Window Tint Violation

[TacoTaru]

So on my way to class today I get pulled over for speeding and having my windows tinted to dark. The second was a bit of a shock to me because I bought the car 3.5years ago from a dealership and at the time I bought it they didn't mention a word about the windows. It was also a bit of a shock because I've had the car for 3.5years and not once have I been pulled over or been told I should have them removed (I work with cops daily and none have ever mentioned it.) So the cop tells me that he's just going to give me the lesser of the two and writes me a violation for the windows which he then proceeds to tell me are limo tinted (they're not even close). As an added bonus, as he walks off he tells me he's been watching people barrel down the road going 10 and 15 over all morning because no one seems to notice the reduced speed limit signs they just put up about a day ago and on my ticket he got my age and my height wrong.

Does anyone know how much a tint violation cost and/or if the dealership is in any way liable since they sold me the car and I presume they know they it was illegal?

[BunkMonk]

I don't know how it is in IN, but in California a tint violation is a fix-it ticket so there is no fee for the ticket itself, but you do have to pay the typical processing fee (which I think is around $20 here).

I ran into the same situation as you, I was pulled over for speeding (was going 86 in a 65 zone @.@;...was semi-late for a wedding dress fitting), and I got off with a ticket for having my front windows tinted, and no front license plate. Was a pretty darn good deal in my opinion

But yeah, for your case I wouldn't even bother looking into blaming the dealership. They have lots of lawyers and I'm assuming you don't. Just pay the fee, get it removed (if they require proof), and then go slap it back on if you can't live without the tint

[TacoTaru]

Processing fee I can handle, because yeah I definitely got the better end of the deal. I'm going to be more annoyed if it is a substantial amount that I have to pay because of the dealership. Hoping it's the same here then and it's just the processing fee.

[Militant]

Did the cop actually use the tint tester with the flashlight on your car? I'd find out what the fine/punishment is, and what the legal limit for tint % is in your state/county. From there make a decision on if you want to take it further and fight it, or pay the stupid fine (if you are within the law) and be done with it. Most states have laws regarding the level of transparency in the tint, if he didn't "test" it, and just did it subjectively, you might have a case on your hands.

[TacoTaru]

As far as I know Indiana does not require that same inspection, but I could be wrong and it's good to know for the future, thanks.

As for the tint tester, he did something that is what I assume you're talking about. He stuck to two little boxes up there, took them off immediately said "Well it looks like it's around [some] percent, so it's limo". Like I said, I've had people who've gotten their cars tinted with limo and I'm positive mine isn't unless limo tint has a range of transparencies that it falls under.

[MrW]

I wouldn't even worry about it. I have friends with illegal tints on. They really never get pulled over for it. You probably just got unlucky with the cop. Pay the fee and you really shouldn't have to worry about it.

[recuperi]

Tyche's been pulled over several times just because of his tint (it's basically full mirror as far as I can remember). Most of the time the cops around here just do a full search of his car and then tell him he should look into getting it changed. You probably would've been fine if you didn't get caught speeding too D:

[aurik]

So let me get this straight.

You're speeding. You get caught speeding. Instead of giving you a speeding ticket which would cost you points and drive up your insurance, the cop is nice and gives you a fix-me ticket. And now you want to weasel out of paying the ticket?

Did I get that summary correct?

[TacoTaru]

No you didn't get it right.

As I said in my second post, I have no problem paying a processing fee. Hell I really don't have a problem paying a $40 ticket. What I would have a problem with is if the ticket was a high cost ticket (there's a reason I asked in the OP if anyone knew how much these cost because I was unaware it was a fix-it ticket) and the defaulted to me having to paying it because the dealership was irresponsible about selling used cars that they knew had illegal tint. I was persistent about knowing the laws because regardless of it only being a processing fee (still assuming that's the case) I still don't like throwing around $20 in the case that I get screwed by another dealership who decides that offering me tint that's illegal with the car I buy is best left unsaid (also a reason I told Elphaba thanks and that it was good to know).

