Beat my ticket!

[bradboyd80]

On a side note, it actually blew me away how many people dont dress nice for court. You basically go there to get judged... dress up people.

Definitely. My personality doesn't allow me to go places like that without looking professional. Luckily for me though, the only time I've had to fight tickets in court was for very minor offenses.
For example: cop pulled me over in Alaska accusing me of street racing when it was the two cars in front of me racing (they were old school muscle cars, and I was driving my honda....which is probably why he came after me); and spent 15 minutes looking for a reason to write me a ticket. ****** wrote me up for having my license plate on the inside of my windshield instead of the bumper - which was primered and waiting to be painted. Simple fix-it ticket....took it to court and it was thrown out. I've never tried to fight a speeding ticket though because, personally I know I did something wrong, so I chose to pay the consequences.

 

[Kain]

I usually go with the "if it doesn't fit, you must acquit" defense.

 

[Mike240SX]

So, in short, the judge decided the case based on subjective hearsay by people who weren't even involved instead of objective facts. Sounds like a miscarriage of justice and a judge that doesn't deserve his/her seat to me.

And I'll take "grumpy" as an adjective over "whiny child who couldn't accept responsibility for his actions and decided to try to tug at the heart strings of the legal system to avoid consequences."

Brag and enjoy it now if you want. Eventually all things come around.

 

[horNNEE]

On a side note, it actually blew me away how many people dont dress nice for court. You basically go there to get judged... dress up people.

i have never felt so out of place in my whole life haha, there i dressed in a suit and everyone else is wearing their jeans down to their knees, hats on.. looking like slobs.

 

[Sport6]

So, in short, the judge decided the case based on subjective hearsay by people who weren't even involved instead of objective facts. Sounds like a miscarriage of justice and a judge that doesn't deserve his/her seat to me.

And I'll take "grumpy" as an adjective over "whiny child who couldn't accept responsibility for his actions and decided to try to tug at the heart strings of the legal system to avoid consequences."

Brag and enjoy it now if you want. Eventually all things come around.

 

[Peter B]

So, in short, the judge decided the case based on subjective hearsay by people who weren't even involved instead of objective facts. Sounds like a miscarriage of justice and a judge that doesn't deserve his/her seat to me.

And I'll take "grumpy" as an adjective over "whiny child who couldn't accept responsibility for his actions and decided to try to tug at the heart strings of the legal system to avoid consequences."

Brag and enjoy it now if you want. Eventually all things come around.

How is it a miscarriage of justice? I admitted to what the officer said. I told the truth. I was honest and upfront about previous violations I had. I just said it seemed unfair that I got picked out when I was well within the flow of traffic, and had even been passed by other cars (who then went on to pass the officer). Nothing I said was untrue, I would stake my car on it.

And I will be honest and say I thought they were gonna tell me "too bad so sad" and send me on my way. Especially since I didn't contest the officer's report of what happened.

Who knows, maybe the officer didn't realize how fast everyone was going, then saw his speedometer realized we were all speeding turned on his radar and tagged me first.

Thinking back on it, from what the officer told me at the time of incident it sounded like he was concerned i would maintain my speed after it dropped from two lanes to one, at which point 65-66 mph would have been much too fast. I imagine that is why he didn't pull over the other people who passed me before we got to that point in the road.

But if you want to talk about a miscarriage of justice, here is one for you. How about the cop in Oakham MA who is a REPEAT DUI offender, and has never lost his license or been suspended (yes I confirmed this story). Why? Because he is a cop. You know what would happen to most of us if we got more then one DUI? My buddy's neighbor is a local cop and I can't tell you how many stories like that he has told me. To take it a step further, I have never met a cop who has been caught speeding (while off duty) and had to pay for their ticket. So don't get all high and mighty there. The pendulum swings both ways.

 

[mckraut]

Aww dont be bitter now officer grumpy face.

This only makes you look less mature than you do already. Don't let your luck go to your head, drive safe.

 

[Peter B]

I took it out, and wrote a serious response. Was just trying to lighten the mood... Officer grumpy face? I really hope no one took that seriously. Really, I just wanted to share the experience with you guys and the parts I found interesting about it, not get into a heated debate about it. Perhaps that was my mistake.

Really, I'm not trying to come off as big headed, bragging, immature, douchey, or unwilling to own up to my mistakes. I posted this because I was excited I beat it, because I honestly didn't think I would. I was surprised by the way it turned out and thought the whole process was interesting. I guess I don't see what's wrong with that. I know I got lucky, that is obvious. However I feel like being prepared certainly helped the situation. I also do feel like the magistrate made the right call given the circumstances.

Am I really coming off as that much of a jerk? Do you guys really think this was a huge injustice? I guess if any of you posted the story I'd be happy you caught a break.

This thread wasn't meant to get people so worked up... it was supposed to be fun and positive... sheesh.

 

[bradboyd80]

I don't think it was an injustice. As you stated, people get away with things 1000x worse than what you did. I'll give you just as bad of a story. A local sheriff's deputy was involved in a major DUI accident (doing roughly 100mph in a 65 zone, and hit another vehicle, seriously injuring the other vehicles passengers). Guess what happened? NOTHING!! I believe he was put on administrative leave without pay or something similar. But no fines; no jailtime; no charges; and still kept his job. Now in my opinion, THAT is an injustice.

I don't think there is anything at all wrong with exercising the rights given to you (defending yourself in court). It just so happened to go your way. Cool...good for you. My only problem was that you appeared cocky/immature in bragging about it. No hard feelings, and not bashing, just throwing my .02 cents out there.

 

[Peter B]

Fair enough. Really that was not my intent. Even with my little string of animations there... I was just trying to poke fun. Sorry if any of you took serious offense to that.

Back to the dressing up in court thing... There seems to be a lack of appreciation for what goes on in a court house. I mean, going back to the founding of this country and why and how our court system came to exist. I think few people realize what all that means and what a courthouse stands for. Plus, you are surrounded by officials, DAs, Judges, etc etc, all of which are positions which I think command some degree of respect. To me going in dressed like a bum just doesn't cut it in that situation. Plus again, you are being judged. Looking like the situation matters and that you give a hoot can only help. Looking like your bored just being there and you could care less wont help. And I mean this in any court situation, not just traffic hearings.

 

[AlwaysDriven]

And for the record the officer almost never shows.

That kinda depends on the officer. My dad's been on the force for 22 years, and he loves going to court dates. It's a free day for him. He gets to go sit in a court room instead of sitting in his car on the side of the road or going on calls.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Here's the thing...it's great you got off. I had a similar experience (amended down) and I am supremely grateful for the mercy of the judge when I in no way deserved it.

It wasn't unfair that you got pulled over. It was perfectly fair. The cops don't have to always pull over the worst violator...if this was their perfect world, they would pull over every violator, and every one would get a ticket. But that's not the case...they grab who they can. You deserved to get pulled over whether no traffic around you was speeding, or you were the slowest car on the road. Breaking the law is not less so if other people are breaking it more.

Congrats on your fortunate luck.

 

[Spiced MSP]

I got pulled two days ago, cop said he clocked me going 44 in a 30. Court date on June 7th. We will see what happens...

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

I didn't say I wasn't speeding. All I said was I was moving with the flow of traffic, and was far from the fastest car on the road that morning, all of which was true. They asked if I had any other speeding tickets and told them my record. Stayed honest, stayed true to what happened. Magistrate said he would give me the benefit of the doubt and assume I was telling the truth, in which case he didn't feel I deserved the ticket.

Anyhow thanks guys.

I see you used my argument. Congratulations.