining in your eyes. I can imagine that making any vulnerable person question their safety.
Dan asked to see the police officer's identification, as the State of Idaho instructs *. The officer refused, repeating that he was a uniformed officer in a marked car and "didn't need to show" it. Dan called 911 to verify the police officer was legitimate. Oh, and the police officer placed him under arrest for doing this. Dan fully complied after police dispatch verified the officer's identity. In the interest of fairness, though, I should point out that Dan did ask a second question at this point. He asked "Why am I being arrested?" The police officer would not answer.
Dan is facing ONE YEAR IN JAIL for "obstructing an officer" (asking a question) and "falsifying a 911 call" (calling to verify this was an actual police officer). Spread the word about what the the justice system is doing to our citizens by sharing this post. And please donate to Dan McIsaac's legal fund so we can hire a lawyer and keep Dan out of jail.
What is the one question that will send you to jail? The sad answer is: Any question at all that the police don't happen to like.
I'm left with some questions, though. Why did an officer making a routine traffic stop demand that a citizen get out of his vehicle instead of just asking for license and registration? Why did the officer refuse to show his identification? What are you supposed to do if police behavior makes you question your safety? Oh, wait... Idaho.gov states* "If you question whether the person is actually an officer, pull over anyway and ask for identification when the person approaches you. If he or she does not produce official identification, you may leave." So a better question is, why doesn't that apply to small town cops? Why did the officer in question change his initial police report after he learned that the encounter had been recorded? I would ask the police directly, but it seems they don't like questions.
* What to do if you're pulled over.
Local news: Channel 8 coverage
Local news: Channel 6 coverage
Organizer and beneficiary
Ricky McIsaac
Organizer
Idaho Falls, ID
Dan McIsaac
Beneficiary
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