Son of a....

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:48 am

I was hungry, and we didn't have anything I wanted to eat, so I decided to go to 7-11.

On the way there, I got pulled over for speeding. 7-11 is 2 miles away, at best. Damn.

I got tagged for 39 in a 30. $65 and 1 point.

I'm gonna go to court and try to at least get the point dropped.

That was my run-in with the law today. Kinda sucks, but it could have been worse. He didn't say anything about my mods, but he did scan the interior and focus on the boost gauge for a few seconds.

Yukonart · Post by **Yukonart** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:56 am

Your stomach got the best of you, Phil.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:57 am

I know! And I chose to go to the GOOD 7-11. Aint that a bitch?

9 mph over, oh well, it's not the end of the world.

Yukonart · Post by **Yukonart** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:59 am

Are you sure you weren't really street racing?

-K- · Post by **-K-** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:59 am

He was looking for a reason to search the car is my guess.

legacy92ej22t · Post by **legacy92ej22t** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:09 am

Damn, that sucks. 1 point is nothing though. I have one point, many times over, myself.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:21 am

Yukonart wrote:Are you sure you weren't really street racing?

I was street racing an imaginary Yugo.

-K- Maybe. He asked if I still lived at my address (I do, I have a change of address card because I was issued a new license due to a drivers license number issue), and I said yes, and he asked why I had the card, and I was stuttering trying to spit out why. He probably thought I was drunk or something. He could search the car all he wanted, I had lots of heavy stuff in there, and nothing illegal. I had a sawzall, an LSD, a jack, and a WRX shift linkage, and a few boxes of other parts and tools.

Matt - Yea, 1 point isn't to bad. Still enough for me to go to court over and try to get it dropped.

It is my first ticket afterall. And 11pm on a Sunday night, for 9mph over, come on now.

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:29 am

LSD..... they'll take you to jail for that

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:44 am

I was... uhh.. .holding it for a friend...

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:48 am

"That's not my trunk! I'm borrowing it from a friend."

Steve

legacy92ej22t · Post by **legacy92ej22t** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:15 am

93Leg-c · Post by **93Leg-c** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:15 am

One insurance man said getting cited for going 9 mph over the speed limit is called a "chicken ticket" in the insurance industry. I asked why it was called a chicken ticket. He replied, "Cuz they can't catch anyone going faster than that. Anything under 10 over is a chicken ticket."

93Leg-c · Post by **93Leg-c** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:16 am

BTW, if this is your first ticket, the court should let you go to defensive driving school and they will drop the 1 point.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:17 am

My friend was trying to tell me that the cop could tell the judge that he lowered the ticket already (he did, lowered it from 46 in a 30 to 39 in a 30). But I don't think he can, because the ticket has a disclaimer that says:

"I solemnly affirm under penalty of perjury that the contents of the foregoing document are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief" and he signed it.

So I don't think he can say he lowered it, or he'd be comitting perjury.

So I wonder what will happen. I plan on just pleading guilty and hoping they drop the points.

I simply wasn't paying attention to my speed, I was just trying to get some sour patch kids.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:31 pm

Sour Patch Kids are awesome! I suppose if you're going to get picked off for some kind of food, that's the food to get nailed for. The only thing I hate about them is that I eat too many and my mouth gets all messed up from the sugar.

Steve

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:05 pm

Yea, exactly! Your tounge gets cut up, and everything tastes funny.

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:08 pm

they're still worth it!

plead not guilty, they'll at least lower it.

93Leg-c · Post by **93Leg-c** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:15 am

I'm a proponent of being truthful and taking responsibility for our own actions.

I'd say the best thing you can do is be very respectful by your dress, attitude, words, and body english. Whether you plead guilty or not guilty, you will still be penalized in some way--it's the law.

Judges are usually good at "reading" people so they can tell if you're speaking truthfully or not. I've talked to a few judges in the past and, believe it or not, they are human. Many will do the best they can to give the violator of the law the best possible breaks if they see that they are respectful, truthful, and willing to take responsibility for their action.

And, it doesn't hurt to apologize--yes, apologize, for the potential dangers that existed while you were speeding (even though unintentionally), for the time the police officer and the court had to spend processing your case, things like that.

But you have to really mean it with your whole soul; otherwise, the judge will see through it.

And even if you get an "insensitive" judge, you'll walk away with your self-respect.

So, very probably, you will receive a penalty of a monetary fine and 1 point. The fine you will probably have to pay but the point will be removed if you take the defensive driving class. And, as you probably already know, the more points on your driving record, the higher your insurance premium will be and if you get too many points, your license will be taken away.

