write a professional
letter. Your supervising attorney has asked you to
prepare a letter that will be sent to an Alabama
prosecutor.
Your client is Lester Cool. Cool lives in Alabama.
He owns a home. His neighbor across the street
from Cool was away on vacation. Whenever these
neighbors are away on summer vacation, Cool has
watered the neighbor’s outdoor plants in the front
yard. These neighbors were always grateful that
Cool was such a thoughtful neighbor.
One day, at about 6:00 pm, when Cool was
watering this neighbor’s plants, a police car pull
up in front of the neighbor’s house. A different
neighbor had called the police and reported
suspicious activity. The police officer approached
Cool and asked “What you doing here, man?”
Holding the water hose, Cool answered, “Watering
flowers.”
Cool stated his name and noted that he is a
religious leader at the local congregation and lives
across the street. The police officer asked him to
provide identification. Cool declined to do so and
stated that he had done nothing wrong.
The police officer arrested Cool in front of his
neighbor’s house and charged him with
“obstructing government operations.” Cool was
placed in handcuffs and put in the back of a police
car.
The neighbor who called the police came out of
her home and told the officer that she made a
mistake, that she knows Cool, and that he was
just watering his neighbor’s plants. The officer
ignored the neighbor.
Your attorney could not reach the prosecuting
attorney on the phone. Your attorney wants to
Fed Ex a letter demanding Cool’s release.
Review Alabama’s Stop and Identify Law:
Alabama Code Section 15-5-30: Authority of
peace officer to stop and question.
Review the APUS Legal Studies Writing Guide.
In this formal letter, explain what happened (Do
not copy the assignment. Instead rephrase the
facts in your own words) and argue for your
client’s release in light of the law. Your attorney
also noted to your that Cool is a person of color
and is concerned that this fact may have played a
role in the arrest of Cool.
Research and discuss the statute, and case law to
support your points. You have discussed with your
client filing a lawsuit because the police wrongfully
detained and arrested your client.
This letter should not exceed 2 pages. Create any
content necessary to compose a professional
letter, but you cannot change the facts (who did
what to whom).
