Officers in St. Petersburg, Florida, pulled over a woman for an unreadable license plate, unaware of how dangerous the encounter was about to become. >> Damn, people like getting on the brakes, man. Jesus. Even the car behind me about ran into me. >> Hello, driver. This stops audio and video recorded. Okay? You've been stopped for license, but I can't understand what your plate's reading there. >> Um all right, so I just drove from Florida. Um so, I've been trying to get um the my car registered and insured, but I'm going to my mom's house. She's supposed to be doing it. >> Okay. All right. >> Because I couldn't register and insure it cuz the paper was signed wrong. But, I'm going She got my >> So, that tag's expired, right? That's on the back of the car? >> Um I just found that out just yesterday. >> Okay. All right. You have a driver's license? >> I don't have it on me, but I know my driver's license >> Why don't you have your license on you? >> I forgot it. All my stuff is in my mom's car. I'm meeting her right now. >> Okay. >> Want me to call her? >> No, what I want you to do is write your information down here for me. I need your Florida driver's license information. Do you have a Florida driver's license? >> it Island up. >> Have you ever had a Florida driver's license? >> No, I just moved down here. >> Give me your name, date of birth, and uh your current address. Hey, go ahead and call it out for me, would you? >> Yeah. I Sorry, I just been My I just been going through a lot. My family and yeah, my family and I'm When I moved down here, my family moved in also. >> Okay. >> The fact that they moved in The fact that they from they moved from um The fact that I moved down here and then we moved in up and then The fact that I moved down here I called them when they're moving, too. >> Okay. I understand completely there, yep. >> And I'm still like I'm sorry. I just >> You're fine. >> Um do you want my license number in case? >> Your Your license number? Yes, ma'am. That would be very helpful. All right. How old are you? >> I'm 21. >> You look very young. >> Yeah, thank you. It's the Asian in me. >> So, um it's a Rhode Island, is that right? >> Yes. >> Sydney, how do you say your last name? >> I'm just to Yeah, my mom said that she was helping me like we tried to register it yesterday at the >> Yeah. >> She said that they said that the person that sold me the car didn't sign in the right area so I had to fix it and I forgot the car I forgot to take my car. >> We'll figure it all out but you got to give me a minute, okay? Do you have any paperwork for this car inside this car? >> No, it was in my mom's car. >> No paperwork for the license plate? >> No, it's in it's in Can I get the picture from her? It's in her car cuz I tried to register my car yesterday. >> Um no, that's okay. What I'm going to have you do is sit your phone down and come on out over here and stand with the officer on the curb, okay? While I figure out this car, okay? You just leave your phone in the car. >> Can I call my mom? >> No, ma'am. There's no reason to call your mom. If we need it in a minute, we'll get the phone for you. But just stay with these officers right here. She looks like she's got impairment and you can smell the burnt cannabis in the car. So she's actively driving and smoking. Oh, is there some in there? >> There's it's it's old >> Okay, yeah, that's fine. She's been actively smoking with her since now or right before she got in the car but she's slurred speech she got several things going. >> Okay. >> Was she bawling now? >> Yep. >> So what's your name, Sydney? Where do you Where do you live you said? Just up there? >> In Rhode I- No, I'm >> Are you from Rhode Island? >> I'm from Rhode Island. >> Oh, okay. >> Can you just please call my mom though? >> I mean we got to figure out what's going on with the car first and like you said you're not you're not a kid, you're 21 so we got to figure out what's going on, okay? >> She's turned 21 or >> If you scan that right there does the scanner you my name will pop up on the car >> Uh we don't >> on the plate. >> We don't have scanners like that. >> No, on your phone. >> Uh I No, I'm not going to do that. Uh just hang out. >> Please just call my mom. I love my mom. >> Hey Sydney, can you stand up for me? Stand up so we can talk, okay? Let's step on over here in the shade. What are you upset about? >> My cousin So, my cousin had passed away and I just need her. That's why I moved back cuz I don't got no ride. I just want my mom. >> Why does that have to Why Okay. Well, your mom's not in your car when you were driving, right? So, you There's not a problem with you being out. >> not, but I just like I'm