Another ticket

My streak of quite a few times being pulled over without a ticket has ended. Sat in gfs drive waiting for her, cop goes by. She comes out, he is back and behind me. She says be careful, they pull over everyone out here. Lights come on. He says when I went to the stop sign(400 feet from her house), I didn't use a turning signal 100 feet before I turned. I was coming up to a stop sign and didn't know which way I was turning there. How could I get a ticket for this? Unfortunately, I also got an insurance ticket, because I couldn't find the card. He asked if I minded if he searched the car(lol), and I told him I do mind because there is no reason for it. He said that's ok, he was just asking. Luckily I guess the windows were all fogged up and he couldn't see to make any excuses. Just a bunch of junk in the back seat, clothes and blankets and junk. Didn't have anything, she thought they were going to bring a drug dog. All he would smell was the dog hair the previous owner left inside the car. I never had it detailed.

I actually didn't think a turning signal violation is citeable unless another traffic offense was committed. I just can't fathom this cop giving me this ticket. Am I supposed to know where to turn before I know which way I'm going to turn? There wasn't even any oncoming traffic.

Quote: onenickelmiracle

My streak of quite a few times being pulled over without a ticket has ended. Sat in gfs drive waiting for her, cop goes by. She comes out, he is back and behind me. She says be careful, they pull over everyone out here. Lights come on. He says when I went to the stop sign(400 feet from her house), I didn't use a turning signal 100 feet before I turned. I was coming up to a stop sign and didn't know which way I was turning there. How could I get a ticket for this? Unfortunately, I also got an insurance ticket, because I couldn't find the card. He asked if I minded if he searched the car(lol), and I told him I do mind because there is no reason for it. He said that's ok, he was just asking. Luckily I guess the windows were all fogged up and he couldn't see to make any excuses. Just a bunch of junk in the back seat, clothes and blankets and junk. Didn't have anything, she thought they were going to bring a drug dog. All he would smell was the dog hair the previous owner left inside the car. I never had it detailed.

I actually didn't think a turning signal violation is citeable unless another traffic offense was committed. I just can't fathom this cop giving me this ticket. Am I supposed to know where to turn before I know which way I'm going to turn? There wasn't even any oncoming traffic.

Whenever they have asked to search my car I have said yes, since they never found anything I think they just let me slide on the tickets I should have received.

Quote: AxelWolf

Whenever they have asked to search my car I have said yes, since they never found anything I think they just let me slide on the tickets I should have received.

I thought maybe that was the thing, but it takes a lot of time up. What if my brother had some weed in there I didn't know about. I couldn't see it worth it.

Yeah basically this is why people hate cops and being a cop is fading as a "respected" profession. It used to be just a "few bad apples" but in reality there are only a "few good apples" left. Most of the guys that become cops were bullies in high school that went to the army because they couldn't do anything else then because they were in the military they basically AUTO qualify to be a cop and make $50-$80k per year on average for continuing to be bullies. Clearly the cop was SERVING AND PROTECTING you by stalking you, and pulling you over for complete bullshit reasons before attempting to violate your personal rights.

Wow, I sound like ZK =D.... Anyways, yeah I'm not a big fan of cops... and I'm WHITE. I can't fathom being non-white in the US. The horrific racism and bias they must face...

Ugh, that's the worst. I find great satisfaction in the videos where cops pull over lawyers a d are quickly put in their place. Sounds like that cop was just bored or was going to pull you over regardless.

I do think some jurisdictions have an unwritten quota system or what effectively becomes one, with incentives to write tickets / raise revenue for the system. I know for sure Volusia County (Daytona Beach FL) had one that was busted about 20-25 years ago, and have run across many small town speed traps and setups.

Sorry you ran into a guy who was looking for an excuse. What a pain. But yeah, there are all kinds of state laws that can be enforced that allows them to pull you selectively.

It was a long time ago, but a close friend was pulled over for a busted tail-light. The cop had popped it with his baton as he walked up to the car after pulling him over. Guess my friend fit some kind of profile and the cop wanted a look. Some of them are not above that kind of crap.

Perhaps your ticket was the result of your refusing the search request. Just speculating.

