ARRRRR! Speeding Ticket

[jhmover]

LOL my dad got pulled over (he started driving during WWII) in Oakland, this was before they had radios on the motorcycles the police used. The cop is standing around and standing around, my dad finally asked him to write the ticket so he could get going. The cop got red-faced and finally told my dad he had no tickets in his ticket book and was hoping another cop would drive by so he could use one of his tickets. Then he let my dad go.

Then when I was about 13 my mom makes a left turn and the light had (according to the CHP) changed red before she turned so he pulled her over. So she's pissed and sitting on the freeway on ramp for Hwy 17 South at Camden Ave. The cop was about to start writing the ticket and along goes some dude in a red corvette going down 17 at about 90-100 mph. The cop tells my mother you're lucky today I have bigger fish to fry, runs back to his car, jumps in and does a major burnout going after the vette.

I should be so lucky.:nopity:

 

[skippy3k]

Swa j-Ten - If I were you, I would spend some more time reading your shop manual and less time trying to make witty comebacks and padding your post count.

As for the ticket, one thing I learned is that if you got to court to contest your ticket (hoping the cop doesn't show up), forget about it. The cops almost ALWAYS show up to court. It gives them a chance to hang out and see their friends. I tried to contest my ticket, and the courtroom was filled with cops. And they all have photographic memories as to what was said during the traffic stop. I think there were at least 30 cases that day, and only 1 cop didn't show up.

And the court always sides with the police. As well they should, because you should have heard some of the excuses. One lady said she was speeding through thick fog because "it was dangerous to drive through it, so I wanted to get out of it faster."

It sounds like your situation is a little different though. Good luck.

Scott

 

[jhmover]

Man I about peed my pants laughing over that fog excuse.

 

[nomad]

1. Get all your ducks in a row (facts only).

2. Photos ( excellent).

3. Court room demeanor Pleasant proffessional do not go after the Officer, the judge will be seriously pissed if you turn it to appear that your going after the cop. Emphasize the stupidity of the signage blame the city be humble etc etc.

4. Simply turn up, chances are the cop might not even show, depending on how busy the station is and how much time he has on the job. In CA I didn't always have the burning desire to fight it in court with a Jackass trying to get off a speeding ticket, especially for a few above the limit.

5. For future ref: think 2 below 10 above. It specially works on highway troopers.

Remember. do not go after the cops credability go after MOdots / city council ordinance stupidity on signage.

 

[Bannon88]

1. Get all your ducks in a row (facts only).

2. Photos ( excellent).

3. Court room demeanor Pleasant proffessional do not go after the Officer, the judge will be seriously pissed if you turn it to appear that your going after the cop. Emphasize the stupidity of the signage blame the city be humble etc etc.

4. Simply turn up, chances are the cop might not even show, depending on how busy the station is and how much time he has on the job. In CA I didn't always have the burning desire to fight it in court with a Jackass trying to get off a speeding ticket, especially for a few above the limit.

5. For future ref: think 2 below 10 above. It specially works on highway troopers.

Remember. do not go after the cops credability go after MOdots / city council ordinance stupidity on signage.

One thing I've learned from my wife is to ask for a continuance due to some " out of town on business excuse", this leads to a new court date, then at the last minute ask for all calibration records for the radar gun. Often this will lead to another continuance, the cop just doesn't show up due to confusion.

Either way, it isn't the cops fault, he didn't put up all three signs.

 

[p m]

Swa j-Ten - If I were you, I would spend some more time reading your shop manual and less time trying to make witty comebacks and padding your post count.

:applause:

As for the ticket, one thing I learned is that if you got to court to contest your ticket (hoping the cop doesn't show up), forget about it. The cops almost ALWAYS show up to court. It gives them a chance to hang out and see their friends. I tried to contest my ticket, and the courtroom was filled with cops. And they all have photographic memories as to what was said during the traffic stop. I think there were at least 30 cases that day, and only 1 cop didn't show up.

But then, if you don't show up, your chances of winning are exactly zero.
FWIW, I've won two traffic cases out of two, in one I was absolutely not at fault, and in one I absolutely was (that was "guilty with explanation" - but it ended up with citation dismissed.
In both cases, cops showed up, with diagrams and photos. I was able to show that the diagrams were incorrect, and the photos were taken from places where it would be illegal for a motorist to be at all, and on a wrong time of day etc.

 

[Bannon88]

:applause:

But then, if you don't show up, your chances of winning are exactly zero.
FWIW, I've won two traffic cases out of two, in one I was absolutely not at fault, and in one I absolutely was (that was "guilty with explanation" - but it ended up with citation dismissed.
In both cases, cops showed up, with diagrams and photos. I was able to show that the diagrams were incorrect, and the photos were taken from places where it would be illegal for a motorist to be at all, and on a wrong time of day etc.

I know this cop was strictly out to write ticket that morning.

