NJ Lawmaker Wants Mandatory Traffic Stop Recorders [POLL/AUDIO]

A New Jersey lawmaker who was arrested for DWI and other charges last summer, but was later found to be completely innocent and had all the charges dropped because of a police cruiser video recording, will introduce legislation to make it mandatory for all police cars used in traffic stops to have video recorders mounted on the dashboard.

"By doing this you'll now have a visual record of a traffic stop provides the best evidence for police to use in court- the video doesn't lie, it doesn't forget what is said, it's impartial," said Assemblyman Paul Moriarty.

He said many people probably assume all police vehicles now have video recorders, but the reality is some do, and some don't.  It depends on the municipality and the police cruiser.

Moriarty added that using this tool "may in fact reduce protracted court cases and litigation, and to not have a visual recorder in police cars used for traffic stops is now like having an office desk without a computer.  we have the technology, we should be using it.  This technology gives a fool-proof visual record."

The legislation calls for a $25 surcharge - collected from those convicted of drunk driving - to be funneled to towns to buy the video recorders.

Moriarty said the measure will be formally introduced this coming Thursday, and then be referred to the Law and Public Safety Committee for review, and he expects strong bipartisan support.

The police officer who pulled Moriarty over last summer is now facing a 14 count indictment, for among other things, lying and making a false arrest.

"If it were not for the video tape recorder in the police cruiser that stopped me," said Moriarty, "no one would believe my story that I was set up, framed, hunted down and denied my civil rights."