I was pulled over at zero-dark-thirty on the backroads of New Hampshire with Massachusetts plates headed to the backroads of Maine. Seems I was guilty of failing to dim my headlights soon enough. Of course it was an excuse to pull me over. I was quizzed as to where I was going and why. When I said I where I was going ice fishing I was asked what I expected to catch. In a bit that question was repeated to see whether or not my answer changed. The trooper wanted to see what someone from out of state was doing in the boonies at that hour. And to see if I had been drinking or smoking. He looked at my gear in the pickup bed and it was what you would expect. He gave me a warning and that was that. Fair action? Maybe. I don’t suppose I would have a problem with cops in my town stopping vehicles that seem out of place.

Why do the cops pull over cars in that neighborhood all the time? From watching tv , it seems cops often target cars in neighborhoods with drug sales and prostitution.

You should easily be able to "beat" the insurance ticket. It's happened to me twice. All I had to do was prove that I had insurance at the time I was pulled over and they dismissed the ticket. I think I was able to fax it in one time but the other time I actually had to go to traffic court.

The turning one sounds like total B.S. though. There's no way that's legit.

Quote: onenickelmiracle

He asked if I minded if he searched the car(lol), and I told him I do mind...

Thank you for your service. Spread the word.

Insurance ticket is necessary; you're lucky they didn't do ya an impound. As stated, just show proof and it'll be ripped up. The turn ticket is interesting. It is certainly a violation, but what does one do when on a ride or working an Uber? I reckon this one's down to the temperament of Your Honor. I'd bring $200 with ya, just in case.

I'll share a good vibe story in hopes of a happy ending for you...

Was heading home after a back road car test where the test went from bad to worse and I was positively apoplectic. Everything that could've went wrong went wrong twice and I was in full rage mode in tunnel vision of red fire. I wasn't 500 meters from my drive when I got lit up. Did my pre-stop run down, and oh no...

My truck was legal but all visible stickers and tags were expired. Every tire on it was obviously bald. I was towing a trailer with no reg, bad tires, and busted lights; on it a car with no papers. All the paperwork I had in-car was expired, all my fresh papers were in my kitchen 500m away, my loaded pistol was crammed in the seat (in NY), and there were ~20 empties littered about the cab. Run down complete, it was time to dance. Put one hand out the window, one on the wheel, and heeeeere we go....

(From the bed of my truck) 5-0: License and registration, please.
Me: (hands froze in full view) I wanna start off on the right foot, here. I need to advise I've got my pistol on me and it's tucked in my seat, right here.
5-0: (approaches window) Where is it?
Me: (still froze, motioning with my eyes only) Right here, in the seat.
5-0: OK, I'm going to ask you to get out. I'll have you wait in the back of your vehicle, I'll secure the weapon, and we can continue. OK?
Me: (still frozen) Yessir.
5-0: (waits)
Me: (waits)
5-0: (waits)
Me: I, uh... I gotta unbuckle. So...
5-0: Is OK. Just do it slow.
Me: (makes obvious pointing gesture, reach down with pointed hand to push buckle release. Release and get out)

I get out and wait. I got a quarter of an eye on him to make sure he doesn't scratch my piece but otherwise am just working myself into the stroke this guy interrupted me from. Eventually he's got my firearm empty and splayed on the hood; he advises me I can return to my truck and to just leave the pistol for the time being. I oblige.

~10min or whatever later he approaches my truck, smiling.
5-0: How many you have?
Me: Huh?
5-0: What's up with those beers? (points to empties on floor)
Me: Oh, they're old
5-0: OK, good. You know your sticker here went dead on 10/15?
Me: Hehe, yeah. It's old, the new one is sitting on my kitchen counter. But it is good. You know, legal and s#$%.
5-0: So we got an old tag on the trailer, and that's what I wrote. You got an old tag on the truck, please fix it. Old beers, get rid of them. And your... man, your tires are shot. All 4 of them, you know that?
Me: Yeah haha,... they're (haha)... they're old, too!
5-0: (laughs) OK, get your papers in the truck and, hey,...you handled this exactly the way we want. Thank you for the effort
Me: Of course, and thank you. Stay safe.
(shake hands)
(end scene)

Went to court a month later. Court time 1800. I show up late, 1755. I'm called as soon as I sit.
Judge: Mr Face, you've been charged with expired registration, would you care to speak for yourself?
Face: Apologies, Your Honor. My race car died and it borked my schedule, I didn't expect to need the trailer until May. It's good now, but... I was just in a pinch.
Judge: OK, Mr Face. I submit a conditional release, I assume that works for you. (starts packing up paperwork)
Face: I... uh...
Judge: Conditional.
Face: So... uh...
Judge: Don't do it again.
Face:.... that's it?
Judge: Will you do this again?
Face: No?
Judge: Then you are free to go.

