I am a deaf 42 year old woman. I called 911 through the relay system to ask for an ambulance for my friend because she was drunk and out of control, had fallen on her face and was bleeding badly and fighting me when I tried to help her. I waited outside for the ambulance. The Sheriff came first, accused me of hitting my friend, and arrested me. I couldn't communicate with my hands handcuffed behind my back, I was very scared. They took me to jail. I obviously couldnt make a phone call, and it was 9 hours before they agreed to call my Mom for me. Another 8 hours before they agreed to let me use the tty phone,
At court, the DA dropped the charges, but the trauma I went through was terrible, also the cost of bail was a real burden. I feel my civil rights were ignored.