If this is going to be your first time at court, it will be a learning experience. Make it a "good" one, one that reinforces your desire to be a responsible, mature citizen and person.

This post was not meant to be a lecture. I apologize in advance if it seems that way. I meant it to be of some encouragement and support to you, BAC. I was going to tell you of my experience but this post is already lengthy.

Hope all goes well. Let us know the outcome.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:06 am

Lol, I was unsure how I should interpret the tone of that post. Was it meant to scold me, as if a child who reached into the cookie jar before dinner? Or belittle me, as if I was a deviant and repeat offender? Or simply to give tips from experience? I'm glad you clarified, lol. I was a bit confused, but I understand now

I broke the law, most definately. I'm man enough to admit it. There aren't any excuses, no reasons, no "but he" or "but I" or anything like that. I was actually going faster than the ticket was for, and I caught a little break with the cop. I plan to plead guilty, with the request that the points be dropped through mercy of the court (based on the time and traffic) or a driver improvement course. I was speeding, so pleading not guilty would just shoot me in the foot. I'd rather just be honest, and make the request, and see where it goes from there. I don't care about the monetary fine.

93Leg-c · Post by **93Leg-c** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:15 am

Just to assure you, it was tips from experience, none of the other-mentioned possibilities.

Judging from your posts, I think you'll do fine.

From my experience, I did all what I posted and a little more and I really felt and meant what I said. The police captain had a look on his face like he wished he hadn't given me the ticket. The judge looked like he was trying to figure out how to let me off without a fine and he actually said so in the end but said that he was required by law to levy the minimum fine on me.

Brat4by4 · Post by **Brat4by4** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 5:38 pm

93Leg-c wrote:I'm a proponent of being truthful and taking responsibility for our own actions.

Well, knowing the law helps, too. This varies from place to place, but getting a ticket doesn't necessarily mean you have broke the law or got "caught". In most cases, the "speed limit" is just a basis for determining if the speeds are unsafe in a particular case. What happens is that if you get ticketed for going over this predetermined speed they have a prima facie case that you might have been unsafe. Then the idea is that you go to court and the judge will determine with all the circumstances and evidence whether this is true or not.

Unfortunately, everyone knows it is much easier to just say everyone is guilty and everyone pays fines and no one complains because everyone is making money (and the driver thinks they are a bad citizen, and took responsibility for their dastardly actions). So you go in, they make it sound like you are guilty until proven innocent, get shanghai'd, pay your fine and go home.

In most cases, I know especially here in Ohio, its the speed limit which is illegal according to provisions setup for Federal Highways and laws Ohio setup itself. Now trying to fight to fix a mistake (and a huge moneymaker) in just about every durisdicition in the state, insurmountable.

Tleg93 · Post by **Tleg93** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:57 pm

I'm a proponent of being truthful to a point unless it's going to get you in serious trouble, then I think it's ok to do whatever you must to get off as light as you can. The 'justice' system is skewed way in favor of the cops and legal agents. Most cops, judges, etc. don't give a damn if you do right or not, they're just there to collect the fees. I'm not an advocate of crime but taking it in the rear for the 'truth' is what the little people do.

This isn't meant to be insulting or standoffish but the truth is that there's two sets of laws out there. One for the little people (you and me) and one for the big (rich and influential) people. If you don't believe me take a look at how often poor black citizens, for example, are convicted VS white influential citizens for the same crime not to mention those people in law enforcement who drink and drive, speed and do ALL the things we 'civilians' can't do. In PA a little while ago there was a state lawmaker who was drunk driving and he hit and killed a motorcyclist. He got off with a fine and probation, if even that, I can't recall but it was nothing like what would happen if it were you or me.

My mother worked in law enforcement for 25 years and some of the things she told me would shock and offend. I've also known plenty of officers, prison guards etc. and even myself who got off on charges that would land an unconnected person in the hoosgow. So if you want to be and upright citizen, go for it, but step out of line and you'll be made an example of.

I'd tell you to talk to a lawyer and see if they think they can get you a lighter penalty but don't count on it.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:08 pm

It's only 65 bucks and 1 point. It's not like I was recklessly careening down the street, taking out mail boxes and small children.

I'll take my chances in court, and just ask that the point be dropped.

Tleg93 · Post by **Tleg93** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:20 pm

True, I didn't mean to go on a huge speal about the law. I'm anti-establishment I guess. I get pissed at how they pop you for speeding when there's a crackhead killing a family somewhere. Sorry, I just get fired up about the inequity of the law.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:48 pm

Scott is the man! I mean, not the man ... er, um, I agree with him.

Steve

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