Left court at 1805.

Fingers crossed, $0.05.

I think the problem here is this particular cop has it in for ONM - maybe he is secretly the "other guy" in that story with the flowers ?

You should definitely go to court. Do not just pay this ticket. Buy a book on how to beat tickets, they're cheap.

That advice depends on your driving record, if it blows already you should just pay the ticket. If you go, take a copy of your [good] driving record. I had a cop lie about my driving record to the judge, they just take his word for it - and I didn't have a copy of it.

PS: you did the right thing not agreeing to the search

Here's what I don't get...

If you get pulled over by a crooked cop just dying to pin something on you because he's racist or trying to hit a quota or whatever, is he really going to care that you don't consent to a search or ask if you're being detained? I mean, he's CROOKED. He's going to make something up and search your car anyway, or find some BS reason to detain you. Even if he's wrong and you don't get in any trouble in the long run, he's still made your life hell for the day/week/month.

This strategy only seems like it would work on a straight cop, who isn't likely to be hassling you in the first place.

Quote: TigerWu

This strategy only seems like it would work on a straight cop, who isn't likely to be hassling you in the first place.

A cop who has it in for you has all the resources in the world to make you miserable. He will have your vehicle searched whether or not you agree to it or not, if he is such an ass.

At the same time, it is just possible he has been getting in trouble with his superiors too. If you show you are calm , collected, and know your rights, he might decide he has to be careful. It is to no real benefit to "show you are cooperating" and as the video shows, he is likely bluffing to say "things will go better if you cooperate". If you fall for it, he loses respect.

If he has it in for you, maybe nothing you do will matter. But you can assert you clearly said no search in court, that matters.

btw the last time I got pulled over, I lost my temper [somewhat]. That's the worst thing you can do, but I got lucky.

Quote: TigerWu

Here's what I don't get...

If you get pulled over by a crooked cop just dying to pin something on you because he's racist or trying to hit a quota or whatever, is he really going to care that you don't consent to a search or ask if you're being detained? I mean, he's CROOKED. He's going to make something up and search your car anyway, or find some BS reason to detain you. Even if he's wrong and you don't get in any trouble in the long run, he's still made your life hell for the day/week/month.

This strategy only seems like it would work on a straight cop, who isn't likely to be hassling you in the first place.

Options, my friend.

You saying "OK" forfeits your rights. If you did a rolling stop and got caught, and you knew you were in the wrong, and the cop demanded you admit it as well as pay him $150 on the spot, would you do it? Most people would demand their right to due process; I can't for the life of me understand how anyone would be so cavalier about it. Lemme in your car, lemme in your house, gimme your guns, don't vote, stop praying. ALL of these should engender the feeling and cause the expression - "F#$% you".

You may be right in that they'll "just make up a reason". Make them. A lawyer can do much with how you are treated. A lawyer can't do f#$% all with what you did to yourself.

And yeah, making your life hell for a week-month is garbage. But the same type that'll make it miserable for a week or month wouldn't think twice of ruining it for 5-10.

This is a numbers forum, yes? You really gonna risk years of your life and a criminal record just to "win" a less stressful 30min?

Say it with me - "I DO NOT CONSENT TO SEARCHES"

you don't want the officer to find so much as an old empty beer can in your trunk

of course if he was a good guy, so what, but that guy wouldn't search the vehicle

if he is such an ass as to search anyway after you said no, maybe he now wants you to blow in the tube

lots of scenarios

4th Amendment. Worth defending.

OMG. The judge was such a power hungry B***H. I'm probably going to have to hire a lawyer. I have nothing on my record, and it's going to stay that way. She talks weird, likes illllllll-llllllayggggggggal. She intentionally ignored a question and answered another one, I know it had to be intentional, she is just a B***H. I got put on time-out.

