This will still be a very unpleasant time for you, with more consequences down the line (you might miss work, for example). And if the officer can convince the

This will still be a very unpleasant time for you, with more consequences down the line (you might miss work, for example). And if the officer can convince the judge that they truly thought arresting you was reasonable, you won't get much in the way of compensation, either. Lastly, the fines don't get paid by the officer themself, so even if it is a full smack down, it won't hurt too much.