Oops! Stupid Cops Edition

Atlanta (CNN) -- When Teresa Culpepper called Atlanta police to report her car stolen, the last thing she expected was to land behind bars for 53 days in a case of mistaken identity.

Mistaken for a woman of the same first name who was wanted on a battery charge, Culpepper is now trying to return her life to normal after the ordeal cost her home and her car. Her attorney said none of it would have happened if police had followed basic procedures.

Their reason for arresting her?  Her name was Teresa, and a call had just gone out about a different Teresa (different last name, birth date and other basic information).  This woman spent nearly two months in jail and a single phone call could have cleared everything up and set her free.  I hope she wins and takes their asses to the bank.  Overnight would have been bad enough.  A week would have been freakish.  Fifty-three days is inexcusable.  Losing her home and car, and surely her job to boot would set a life back for many months.