not from here. I don't like being alone. >> I'm going to work If you're worried about that license plate, we're going to figure that out. That's not going to be a huge deal. Let me tell you why I have officers here, okay? >> Yeah. >> Um in just a few seconds, I'm going to do a roadside evaluation to see if you've operated a vehicle while in a state of impairment off of the cannabis that you've been smoking. You can't operate a vehicle in Florida after you've consumed, ingested, or whatever um controlled substances. >> like how I just walked out? >> So, we'll talk about all that. >> just left my mom. Like literally, I just left there. Like in the parking lot. And And I told And then she told me to go drive the car and drop it off and that's it. >> Okay. And we'll figure [laughter] that out. >> she was going to meet me. I just want my mom, please. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, we're going to have to do this first, okay? Um let's step away from this tree so I don't have this right face. Here we go. Turn around and face me now. You're 21 years old. You're an adult. You know, there's some things that you're going to have to figure out on your own in your life and this is one of them it looks like, okay? Just because you and I are talking doesn't mean you're in any trouble at all, all right? It just means you and I are going to have a conversation. I'm going to evaluate you to see um you've obviously been smoking some marijuana, okay? >> at the house. >> So, do you have a uh medical marijuana card? >> smoked at the house with my with my brother. >> So, when >> you smoke or when you drink alcohol or anything that is intoxicating, okay? You can't operate the vehicle. When that intoxication gets out >> Huh? >> I was parked when I smoked. >> But immediately after you drive >> Yeah, I can't drive. >> six beers. It's like drinking six beers, waiting 20 minutes, and getting in your car and driving. You didn't drink and drive at the same time, but you did after you had the intoxicating substance, okay? >> Yeah, I'm sorry. >> So, you and I are going to have a little evaluation going on. It doesn't mean you're in any trouble, though. Part of that evaluation is that I need to read to you what's called your Miranda warning. It doesn't mean you're going to jail. Have you ever heard your Miranda right? You have the right to remain silent type thing. You ever heard that? It doesn't mean you're going to jail when you hear this, it means I want to ask you a specific question when I'm done, okay? You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him represent you while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights, not answer any questions, or make any statements. Do you understand the rights I read them to you? >> Yes. >> And having that in mind, are you willing to talk to me now? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right, it's going to be real simple. I'm not going to trick you, okay? I'm going to ask you some some questions, and I expect an honest response. Don't lie to me. I would rather you not answer than to lie, okay? So, you already told me that you smoked a little bit of marijuana before you drove. About how long ago was that? >> Probably like 30 minutes ago. >> Okay. And you do not have a medical marijuana card. >> No. >> About how much marijuana do you have in the joint, we'll call it, that you smoked? >> Uh uh we had a gram in the joint I smoked. >> 1 g, okay. About an hour ago, 1 g. >> Yeah, 30 minutes, 1 g. >> Are you prescribed any medications? >> I'm just No. >> Just what? >> No, I'm not. >> No, okay. >> The last thing I took was antibiotics, but I don't take them anymore. >> Okay, that was a while ago. Based on what you're telling me then, do you you have pretty good health, is that right? >> Yeah, I used to pass out a lot, but I don't pass out no more. >> I noticed that you've walked without a cane, you've walked without crutches. You don't have a handicap placard in your car. So, there you don't have any physical defects that keep you from simply walking, turning, um or doing motions, is that right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Oh, I do have like my tailbone is broken, I was supposed to go get >> Your tailbone? >> Yeah, and I was supposed to go get checked out, but I never went, and I was like >> How do you know the tailbone is broken? >> Cuz I went to the hospital. >> Okay. And they were How long ago was that? >> They told me I had chronic pain. It was in Atlanta, like this year, and >> So, it's been a while. Is that why you smoke marijuana for the chronic pain? >> Yeah, it helps me like sleep and stuff. Like it helps me get through the night. >> If you