[mrfixit]

.

[NJblue]

No, but we have a recourse available to us. If we don't exercise our rights as citizens to defend ourselves, we are fostering the use of bad judgement on the part of a few police officers.

Sure, that makes a lot of sense to take a day off from work - or more if it is out of state (not to mention the travel costs) just to sit in a courtroom all day for your five minutes of "justice" where it is your word versus the police officer's. Then, when you inevitably lose because the judge has no evidence presented to doubt the officer's testimony, you now get to pay the ticket as well as court costs. Of course, the above scenario is what happens if you are lucky. If the officer doesn't show up for whatever reason, you get to do the whole thing all over again. When it comes to traffic offenses, our judicial system is essentially non-existent.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

No, but we have a recourse available to us. If we don't exercise our rights as citizens to defend ourselves, we are fostering the use of bad judgement on the part of a few police officers.

It's the same as complaining publicly about a meal at a restaurant but not discussing it with the manager.

JLK

Taking 5 min to talk to the manager is not the same as having to take a day off from work (or maybe 1/2 day) to go talk to a judge to tell them why a got a ticket for going 5 mph over. I agree we should do it but too often people can't because the courts have no weekend or evening hours and many people do not have the liberty at their jobs to just take 1/2 day off. I've only received a few tickets in my life but even when I felt I should contest it - it just wasn't worth it from a work standpoint.

[red tail]

when an officer goes to court when a person contests a ticket does he or she get overtime for it?

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by NJblue

If the officer doesn't show up for whatever reason, you get to do the whole thing all over again. When it comes to traffic offenses, our judicial system is essentially non-existent.

If an officer can't appear at the appointed time to defend or prove his charges, then the charges should be dismissed. If they are not dismissed then the court and the judicial system as a whole fails us! The person charged should also be reimbursed for the financial losses imposed on him for his appearance, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen. Expense reimbursement is not a two way street!

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Did you exercise your right to fight this ticket in court?

JLK

Talk Host, YES I hired an attorney because I was assigned a company car and the ticket had an affect on my profession. Before going to court my attorney talk to the judge. the net result was that that since the speed limit was 55mph anything over that was speeding and I would have lost the hearing. My attorney was told by the judge that this particular trooper was ( not his exact words) but a real jerk

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by rubicon

My attorney was told by the judge that this particular trooper was ( not his exact words) but a real jerk

I was once told by a judge (outside of court) that it was his job to protect an individual from this kind of enforcement officer! He used a term a little more tactful than jerk, but his meaning was the same none-the-less!

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

I was once told by a judge (outside of court) that it was his job to protect an individual from this kind of enforcement officer! He used a term a little more tactful than jerk, but his meaning was the same none-the-less!

Not all judges are that way - in fact, from my limited experience in a non-criminal courtroom, the judges are the biggest jerks who love to throw their weight around. I once was sent a fine for not renewing my dog's license in time. I knew that I had sent it in on time so I challenged it in court - just for the principle of the matter. After spending all night long waiting for justice to be done, the judge finally called my case. Before doing so, he noted that his docket was filled with people like myself. It became readily apparent that whomever was in charge of processing the dog licenses sat on the applications until after the deadline and then issued summons for all of us. I had my canceled check with the date that I wrote it as proof that it was written well before the deadline. The judge's response to that was I could have put in any date - which is true, but given a courtroom filled with people all taking their time to "get justice", one would have to think that these people may be telling the truth and the township bureaucrat had screwed up. Not this judge - he believed the absent bureaucrat and found us all guilty. As the old saying goes, you can't fight city hall and it is wasted effort to even try.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by NJblue

Not all judges are that way - in fact, from my limited experience in a non-criminal courtroom, the judges are the biggest jerks who love to throw their weight around. I once was sent a fine for not renewing my dog's license in time. I knew that I had sent it in on time so I challenged it in court - just for the principle of the matter. After spending all night long waiting for justice to be done, the judge finally called my case. Before doing so, he noted that his docket was filled with people like myself. It became readily apparent that whomever was in charge of processing the dog licenses sat on the applications until after the deadline and then issued summons for all of us. I had my canceled check with the date that I wrote it as proof that it was written well before the deadline. The judge's response to that was I could have put in any date - which is true, but given a courtroom filled with people all taking their time to "get justice", one would have to think that these people may be telling the truth and the township bureaucrat had screwed up. Not this judge - he believed the absent bureaucrat and found us all guilty. As the old saying goes, you can't fight city hall and it is wasted effort to even try.

