First Ticket in the Shelby

[05FSTBK]

So, I was a bad boy this morning. Weather has been crappy on weekends for awhile, so thought I take her out to stretch her legs today.

 

I got to a passing lane on hill on the back roads near my house. I wasn't really paying attention to the speed, just listening to the SC scream and up to the top of the hill I went. I slowed it back down to 60 when I got to the top because I new CHP likes to hang out just beyond the crest of the hill.

 

 

About half way down the other side I look in my mirror and I see a CHP coming up behind me with his lights on. The kind without the light rackon the roof, just lights in the windows and on the grill. I knew it was me he was after so I got to where I could pull over and did.

 

When he got up to my passenger window he said I got you and my radar at 89, but you were accelleration as you passed me going the other way. I gave him my license, reg and insureance card and back to his car he went. I knew I was done for.

 

When he came back he asked how long it had been since I got a ticket. I thought about 5 years. He told me he liked my car. Said he had a 65 of his own. And he knew that it very tempting to see what they could do. He then said he cut me a break and only wrote the ticket for 75 because if he had written it for what I was doing he would have had to take me in. He then said if I had been driving a camaro, he would have.

 

He gave me the ticket I signed it and he told me that he wanted me to keep it under the limit, especially with traffic around. If you going to do that go somewhere where no one is around. As he started to walk back to his car he came back and said, off the record, how fast were you going.

I told him that after I had slowed down some it was coming across 100. He said you, it was your super charger that gave you away

 

 

whew. it's going to be expensive but at least I get to keep my baby.

[Matts]

:happy feet:

[Grabber]

I hope your insurance does not go up to much.

 

Do you have a radar detector? I wonder it that would of helped you?

[05FSTBK]

I hope your insurance does not go up to much.

 

Do you have a radar detector? I wonder it that would of helped you?

I do, but honestly, I never really bend the law that much. and it was in my glove box. I'm hoping I can get to traffic shcool.

 

The bummer thing is the ticket says court day is 5.27.09. I hope I don't have to appear. If I do, I probably won't be able to go to the Grabber BBQ. Don't think I can take two days off on a holiday week. I've only been with my company since the begining of the year.

[awwbud]

Excellent suggestion by Grabber.

 

I have had a Valentine 1 since 2006 and have never received a ticket. Has saved me literally over a hundred times, both radar and laser. There is no 100% deterrent against speeding tickets other than not speeding, but a radar detector like this makes you more aware of your surroundings, which in turn, lessens your chances of receiving a ticket.

 

Good luck.

[Grabber]

I do, but honestly, I never really bend the law that much. and it was in my glove box. I'm hoping I can get to traffic shcool.

 

The bummer thing is the ticket says court day is 5.27.09. I hope I don't have to appear. If I do, I probably won't be able to go to the Grabber BBQ. Don't think I can take two days off on a holiday week. I've only been with my company since the begining of the year.

 

Can't you just mail in the fine? How much is the fine?

[Grabber]

Excellent suggestion by Grabber.

 

I have had a Valentine 1 since 2006 and have never received a ticket. Has saved me literally over a hundred times, both radar and laser. There is no 100% deterrent against speeding tickets other than not speeding, but a radar detector like this makes you more aware of your surroundings, which in turn, lessens your chances of receiving a ticket.

 

Good luck.

 

+1

 

My Passport by Escort is on 24/7. It helps me keep on my toes and picks up the other guy speeding a mile in front of me all the time. This was well worth the $500 bucks and has paid for itself over and over.

 

[MY500SS]

I do, but honestly, I never really bend the law that much. and it was in my glove box. I'm hoping I can get to traffic shcool.

 

The bummer thing is the ticket says court day is 5.27.09. I hope I don't have to appear. If I do, I probably won't be able to go to the Grabber BBQ. Don't think I can take two days off on a holiday week. I've only been with my company since the begining of the year.

 

You'll get the courtsey notice with the fine amount soon. Send the fine in with a request for traffic school before 5/27/09 and you should be good to go.

 

Don't want to miss the trip to GRABBERVILLE :happy feet:

[05FSTBK]

You'll get the courtsey notice with the fine amount soon. Send the fine in with a request for traffic school before 5/27/09 and you should be good to go.

 

Don't want to miss the trip to GRABBERVILLE :happy feet:

No I don't want to miss it either. I just got the ticket this morning, so I'll give it a couple of weeks and I should get the notice in the mail.

 

should be about $400 I recon.

[vipereatr]

A friend of mine (He owns a radar detector) has a very honest wife, and when their insurance company asked "Do you own a radar detector?" she said "yes". I think it only doubled or tripled their rate.

 

Moral of the story? Never own only one radar detector and then all in your family can honestly answer "No" to "Do you own a radar detector?"

[09shlb]

This wouldn't happened to have happened on Cajon Pass around noon? I was going down the hill and saw a Chippy sitting behind an overpass. He sits there regularly in case it was him.

[XLR8]

Sorry to hear about your luck.

 

I run a Passport radar detector 100% of the time. Helps, but is not foolproof.

[blkGT500nCA]

http://www.savetimetrafficschool.com/index...FTOKEN=10208418

 

I got it saved in my favorites.

