The NYC Police Dept responded on the ruling with the following statement: NYC Police officers will not be arresting people for minor infractions (seatbelts, etc.) despite the new ruling. They will continue to write summons for these offenses as usual. I think that most cops are pretty cool about these small offenses, and will continue to write summons. You always have some cops that will abuse thier new power, and hopefully I will never run into those cops. In the wrong hands this could become abusive. In NYC if you get arrested, wether you did anything wrong or not, you will usually spend at least two full days in the 'Tombs' sometimes longer. The Tombs are basically small prison holding cells, used to detain you while in custody. In NYC you must WAIT to see a Judge and the assistant DA, who will determine at that time if they will prosecute you , drop the charges, plea the case down, release you for time served, ROR, or set bail and a later court date. If you are unlucky enough to get a court date and can't make bail, you will be sent to Rikers Island untill your trail is over or the Judge ROR's you. This sucks for people who were arrested for very minor/sketchy charges, or wrongfully accused. To sit in the Tombs for a couple of days with a few violent felons and other scum is a crime in itself. Been there, done that.