I have to say I was a bit luckier. Once back in the early 70's I appeared before a judge (different one) on a charge of failure to keep right. He permitted me to plea guilty with extenuating circumstances. I won't bother you with the circumstances but I was truthful in my explaination and the judge threw the charge out after hearing it! There are good judges out there there are bad, and making things even worse there are activist judges out there, and that's not good for any of us!

[Figmo Bohica]

How to get out of a speeding ticket.

Lady was pulled over for doing 35 in a 25 MPH zone. When asked if she knew why she was pulled over, she stated to the officer, "Was it the blood dripping from the truck of my car?"

Officer calls for back up, asked to search the car, lady says no way. Officer calls for DA, needs search warrant for car. Hours pass, detectives on scene, DA finally arrives after getting search warrant.

Truck is opened, nothing found.

Lady says, "I thought you stopped me for speeding."

Lady was told, "Sorry for the misunderstanding, please have a nice day."

[ajdeck]

Originally Posted by red tail

when an officer goes to court when a person contests a ticket does he or she get overtime for it?

Yes, at least in Michigan. Our nephew is a officer and he gets overtime anytime he spends at court.

aj

[anlashokna]

I would personally like to see these cops ticketing speeders in the residential areas...aka down here in Sanibel...and expecially the constructions crews. They speed up and down are road like there is no tomorrow and can't figure out why...they have to stop at the end!! Maybe I'll send the sumter county sherrif a note where to pick up some easy money.

[wilkinsm1]

We saw an officer behind a tree on Buena Vista before Lake Miona...just past the curve where the cars merge. We were coming from mass at ST. Vincent de Paul's....wish he had been there earlier when we were on our way to mass; I almost got run over by a black pickup that was really speeding...seemed like a worker, not a Villager.

[hotrodgirl]

Perhaps it's not so bad in TV? See what we have here in IL now...

All Illinois drivers or those visiting there.

**** *


Illinois will begin using photo radar in freeway work zones starting in July.

Beginning in July the State of Illinois will
use speed cameras in areas designated as 'Work
Zones' on major freeways. Anyone caught by these devices will be mailed a $375.00 ticket for the FIRST offense, but the SECOND offense will cost* $ 1000.00 and comes with a 90-Day suspension.

Drivers will also receive demerit points against their license , which allows insurance companies to raise their rates.

This represents the harshest penalty structure yet for a city or state using PHOTO enforcements. The State will begin with TWO camera vans issuing tickets in work zones with speed limits lowered to 45 MPH.

Photographs
of both the Driver's face and License plate are taken.

Pass this on to everyone you know.

For more info:
http://www.dot.state.il.us/press/r033005.html

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by hotrodgirl

Perhaps it's not so bad in TV? See what we have here in IL now...

All Illinois drivers or those visiting there.

**** *


Illinois will begin using photo radar in freeway work zones starting in July.

Beginning in July the State of Illinois will
use speed cameras in areas designated as 'Work
Zones' on major freeways. Anyone caught by these devices will be mailed a $375.00 ticket for the FIRST offense, but the SECOND offense will cost* $ 1000.00 and comes with a 90-Day suspension.

Drivers will also receive demerit points against their license , which allows insurance companies to raise their rates.

This represents the harshest penalty structure yet for a city or state using PHOTO enforcements. The State will begin with TWO camera vans issuing tickets in work zones with speed limits lowered to 45 MPH.

Photographs
of both the Driver's face and License plate are taken.

Pass this on to everyone you know.

For more info:
http://www.dot.state.il.us/press/r033005.html

What a great idea. Those workers in those zones need all the protection they can get. Bookem Dano!