After talking to my wife (read hard questioning), the cop only asked for my license.
I live in IL, ticket issed in MO. So an out of state driver doesn't get asked to show proof of insurance or a vehicle registration? My wife thought that was a bit odd, she told me that is a big tip off to the cop wanting to issue tickets. He wanted to write it and get back to his spot to write another.

PM,

Your dead on about the photos, I think they will work in my favor.

 

[spydrjon]

Good luck. When I was working in Biloxi MS, I got a ticket, while in a Company car, for driving off the road. The cop said I was trying to circumvent traffic. Not only did the city prosecutor dismiss the case, but I actually got an apology from the Judge and he thanked me for being there, doing the work I was doing.

Another shining example of the stupidity of the "zero tolerance" mentality of some.

 

[ptschram]

And the court always sides with the police. As well they should,

Scott

What? Nobody's perfect and cops can have agendas too, also, way too many cops forget a coupla very important things. First off, every person a LEO has contact with is, by definition, innocent. Secondly, they all too often become jaded and forget that the vast majority of the folks they have contact with have not committed an infraction, much less a crime.

 

[skippy3k]

What? Nobody's perfect and cops can have agendas too, also, way too many cops forget a coupla very important things. First off, every person a LEO has contact with is, by definition, innocent. Secondly, they all too often become jaded and forget that the vast majority of the folks they have contact with have not committed an infraction, much less a crime.

I meant the court sided with the police on the day I was there...and well they should because of the ridiculous excuses people had.

My "excuse" was I was going with the flow of traffic, and although others were passing me like I was standing still, the cop choose to pull me over. The court said the cop can choose whomever they want, even though others were going faster. I said "good to know" and thanked the court.

Scott

 

[cyoc62]

Don't try to work any angles. Appear when you're supposed to with your evidence or just pay the fine. Unless your attorney cancels on your behalf, or you have some emergency that directly affects you, don't play that shit, it won't work.

Cops don't necessarily have to ask for registration and insurance info. By calling in you license# (the one on your veh.), some states will give all that plus some info. This can be almost immediate or it can take some time.

Cops go to court to hang out with their friends...:smilelol: :smilelol: :rofl: Cops go to court because they are required to appear for their cases. If they don't show, most will be reprimanded in some way. And if he is running late, the judge will normally give him the option to postpone or appear, all be it late. Sorry but you don't get that option, when you appear.

PT-cops are people too, just like those idots who don't keep their fluids filled and clean. Just making a point.

 

[Bannon88]

Don't try to work any angles. Appear when you're supposed to with your evidence or just pay the fine. Unless your attorney cancels on your behalf, or you have some emergency that directly affects you, don't play that shit, it won't work.

You must not attend court on a regular basis. I've gone to watch my wife and her partners work cases. This happens all the time, it's called strategy. The defense uses it to cause confusion in dates and times. And it works, in particular it works in speeding ticket and traffic violation hearings.

 

[Chris-St Louis]

I've gone to watch my wife and her partners work.

I didn't see you there. :smilelol:

 

[Bannon88]

I didn't see you there. :smilelol:

Christ, that's twice in one thread. What's wrong with you?:applause:

 

[Chris-St Louis]

Oh man, I am on a ROLL!

 

[Randy]

4. Simply turn up, chances are the cop might not even show, depending on how busy the station is and how much time he has on the job. In CA I didn't always have the burning desire to fight it in court with a Jackass trying to get off a speeding ticket, especially for a few above the limit.

Might help to call in a bank robbery or something 15 minutes before the court date/time.

 

[Bluewater]

You can pay the ticket or pay the court fees either way the city wins. I got a ticket for going 80 in a 55 couldn't really bullshit my way out of that one.

 

[Bannon88]

You can pay the ticket or pay the court fees either way the city wins. I got a ticket for going 80 in a 55 couldn't really bullshit my way out of that one.

Pay ticket....$69.50, plus adjusted insurance rate?????

Get ticket tossed and pay $24.00 court cost.

Yeah, the city can win the latter. I really don't care, about the $24, it's the insurance rate that goes with $69.50 ticket that hurts.

 

[antichrist]

I sure wish the police here would enforce the school zone speed limits.

They Do.

Not anywhere I drive in Atlanta. I always do the speed limit in school zones during the affected hours, and on 4 lane roads people blow by me like no tomorrow. On two lane roads I've had people right on my bumper blowing their horn and flashing their headlights.

 

[cyoc62]

Might help to call in a bank robbery or something 15 minutes before the court date/time.

yeah! :applause:

Bannon-you're right, I never "hung out" at court. I scheduled my cases, presented my evidence, got a verdict or contiuance and got out of there. If someone I knew was there we talked. But please don't be so naive as to think cops schedule their court dates to hang with buddies, that's just stupid!

If stalling and cancelling confused the officer, he/she was an idiot anyway. How the fuck can you confuse a date and time when that shit is on the ticket? :yawn:

Defense: Mr. Officer, the date on this ticket shows 11 Oct 2006; are you sure you didn't write it on 10 Oct 2006?

Mr. Officer: Uhh, well...ummm...maybe...

Come on man. :smilelol: