ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta Police officer resigned following a controversial traffic stop that involved the arrest of an elderly woman.
The story raised a lot of questions about what your rights are when you're stopped by police.
In the video, you see the officers arguing with 65-year-old Rose Campbell to sign the citation and get out of the car. If you get pulled over for a traffic violation and are given a ticket, are you legally required to sign that ticket?
According to 11Alive’s legal expert Vinnie Politan, you do not have to sign the ticket.
However, what you’re signing is a signature bond. By signing, you promise you will show up in court on your court date.
This is the alternative to getting arrested and posting money to make sure you are in court. According to Vinnie, it is to your advantage to sign the ticket, that way police will not arrest you.
If you do not sign the ticket, you do subject yourself to an arrest. It is discretionary and up to the officer to take you to the station or not.
MORE | 'Shut the **** up and get out of the car!' Alpharetta officer shouts at woman during traffic stop
What happens if the officer asks you to get out of the car? Well, you have to get out of the car according to a United States Supreme Court decision, Vinnie said.
