Ana Lawson filed a civil suit against the City of New York claiming that officers had lacked a legal basis--or "probable cause"-- to arrest and imprison her for drug possession.
Believing that the City was liable for its misconduct, Lawson asked the judge for relief in her favor, while the municipality requested that the lady's case be thrown out. After the Bronx County Supreme Court denied both requests, the parties appealed to the Appellate Division, First Department.
Even though there had been a warrantless arrest, since a reliable police informant had snitched on her, drugs (and related paraphernalia) were found near her clothing in an apartment where she was staying, and, she was later indicted for possession, the AD1 thought those factors justified the officers' actions and negated any purported misconduct.
Lawson sure got herself into a pinch.
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Lawson v. City of New York