smoke it for chronic pain, why don't you get a medical marijuana card? >> I just haven't had a chance to go back up north in Rhode Island, from where I'm from. >> When you came here, okay. >> I just came back from Georgia. >> Yeah, if you're living here, you can get one. >> Yeah, I'm going to >> that's something maybe you can work on later, right? >> Yeah. >> I know what you're telling me about your tailbone, I believe you. >> Yeah. >> Um, but it doesn't prohibit you from doing simple movements. You were sitting on it without any special cushion or or you have no cast. >> I have a donut, but I just don't use it in the >> in that car right now. >> Um, the I bought it from a pharmacy, but it's not prescribed. >> you're not using it right now. >> No. >> So, it's not something that you're dependent on. It's something maybe that gives you a little more comfort, but it's not something you're dependent. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. And again, I've seen you walk over here. I've seen you even sit down on the ground and get up on your own. >> Yeah. >> So, there's no problem there. Okay. Would you take off your glasses for me? >> I can't. >> Yeah, just take them off. Okay. Take them all the way off and just put them in your pocket. You're not going to have to read anything. See the tip of this ink pen? >> Yeah. >> Follow the tip of that ink pen with your eyes. All right? Do not move your head. Do you understand? Here we go. >> Doing fine. Open up the eyes. Open them up. There we go. Don't move the head. This time I'm going to go around your head. I'll bring the ink pen towards your nose, but I will not touch you. Okay? Understand? All right, open up your eyes. I'm not going to touch you with the pen. See that? Your eyes aren't. >> Yeah. >> Okay, keep them open. What I was showing him was um your eyes are showing things. People who smoke cannabis regularly, there's certain things their eyes do that uh a person that doesn't smoke cannabis with their eyes won't do. So, uh do you smoke probably about a gram a day then? >> Yeah, I don't smoke a lot. I don't. I really don't. >> How many times a week do you think you smoke? >> Probably like three or four times. >> So, about three or four times a week at a gram a piece. Um, okay. No other medications? >> No. Am I getting a ticket? >> You what? >> Am I getting a >> We haven't got anywhere near that yet. Okay? This is going to take a couple more minutes and then we'll be done and we'll decide what's going to have to happen now. All right? Where is the marijuana at in your vehicle right now. >> Um >> I don't have none. >> Don't go get it, but you what would you get >> I have like a roach. Okay. It's in the middle. >> Which was mean that you were smoking marijuana? >> No, that was in the I told you I was just at my house. >> Whose marijuana is that one? >> That was what we were smoking. >> So you smoked it and then brought it with you? >> No, we parked and smoked and then I just left. Yeah, and then my brother got out and I just left. >> Okay, so you smoked it when you were sitting in the >> brother Yeah, my brother came in and >> Is that in front of your house? >> Yeah. >> What is your house address? >> Um, I will I'm staying at my mom's house. It's on 449. >> Okay. So you sat there with your brother and and smoked in front of the house in the car. Okay, about an hour ago. >> My little brother, can you I need to call my mom to get him. Can you Can I just call her? >> So um >> I'm not to use my phone, they said. >> Who told you that? >> That's what like the law is, right? They said you can't record and stuff. >> Nowhere near the law, no. >> But I need to call my my brother's going to be stuck there. >> How old is your brother? >> He's like 14, 15. >> Okay, where is he stuck at? >> Um, northeast. >> At school? Right up here? That's where he's going to get him? >> Um, on the way there, yeah. He's on his way >> Yeah, he's at that age he'll be fine waiting on you. He has a phone of his own, is that right? So he can give her a call if you don't show up. I'll be right back. Sydney, do you have anything in your coat? >> No. >> Nothing? Okay. >> me if you want. >> Nothing like that. All right. >> My cousin just died out there in Georgia and I was living with him and like I just been going through a lot, like a lot. >> you. I feel you. We'll talk about what we're getting ready to do. It's real simple. >> Okay, so I'm going to give some basic instructions and you're just going to follow me, okay? I'm going to demonstrate what you're going to do. This is just a walk and turn. I'm going to demonstrate. One, two, three. Just like that. You understand? I just did three. Up to nine. I just did