Woman claims false imprisonment in Tulare County

A Lindsay woman has filed a claim for damages against the city and county of Tulare, alleging that she was falsely arrested and imprisoned after a traffic stop by a Tulare police officer in May.

The claim, which is often a precursor to a legal suit, states Maria Guadalupe Rodelo sustained economic, punitive and statutory damages and also asks the defendants to pay her legal fees. it was filed on her behalf by the Bakersfield law firm of Chain, Cohn and Stiles.

The suit states that on May 20, Rodelo was stopped by a Tulare officer for allegedly talking on her cell phone while driving, and that she was asked to step out of her vehicle, handcuffed and without being advised of her rights told that there were misdemeanor and felony warrants for her arrest. Rodelo denies ever being in trouble with the law and reportedly told the officer so. She was held in the Bob Wiley Detention Facility until May 22.

Melissa Withnell, a spokeswoman for the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, said County Counsel was investigating the allegations. Efforts to reach a city of Tulare spokesperson were unsuccessful.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Woman claims false imprisonment in Tulare County."