Opinion ID: 2011074
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Alleged Traffic Violation.

Text: Both Sergeant Ferguson and Officer Schofield claimed that their actions vis-a-vis the station wagon and its occupants were undertaken, in part, because the vehicle was involved in a traffic violation. Sergeant Ferguson stated that the station wagon was parked abreast, conduct which, according to Ferguson, was a violation of the D.C.Code. He claimed that he was authorized to write a ticket for a vehicle so parked even if the motor was running. Ferguson acknowledged that the double parking had not caused any noticeable traffic problem. Officer Schofield initially testified that the station wagon was not allowing cars to drive straight through. She later acknowledged, however, that one lane was free, and that traffic therefore was not absolutely blocked. [2] According to Officer Schofield, Sergeant Ferguson had the intent to make a traffic stop, and he obviously was attempting a traffic stop, although I would not have stopped them maybe for that reason.