three. You're going to do nine. You understand? Okay, you can begin the task. >> So three, four, five, six, seven, stop. >> 8 9 >> Continue the test just like I demonstrated. >> Improper turn. >> 3 4 >> So we got one more test, okay? So that was the walk and turn. Next test not going to take long. It's going to be the one legged stand. Do you understand? Okay, just come over here. You're going to keep your foot horizontal to the ground. You're going to watch your foot and you're going to count out loud. It's going to sound like this. 1001, 1002, 1003. Okay, you can begin. >> 1 2 3 4 5 >> Improper counting. >> 7 8 37 38 39 40 >> Until I tell you to stop. Yes, ma'am. >> 41 42 37 40 >> You can stop. Okay, so Sydney for right now, all right, we're going to place you under arrest for suspected DUI, okay? >> Under arrest? >> Yep, just right now, all right. We'll explain more what's going on. >> Yeah, you're under arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Ma'am, that's That's for intoxication is believed to be cannabis. >> Sydney was now under arrest for DUI, but what she was about to do would turn this arrest into a dangerous struggle. >> Can you call my mom? >> We will take care of that. Listen, I'm going to double lock these so they don't tighten up on you, all right? >> Okay, can you call my mom? >> Yes, we will. >> Call my mom. Call my mommy, please. >> All right. >> You're fine. You're 21. You're an adult. Please call my mom. >> We'll bring the phone with you. You'll get that opportunity, okay? >> PLEASE CALL MY MOM. MOM, PLEASE CALL MY MOM. >> PLEASE STOP. >> ALL RIGHT, please call my mommy. >> You'll have the opportunity to do that later, okay? >> When is later? When I'm in this cell? I can't get out. >> Yeah, you'll get out. >> mom? >> Yeah, very speedy. That's going to be >> This is the last one. >> Okay. All right, Sydney, we're going to go over here. >> searching her for? >> Yeah. >> The interior. >> I have my cousin's gun on me. >> Pardon me? >> I have my cousin's gun on me. >> Stop. Stop. Don't reach. >> No, I don't got a gun on me. I >> LET GO OF MY GUN. LET GO OF IT. LET GO. >> LET GO. LET GO. >> LET GO OF THE GUN. >> I GOT IT. I GOT IT. I GOT IT. I'M SORRY. Let go. Just take it out. Please. I'm sorry. I'm scared. This is traumatizing. >> We're calm. We're good. >> I mean, I can't breathe. >> Well, you don't grab it if you fire it or you'll shoot somebody. >> I was going to hand it to you. I'm sorry, sir. It's my cousin's gun. >> Okay. All right. All right. We'll figure it out. >> It's my ex-boyfriend's cousin. Can you call my mom? >> No. We'll do that later. >> My life is over. I didn't do nothing. I promise. I go to the gun range. I'm clean. You can search me. I promise, y'all. I promise, Y'ALL. MY DAD'S COUSIN. I don't got nothing. I go to the gun range with my brother, my cousin. Help me. >> [crying] >> I might be pregnant, too. I don't know. >> Go and stand up. >> I'll stand up. I got my glasses. >> up. Stand up. Stand up. >> You want me to take care of that? >> Yeah. >> Y'all got me. >> All right. >> I don't got nothing. I promise I'm clean. I didn't shoot nobody. >> All right. We got to continue what we're doing. All right. We're good. >> You see the paper behind? I go to the gun range. I go to the gun range. I promise you. I do. >> Okay. I understand. You got a gun permit on you? >> Uh no, but I go to the gun range. They They allow us to >> a concealed carry, but we can talk about that later. You can come with us to search. >> They allow us to bring guns to the gun range, though. >> Okay. I wouldn't worry about the gun till her hand got on it, and then she wouldn't release it. But, she's going to pull the trigger, you know. What's up with you and guns, man? No [ __ ] You're fine. Don't bang your head. That's just being silly. It's not going to get you anywhere. Just relax. >> I want to die so bad. I just want to die. I'd rather be dead, bro. I should have just did it. I knew I should have just did it, bro. Help me. >> Ultimately, Sydney was charged with DUI, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting an officer without violence, and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. The DUI count was administratively closed on December 21st, 2022, and the concealed weapon charge was later amended to a misdemeanor. On February 27th, 2023, she pled guilty to the three remaining charges and was found guilty on all of them. She was sentenced to 3 days in jail on each charge, fully credited as time served, and ordered to forfeit her firearm. She was also assessed $500 in fines and court-related costs. For more content like this, subscribe to Body Cam Files and stay tuned for more videos.