Several Takes on the Aric Butler Arrest

Aric Butler D.C.

Most comments we've seen have been very disapproving of the custodial arrest of Dr. Aric Butler. Here's one from a regular reader:

It’s sad to see that the police wrote Dr. Butler a ticket for this; that’s just petty. What about the massive drug problem in Rogersville at the school parking lot and in the apartments? Let’s not forget to mention County Road 608 and Rogersville Heights. Why turn a blind eye on stuff like drug dealing to give a guy a ticket for running his legal business? 

Nevertheless, all Dr. Butler had to do was sign the citation and he was free on his own recognizance. He refused. Did he want to be taken in to garner sympathy? 

Other comments we are seeing and have received involve misdemeanor citations. Authorities always have the discretion to let an arrestee go on a misdemeanor charge if he/she signs the citation. Each county and city is different. Look at Franklin County arrests and you'll see many more individuals booked for misdemeanors than in other northwest Alabama counties. 

For those who contend that a signature on a citation is not required, here's the law (while this specifically mentions traffic tickets, this applies to all misdemeanor citations where the defendant isn't taken into custody):

All violations of Alabama traffic laws are charged on a uniform traffic citation form (ticket). By signing the ticket you are promising to appear in court. You are not admitting guilt. Failure to sign the ticket will result in your arrest.

Therefore, we may assume Dr. Butler wished to be taken into custody in order to prove some legal point at his trial. That's if it comes to a trial; if it does, we hope it's livestreamed.

One final salient point: Now when Dr. Butler fills out an application for a loan, lease, grant, etc., he will need to check yes in the box asking if he has been arrested for anything more than a minor traffic violation. We have to wonder if he thought of that before deciding to disobey the quarantine directive?

The Quarantine Hasn't Been Easy On Any Of Us