New Mexico woman arrested for overdue "Twilight" book

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1." A New Mexico woman was arrested for not returning series merchandise to the library. / Summit Entertainment

(AP) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A New Mexico woman was arrested and spent a night in jail for not returning the book "Twilight" and two-DVD set "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" back to the library on time.

The Albuquerque Journal reports Lori Teel was arrested and handcuffed at her Portales home in front of her five small children earlier this month for the $36 worth of library materials not returned since 2010.

Her attorney says arrest warrants were mailed last year to an address at which Teel hadn't lived since childhood, but Teal was arrested by officers investigating a disturbance.

Her charges were dismissed.

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43 Photos

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" L.A. premiere

[Haw_Haw]

being fined in america for R E A D I N G!! sounds about right. they dont come after you with the cops when you dont pay a mortgage or a CC on time!

[readynow1212]

THE JUDGE WHO SIGNED THIS WARRANT NEEDS EITHER BE FIRED OR RESIGN,

[readynow1212]

Wow this is a civil matter & not crimminal, who issued a warrant for this needs to be fired

[readynow1212]

Wow this is a civil matter & not crimminal, who issued a warrant for this needs to be fired

[ajax52151]

Lets see, we can't arrest people for being in this country illegally but we can arrest citizens for overdue library materials. What's wrong with this picture?

[howbizarre]

Why would liberals want people arrested because of overdue library material? Doesn't sound like any liberals I know.

[npvere]

As a former library employee, I'd like to clear up a few matters. No library would waste time and effort getting a warrant for someone who was only a few days overdue. Those books were due last year. Letters and warnings, possibly even a phone call, would have come first. In other words, this woman had plenty of time to get those items back to the library. And most libraries have an amnesty week when people can return books without paying a fine.

The library probably had to buy new copies, since those are popular items. And, please let me point out that most public libraries are funded through taxes, whether local property taxes, state grants, or federal help. In other words, those were your tax dollars she stole. You would be amazed at how many thousands of books are stolen from libraries. Replacements take away money that could be used for other purposes. And while I know it seems silly to get a warrant for a small amount like$36.00, I'm willing to bet that at least a dozen people in that area suddenly remembered to return library property. And from now on library patrons will be informed that the library will swear out a warrant for their arrest, which is likely to lead to more books being returned.

As I said, I know it seems silly. But they can't keep losing books and materials. Letters don't work, requests don't work, amnesty periods don't work. Maybe warrants will help. If you don't like the idea of warrants, what do you suggest the library do?

And by the way; in many libraries someone would be willing to go to the house and get the books if someone was housebound.

[readynow1212]

This is civil & not crimminal period, no warrant should have ever been allowed in the first period, if the library feels that they can't trust the public, they put a credit card hold for the amountIf I where her I would sue the library for tihs

[raevenx]

How about a debt collection service like most other libraries that I know of? I think you are truly not understanding the damaging emotional impact on that whole family (especially the children) that comes with being handcuffed and arrested. I know that I would feel completely humiliated. There is nothing criminal about failing to return a library book. It's a collections issue. Hell it takes years and massive investigation for people to go to jail for failing to pay the IRS. I would also like to know the cost of pursuing these hardened criminals using more tax payer dollars to bring this before a judge, issue a warrant, and have police house them in jail even if just overnight. It can't possibly be less expensive than putting something against someone's credit. The bottom line is that we all have crazy busy lives and we need to be reasonable thinking (and empathetic people) and consequences should fit the actions.

[matt6052]

In a world where the terrorism threat has passed and there are too many cops on the payroll...

[KnowerseekerReturns]

Uh... I would *never* borrow materials from that library. No thank you!

[audemus]

Good job....keep them serious criminals off the streets. Bet the folks in New Mexico sleep a lot better knowing the library police are earning them paychecks....

[captech30]

Just for the record, the officers have no choice. A warrant is a court order to pick someone up. The order says you SHALL do it, under penalty of the law. The officers can face charges for failing to obey the warrant if they don't follow it. There is no discretion allowed. The problem here is the prosecutor who was stupid enough to file for a warrant to begin with.

[audemus]

Thanks for the legal pointers...this law needs to be altered to reflect common sense.

[TJphoto]

I am the all powerful OZ. Don't question me. I know what's best for you. I am the government. The amazing thing here is that those in charge can't figure out why the electorate doesn't trust them.