[Moridam]

In MA, they never said anything about the tints on my first car when I had it inspected (maybe i had the windows down when i brought it in? i dunno). Few months later on the way home from school, I got pulled over, the cop put a little device up to the window, and said it was 20% and that the legal limit was 35. He proceeded to write me a ticket for $285 (250 for the tint violation, 35 for not having my front license plate on), which I contested.

They weren't perma-tints, just professionally-applied stick-on ones, so I pulled them off, made my case to the magistrate, and they dropped the whole ticket. And I got an excused absence from school because I had to appear in court! Man, that was a good day.

[Tyche]

Tyche's been pulled over several times just because of his tint (it's basically full mirror as far as I can remember). Most of the time the cops around here just do a full search of his car and then tell him he should look into getting it changed. You probably would've been fine if you didn't get caught speeding too D:

And on top of that, I'll be going to Evansville today in my Honda (Evansville is the city in which the OP was cited). Where were you at ? Anyway, been pulled over several times for my tint. Full mirror. Cops always give me some kind of verbal lashing about how only drug dealers use that type of tint to hide stuff, ask to search my car, and spend 30-45 minutes with 2-3 officers searching my car to find trash, assorted baby items, and maybe the occassional receipt from a fast food joint. My car is a trainwreck. I don't drive it often at all, mostly just to go to work. Never been cited for it, always warnings...knocking on wood...

[TacoTaru]

On the Llyod around First Ave (if you know where that is). They're doing construction and just recently put the reduce speed limit signs up about 1/2 mile before the barrels being. Hadn't noticed them up and got slammed at 55 in a 40, which was why I was grateful for the window citation.

For what it's worth, and I've heard this goes both ways, IN cops will bust KY plates left and right, and KY will bust IN residents just as much.

[aurik]

No you didn't get it right.

Pretty sure I did get it right: you're trying to weasel out of any consequence for being caught speeding by blaming the dealership.

Next time don't fucking speed, or at least be prepared for the consequences of getting caught.

[archibaldcrane]

Pretty sure I did get it right: you're trying to weasel out of any consequence for being caught speeding by blaming the dealership.

Next time don't fucking speed, or at least be prepared for the consequences of getting caught.

Actually the window tint might've been a blessing in disguise - without some bullshit lesser charge to slap him with, he might've gotten the speeding ticket by default.

While dealers shouldn't sell cars with illegal tint...

...erm, nevermind, tint looks stupid, your remittance to the state is the least you can do for polluting the beauty of the roadways.

[altwight]

I agree with aurik but at the same time the OP. Can I do that?

[TacoTaru]

Pretty sure I did get it right: you're trying to weasel out of any consequence for being caught speeding by blaming the dealership.

Next time don't fucking speed, or at least be prepared for the consequences of getting caught.

Do you read or just open your mouth and let garbage spew? I already said I had no problem paying my processing fee. I wouldn't have a had a problem paying my speeding ticket either, but that's neither here or there since I didn't get it. I speed regularly, I still will, and I'm still prepared to pay tickets. I'm not prepared pay tickets on what Dealerships are to irresponsible to fix or inform the people purchasing their vehicles. If it needs clarity, the poster who said they got a $200+ ticket is something I'm not willing to pay for when I was never informed (especially by who I bought the car from) that what I bought should be taken care of. Seriously do you even read? How in gods name do you get blaming speeding on the Dealership?

[Pikarya]

Tint is hot if its on the right car/setup. The only tint style I don't like is when people tint their front window. Thats just fucking retarded.

http://imgshack.info/images/0l5z4j9yjz24rwbpgp96.jpg

[Shuemue]

Have to agree that if you drove legally you wouldn't have this problem. It's your responsibility to follow the law.

[Devia]

Last summer, I got a correction ticket here in Cali for the side window tint on my Camaro. The customization place near my office removed it for $20 so I could get the citation signed off and then redid it for half their regular price. I know the cop who pulled me over was hoping for more but that was all he could find to write me up for.

[Plow]

What you're missing here is that the cop was being cool with you, window tint is just another excuse to harass black people, and he used it to get out of giving you a real ticket.