Furious over citation

MikePA · Mar 22, 2003

This happened at 6:47 A.M. as per the officers ticket. Time of day where it is daylight enought that lots of cars did NOT even have their lights on. As I had mine on, I leave them on until I get to work...
So, you didn't have to have your lights on and if they had been off, then no ticket. Bummer. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Chuck52 · Mar 22, 2003

I recall WAY above here, someone asked wehre this happened... it happened in Knox county, Kingston pike and Smith road so it's county court, not city. Bummer too, seems my attorney friend is good buddies with the city judge but doestn' know the county one very well or at all. 

OK. Now I know what probably happened. The poor cop had probably just had a run-in with my dear sainted mother. She gets stopped in that general area every once in a while. You're lucky to not be in jail.

Chuck

Egon · Mar 22, 2003

Bird has made some excellent comments.

If the system is not to your liking take the legally available appropiate steps to produce change within the system.

And remember; Stuff happens, don't get hung up on it and get on with life perhaps taking the step mentioned above if one feals severly mistreated. Be glad that is an option available to you.

Egon

BHaebe · Mar 22, 2003

I would LOVE to be in court to hear the Officer's version of this traffic stop. I know from personal experience that when a violator is stopped, the odds of him/her getting a ticket increase astronomically if the operator takes little or no accountabilty for his actions ie: a warning does not work with some drivers.

Bruce

Anonymous Poster · Mar 22, 2003

Just be happy you weren't in Rochester NY. Light out, guaranteed ticket, and FINE. Any of the surrounding towns, you can just get it fixed in 1 week and show a cop, but not in Rochester.
City cops have to generate revenue for the Mayor to spend on his pet projects.
Now there is a shooting every day in the city, but we can't have cops tied up on that, they gotta be writing equipment violations. Never mind drug dealers, unless they are doing such from an improperly lit car, write the tickets that put dollars in the Mayor's pocket.

Inspector507 · Mar 22, 2003

If you want to see what goes on in a little village I travel through a lot click here . In the first part of the story you'll see a cute website. I would post the URL here, but it may get censored.
The village's MAIN source of revenue is traffic tickets $300,000 worth of tickets a year.
If you go the other site it refers to......read all the stories. SHOCKING /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

BigDave · Mar 22, 2003

( but you were driving at night with only one light. )

Maybe, I also was driving at twilight. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sorry, I couldn't resist. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

My point is that by taking immediate action, I minimize risk of driving with only one light and being involved in an accident. I also minimize the risk of getting caught. If I do get caught, I can honestly say that it just happened and I'm one the way to get it fixed. It is up to the police officer to decide if he believes me or not. Whether I get fined or not, my receipt will still be dated the night the light went out.

O.K. that's my excuse/plan, but your point is why don't I pull over? True that is the absolutely correct thing to do, and if I get fined, then I guess I deserve it. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It certainly won't be the officer's fault. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Bird · Mar 22, 2003

( The village's MAIN source of revenue is traffic tickets $300,000 worth of tickets a year )

That has happened, unfortunately, in a lot of states in small towns. And of course it hurts the reputation of all law enforcement officers when it does. Maybe Ohio needs to get a law like Texas has now in which, if fines exceed a certain percentage of the town's budget, the surplus has to go to the state. That removes the incentive for the town to use their officers in that manner.

Phred · Mar 22, 2003

Richard,

I agree with bird and doc on this one. You knew it was wrong and the guy just did his job. It would make since to give you a break if you get it fixed, but keep in mind that cops risk their lives and get d*& little pay for it.
Also TN is pretty relaxed. Move to Virginia if you want to see agressive law enforcement. And you would get to have an annual inspection too!

You sure he wasn't mad about those heavy duty tow hooks you welded to the back and front of that offroad best? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Fred

soarkrebel · Mar 23, 2003

Trescrow down south of alexandria on I49 they have some serious speed traps . i used to drive that alot and they are out there all the time.
and have you ever been to sheridan ark?? speed trap city ! the ark democrat gazette did a story on the speed trap town!

They made a mistake once they wrote my chief. made him post a cash bond. he explained he would return the favor.
well he was chief of the town that is home to the states law enforcement academy. needless to say any sheridan pd person got a ticket for any offense. now they were legit offenses.
i so believe a sheridan police car got towed once.
now i didnt do it but it happened.