Quote: odiousgambit

you don't want the officer to find so much as an old empty beer can in your trunk

of course if he was a good guy, so what, but that guy wouldn't search the vehicle

if he is such an ass as to search anyway after you said no, maybe he now wants you to blow in the tube

lots of scenarios

Right after the nickel bottle deposit law went into effect, my friends were driving and drinking when we were pulled over. There were at least a half dozen open but empty beer cans in plain sight, with many more kicked under the front seats. Officer asked what we were doing with all the empty cans. With as totally straight face, the passenger replied they were in case we had to make an emergency phone call. The officer just lost it. The response was so nuts he almost spit in the drivers face he laughed so hard. We had such a moment he couldn't issue a ticket after that.

Quote: billryan

Right after the nickel bottle deposit law went into effect, my friends were driving and drinking when we were pulled over. There were at least a half dozen open but empty beer cans in plain sight, with many more kicked under the front seats. Officer asked what we were doing with all the empty cans. With as totally straight face, the passenger replied they were in case we had to make an emergency phone call. The officer just lost it. The response was so nuts he almost spit in the drivers face he laughed so hard. We had such a moment he couldn't issue a ticket after that.

I have never had a ticket. Only pulled over 2 times. One was for headlight covers on my mustang. Cop told me to take them off. Other was for going 85 in a 65. Cop pulls me over. I am in a suit. He asks if I knew how fast I was going. I say.. officer, I had this weird sense you were sitting up here so I let off the gas. Qas going around 120 so not sure what you got me at. He laughed hard in amazement. Asked why where I was going. Told him Inwas late for a business meeting with a large life changing potential client. He said since I was honest about my speed and had a valid reason he would let me go. Then told me there was another cop sitting up the road about 5 miles. Last time I was ever pulled over and that was in 2004.

Quote: GWAE

I have never had a ticket. Only pulled over 2 times. One was for headlight covers on my mustang. Cop told me to take them off. Other was for going 85 in a 65. Cop pulls me over. I am in a suit. He asks if I knew how fast I was going. I say.. officer, I had this weird sense you were sitting up here so I let off the gas. Qas going around 120 so not sure what you got me at. He laughed hard in amazement. Asked why where I was going. Told him Inwas late for a business meeting with a large life changing potential client. He said since I was honest about my speed and had a valid reason he would let me go. Then told me there was another cop sitting up the road about 5 miles. Last time I was ever pulled over and that was in 2004.

I get pulled over all the time because I'm a great driver, for me. Idgaf.

Quote: onenickelmiracle

I get pulled over all the time because I'm a great driver, for me. Idgaf.

I am very cautious. I really prefer not to waste $150. Also have never been in a wreck.

A friend of mine used to regularly take a shortcut through an industrial estate, late at night and was frequently stopped to explain his presence there and asked what was in his trunk*

So one day, when challenged, he just said "I'm shifting a grand piano for my nephew"
"OK Wise guy, Step out and open the trunk"*
And there it was, all alone in the center* of his trunk*: A 10 inch kiddy's grand piano!
"Very funny sunshine. On your way"
They never bothered him again.

* It was 'boot' and 'centre', but I paraphrased into American for you $:o)

Isn't the stat something like 90%
of the tickets are gotten by 10%
of the drivers on the road.

Fact- The Nations Highways are dangerous.
Fact- The more time you spend on them ,
the more likely it is you are involved in a serious accident.
Fact- Going over the speed limit lessens the time you spend
on the Nations Highways.
Conclusion- Going over the speed limit reduces your chances
of getting in an accident.


It beats the heck out of a Sovereign Citizen stand.

Quote: billryan

Fact- The Nations Highways are dangerous.
Fact- The more time you spend on them ,
the more likely it is you are involved in a serious accident.
Fact- Going over the speed limit lessens the time you spend
on the Nations Highways.
Conclusion- Going over the speed limit reduces your chances
of getting in an accident.


It beats the heck out of a Sovereign Citizen stand.

