Texas Border

A routine stop-sign violation turned into handcuffs after an Oklahoma state senator decided to argue about handing over her driver’s license. Tulsa County Deputy Freddie Alaniz stopped a silver sedan in downtown Tulsa after saying the driver failed to fully stop at two stop signs. Behind the wheel was Oklahoma State Senator Regina Goodwin. Goodwin immediately disputed the stop and repeatedly questioned why she was being pulled over. The deputy asked for her driver’s license. Instead of simply handing it over, the conversation kept going. Alaniz warned her that Oklahoma law requires drivers to provide their license when lawfully requested and that continued refusal could result in her being taken to jail. Goodwin responded: “Do what you got to do.” So he did. She was placed in handcuffs and detained in the back of the patrol vehicle while the situation continued to unfold. Attorney Mike Manning arrived and helped calm things down, eventually encouraging Goodwin to provide her identifying information. By that point, the traffic stop had attracted quite an audience. Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and City Councilor Laura Bellis were among those who appeared at the scene. After roughly 12 minutes in handcuffs, Goodwin was released. The deputy ultimately issued just one citation for failing to stop at a stop sign rather than taking her to jail. Later, Goodwin entered a no-contest plea and paid a $249 fine. She also acknowledged afterward that she should have handled the situation better. The part people sometimes forget: Being an elected official doesn’t erase the ordinary rules of a traffic stop. And sometimes the fastest way out of a simple stop… is to stop turning it into something bigger.