Researching NY law and ensuring I don't say something stupid. As far as I understand it, if you are not under arrest or being detained, you are free to go about your business at any time.
On another forum, I read this regarding the specific video we are discussing:
However, I'd like to make my opinion clear, the way the driver looks at the cop, then gets in the car while the cop does not want him to drive away, are both situations that I would EXPECT to give this situation the escalation we see. I don't think one is right and the other is wrong. I think the cop should have shown more restraint, and I think the driver of the Ferrari should have fought this ticket in court.
But interestingly enough, I guess in NY if you can drive away while a metermaid is writing your ticket, it's invalid. There are several case studies if you're interested; here's one:
http://nycourts.law.com/cpma/NYDOI.asp?CID=125462