Originally Posted by
kokonutz
...I acknowledge that cops have a certain very limited discretion to deal with a potential violation of the law. But a cop is a cop, not a judge, jury nor penal official. She had no right to put that woman on a virtual chain gang. What is this, Let's Make a Deal?...
This discretion is much less limited than you acknowledge. A demand from a cop that you pick up something you just littered is not a usurptation of the roles of judge, jury nor penal official. If you refuse to comply, the cop may not judge you guilty, nor may he/she sentence you to jail time or a fine. The cop's sole recourse if you don't comply is to cite you for the infraction.
You may well argue for a change in the law, but understand what the law is before you do that.