Fact the speed limits are set based on the safest traveling speed. Going over that makes it more dangerous

Idk about any of you droned-out sheeple, but no way in hell am I gonna let a cop or anyone search my car if I'm not legally compelled to do so. It's just a fishing expedition on their behalf. I might have money, casino chips, and other stuff that I don't want a cop to see. Even a couple thousand dollars might make them suspicious....and I ain't gonna let no cops get "suspicious" because I have money or casino chips.


If a cop wants to search your car -- that is NOT the type of person you want to be searching your car.

Quote: billryan

Fact- The Nations Highways are dangerous.
Fact- The more time you spend on them ,
the more likely it is you are involved in a serious accident.
Fact- Going over the speed limit lessens the time you spend
on the Nations Highways.
Conclusion- Going over the speed limit reduces your chances
of getting in an accident.


It beats the heck out of a Sovereign Citizen stand.

Most of the time you get tickets, you're out of town in unknown areas. It wasn't the first time and wasn't the first town I have been pulled over in unfamiliar areas this year for not using a turning signal changing lanes.

I completely overlooked this fact, I probably got the ticket, not because I didn't consent to the search, but because I couldn't find the insurance card. He had to make sure I either had insurance or didn't. Unfortunately I got a copy before he gave me the ticket but not before he came back. I didn't like how the judge said things like this or that is illlll-llllaaay-gal. She shouldn't be saying things like this, shows predetermination of guilt before trial. I'm not worried about this thing, I will just take care of what I need to do, and not waste time.

I fought a ticket and won once, but it took several trips to the court .

I appealed the verdict that the traffic court judge doled out [also a woman]. In the appeal I found out that traffic court is *officially* considered kangaroo court in VA [they have some Latin term for that]. I could prove the officer lied about my driving record, but turns out kangaroos keep no records, thus it was just my assertion.

PS, trying to look it up, "atrium arbiter honorarius medium" is probably what the appeals court judge said traffic court was considered

Quote: OnceDear

A friend of mine used to regularly take a shortcut through an industrial estate, late at night and was frequently stopped to explain his presence there and asked what was in his trunk*

So one day, when challenged, he just said "I'm shifting a grand piano for my nephew"
"OK Wise guy, Step out and open the trunk"*
And there it was, all alone in the center* of his trunk*: A 10 inch kiddy's grand piano!
"Very funny sunshine. On your way"
They never bothered him again.

* It was 'boot' and 'centre', but I paraphrased into American for you $:o)

You should have also "translated" shifting to moving. Shifting is close to shifty. :)
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/shifty

I'm guilty this time. I actually put up a good fight, made the officer quite nervous, but what I brought up was not material to the case. He had to sign off on the ticket under penalty of perjury, and there were three errors. Somehow I think they put up my sisters birthday and her eye color, and he listed the wrong road the citation was to be done. He also lied, about the event. He told me I used a turning signal before I turned, but not 100 feet before the turn, but in court, he said I turned at the stop sign, but then used a turning signal after I turned. Although these errors were deemed immaterial, he said I looked 48. Anybody that knew me, knows, I look ten years younger than I am. How could he say I look 48, I think it shows he is just saying what they want to hear. I didn't take the stand, maybe I should have, but I didn't want to because I didn't remember. I blew this case, it baffles me, that you can be lost and get a ticket for it and be guilty. That dirty cop lied, take out your blue light bulbs. All I can say is for no cost at all, I wasted the judge's time, the pig's time, and the prosecutor's time. Apparently I had to pay $14 for the bailiff. I suck as an attorney, really had no time to put up for the case. I've been completely exhausted lately, I've lost a lot of sleep, usually don't need it, but 3 hours isn't enough for me. I'm not even sure I made my point. Wish I could ask the judge to reconsider, but she is a b**** everyone I hear who knows about her says and she is being voted out I'm told. Truthfully, I should have gone for a continuance, but I pretty much assumed I would procrastinate and not put any more time into it than I did in the end, 10 minutes. Appeals are too expensive to just try I'm told. It sucks, I'm rambling.

This really sucks. I'm lost all the time using GPS, I could lose my license just for going places I don't know I'm going before I'm going. The police normally don't give tickets for this, usually warnings. If I had had my insurance proof with me, I probably would have been given a warning. My lucky streak is over. The last 3 times I was pulled over, didn't have it I don't think.