Fucking cops

[Anyway]

Tonight I feel as if i've been robbed or conned by a police officer. It's insane how angry I am at the moment.

I was driving home from work at about 11:30pm, turned left on the highway (50 mph zone) and started to drive. I noticed in my rear view that a cop was behind me back at the light waiting on a red. Sooo I knew right away not to speed. I went at most about 53 mph for the next 2 lights when I hit a red. He's right behind me now. Proceeds to pull me over.

Cop: Do you know why I pulled you over?
Me: No, officer I honestly do not.
Cop: I paced you at 72.
Me: What? You're serious? I was not going above 55 officer.
Cop: You can tell that to the judge.

Walks back to car. Sits for 10 minutes writing the ticket and chatting with the other cop that came to assist in this complicated case. Then comes back and hands me the ticket.

Me: Well wait a second, I have a question, can I ask a question? When you say pace you mean you weren't using your radar, you were guesstimating, correct?
Cop: That's the type of question you can ask me in court.
Me: No it's a simple question, can I have an answer?
Cop: I'm not going to stand out here on this dark highway risking my life. You can call the number on the back of the ticket if you have any questions.
Me: Can I call now? Like right now?(now im getting pissed)
Cop: Sure, you can call and plead guilty.
Me: See you in court.


Now, exactly what the fuck do I do? Anybody out there experience this type of thing before? How do I defend this case when my major defense is that he's a straight up fucking liar. Is that what I do? I feel like 'what the fuck' cause I didn't do something I was accused of and have no idea how to prove that. This is like a 200$ ticket, 4 points.

I'm not asking for legal advice cause I know some smart ass is going to post the tired old "BG: Giving legal advice since blah blah blah" I'm asking for opinions and/or similar situations.

[Anderian]

Wow, holy shit that sucks... being european myself, I really have no insight to offer on US legal system, so the best I can offer is my sympathy. :\

[absolutezero]

well few things

#1 there is a video in cops car ask for that video to be show as proof now just know that it doesnt show speeds but as most ppl can tell there is a huge gap between 55-72

#2 since its not radar its not stone proof, so push that point, also push you saw the cop couple minutes before he pulled you

#3 pray you have a good judge XD

[Yangsing]

So the other cop didn't see anything? It's that cops against yours. Hope you have a clean record.

[Milks]

Cops have to a quota to meet when it comes to writing tickets. He's probably trying to get fill his quota early so he can slack off for the rest of the month.

[Correction]

When tickets are challenged in court, they're often thrown out because the cop never shows up.

So you got that going for you.

And yeah, it helps to have a heretofore immaculae driving record.

[sephir]

fight the ticket in court. Most police officers wont bother showing up in court to defend the ticket and so you can plead your own case to the judge. If not, they usually try to get you to settle outside of the courtroom for a much less significant fine.

[Koga]

That's like the time I got pulled over...

Car was tailing me at night so I kept going faster and faster and then he finally backs off and 10 seconds later i see the lights flashing and then
>> Whats the rush tonight?
<< None really, just seemed like you were hugging my car really closely
>> I clocked you going at 95
<< That's what it took to get you to back off of me.


Fucker tailed me and then gives me a ticket... $315....

[Bunnykillah]

Pacing that late at night is retarded. I think everything seems to move faster in the dark. I would fight it in court. Like other people said, there is a slim chance that the cop will show up for court thus the case being thrown out anyways.

[Norelco]

I don't think you have much legal recourse. It's your word against an officer of the law. The judge will side with them every damn time. Just hope he doesn't show up in court.

[Arauge]

When tickets are challenged in court, they're often thrown out because the cop never shows up.

So you got that going for you.

And yeah, it helps to have a heretofore immaculae driving record.

This is the correct answer. In traffic cases the police almost never show up to try to fight a ticket. They have to take unpaid time off in most situations, for a ticket that doesn't mean anything to them.

Most people just pay the fine without attempting to go to court because they're afraid the court will automatically side with the police, but most people with real experience in this will tell you that most judges are pretty used to seeing this kind of crap and can see with reason.

Just show up to court the day the ticket lists and explain it to the judge. They may or may not remove the fine but normally they'll knock the points off without much debate.

[Jeveh]

I dunno what state you guys are from but in PA:

1. Police have no quota of tickets they must write.
2. They get paid to show up in court and are often even on duty when the hearing takes place.
3. (Best Bet) Most officers will drop the moving violation points which lets you keep your license. You may or may not end up paying less of a fine.

I know this because of family and such. Ive also beaten 4 police officers 2 Maryland, 1 virginia and 1 New Jersey cop in court. 90% of the time the cop will pull you over for doing 7 miles over the speed limit while that guy who flies down the shoulder when there is bumper to bumper traffic goes untouched. There is no trick to winning, jnust hope for luck and stick to your guns DO NOT change your story. If you do, you lose.

[Yeargdribble]

Not that this will sound very promising, but I've had no luck against the cops. I drive with my cruise control on (set to the speed limit or 1 under) because I don't feel like paying nasty fines. I'm heading into a town and start slowing down and this tractor trailer ZOOMs past me (enough that I felt the shake in my little car). Officer pulls me over.

"I clocked you going 80 in a 55."

I tried to debate it with him and mention the vehicle that zoomed past me. However, being a guy driving a small car in Texas, where you have to drive a F-350 super duper extended cab to be a man (like the one that zipped past), I didn't have much chance. In court the judge was nice... said I could pay $10 less than the ticket was... bullshit. Oh, and keep in mind that my driving record was friggin' spotless at this point.

The stereotypes about hick cops with a chip on their shoulder is pretty damn near true. I've run into so many. Got my wallet stolen from my messenger bag once (I was being stupid). Canceled my cards, traced a charge down to Hastings. Talked to the manager and got permission to use the tape of the guy. Gave a perfect description of the guy that jacked it.

So I'm putting in the official report at the HQ there in town. What does the officer say?

"I guess that ought teach you something, eh faggot?"
"Huh?" (I was completely amazed)
"Faggots shouldn't carry purses." (I wanted to say it was a messenger bag, but the guy was like 60 and it was a lost cause)

He just kinda gazed at me as if he was hoping his point would sink in. They never pursued it and I was definitely under the impression that I shouldn't protest.

[Tyche]

Find out who the prosecutor is and tell them what happened. You'll end up probably pleading guilty, but you can get off with just probation. Been pulled over 25 times, been ticketed only 3 times, and I've only had to end up paying for one, and that's the only one I didn't go to court to fight. It was only 6 mph over, so I just payed before court lol. I honestly doubt you'll get the ticket completely thrown out, at least that's how it is here, every district is different. I think plea bargaining with the prosecutor is the way to go. Ive gotten out of a 90 and an 80 in a 55 zone this way.

[netz]

That's like the time I got pulled over...

Car was tailing me at night so I kept going faster and faster and then he finally backs off and 10 seconds later i see the lights flashing and then
>> Whats the rush tonight?
<< None really, just seemed like you were hugging my car really closely
>> I clocked you going at 95
<< That's what it took to get you to back off of me.


Fucker tailed me and then gives me a ticket... $315....

Next time try putting your blinker on and pulling over. It's cheaper.

[Koga]

Helllllllll no.... They can blatently stereotype?

You do that in SoCal and you get repremanded....Fuck Texas... although I don't think I would have any problems out there anyways.. i drive a F250 Turbo Diesel Lariot. Extended Cab and Bed. LOL

[netz]

Really? I let cops go by me all the time when they want to go 90...

[Kuya]

Fuck the popo.

[Koga]

Fuck the popo.

[Blackmagik]

Fuck the popo.