 

You're eligible if you haven't taken it in the past 18 months and the ticket was for less than 15 mph over the limit.

 

I've got to be good for another 7 months.

[05FSTBK]

This wouldn't happened to have happened on Cajon Pass around noon? I was going down the hill and saw a Chippy sitting behind an overpass. He sits there regularly in case it was him.

Nope. Sonoma/Napa County

[05FSTBK]

Sorry to hear about your luck.

 

I run a Passport radar detector 100% of the time. Helps, but is not foolproof.

I will now

[07SS697]

i got one a few months ago he got me doin 85 but he gave me a break and gave me a 65 in a 55.

[Hisssss]

+1

 

My Passport by Escort is on 24/7. It helps me keep on my toes and picks up the other guy speeding a mile in front of me all the time. This was well worth the $500 bucks and has paid for itself over and over.

 

 

Grabber, which model are you running (9500ix)?? what is your opinion of the laser jammer function and how many times have you used that feature? GPS tracking...photo camera alerts, do you pay a fee for this service, is it accurate, do you update via the web weekly or what? Overall what is your impression, I am getting ready to drop the $$ but need a good unit as my foot is sooo heavy...H.

[KingCobra666]

05FSTBK : What was the limit where you were pulled over? Thats not that fast but we have 70 mph speed limits in Florida. I am NOT advocating speeding or lawbreaking, but we all do from time to time. This aint murder. Best thing to do when pulled over is:

 

A. Never admit you were speeding/guilt. Or if you do, have a mechanical reason why. Any statement to a cop is evidence. They are human recording devices. Admit guilt and you are toast. They will not be happy when you dont. They will yell at you and threaten you. Be calm and respectful, but stand your ground. Basically say you dont believe you were speeding and that you respectfully disagree.

Ask what makes him think you were speeding. Radar? Pacing? Both can be beat in court, usually.

 

When the cop says, do you know WHY I pulled you over, say, I dont know. Yes you will get a ticket but if your going 20+ over the limit you get one anyhow. Bear in mind they will not go easy on you and you may go to jail if your going 20+ over but you will win in the end..probably. I have used this in the past and it worked...officer, my throttle stuck. Tell them you dont drive the car much and it must be gummed up. Believe it or not, they cant do much at that point except write you for faulty equipment and possibly tow you. Again it depends on how important keeping a clean record is vs a potential hassle. My insurance is ridiculously cheap because I have very few tickets, none since I got wise years ago. On my record I have NO tickets. You really have to weight it out though, like I said, you might take a ride in the silver bracelets if you dont roll over for them. Cali may be different that Florida.

 

B. Get a traffic lawyer to fight it.

 

I dont know how it works in Cali, but here if you fight it in court you end up pleading nolo (neither admitiing guilt nor deny it) and it cost 300 for the lawyer + the fine and court costs but IMHO its worth it. No points or insurance issues. I dont get a lot of tickets, never in the Shelby yet, but the ones I have gotten I fought and won. If you get lucky the cop will not show and you will walk.

 

I'm no lawyer, your milelage may vary and it is probably is different in Cali. If you dont play ball with the cops, be prepared for unpleasant short term consequences. Try to be freindly, they might give you a break.

 

ABout a month ago I was coming back from a dentist appointment in my VAN going 75+ in a 45. Yes I was in a hurry to get back to work. When I got between gouts of traffic I was opening it up. This is on a wide 8 lane road so I was in the middle lane and wasnt concerned about side traffic and was being as careful as possible. Not real bright, but sometimes I have to do what I must. ANyhow, I got pulled over. He came out of nowhere.

 

cop: Do you know why I pulled you over?

 

me: No sir.

 

cop: You were speeding. 73 in a 45 posted limit.

 

me: I dont think so officer, no WAY I was going that fast. You have me on radar? You probably hit that white civic that was passing me, he was really moving.

 

cop: No, it was YOU, you were at 73 when I caught you... I paced you. I was chasing you for a mile or more!

 

me: Im sorry sir, but I think your incorrect, I was NOT going that fast.

 

cop: yes you were, my speedo is calibrated blah blah blah

 

Eventually we went back and forth got to talking about guns. I have a concealed permit and was carrying and its always good to let them know for safety reasons and to unerve them. They also know your not a felon, probably on their side. Another good thing to help get out of tickets is a CCW.

 

He was a nice guy and eventually said "Well I know you were speeding, slow it down oK." I said ok. No ticket, no warning, he went out to find another huckleberry.

 

It wont work every time, some cops go ape shit if you dont make it easy for them. This guy knew I knew the game and eventually just gave up.

 

KC666

[zporta]

sorry about ur luck man...2 bad u didnt have the cop that got me 2 weeks ago... a cop saw me run my car through the gears...well at least till the top of third and pulled me over he didnt get me on radar but chased after i kicked it sideways in second... I was doin every bit of 100+ he came up to me and said " i know you got a lot of power in this thing but next time you do that make sure there isnt a cop behind you" then he let me go

[03reptile]

05FSTBK : What was the limit where you were pulled over? Thats not that fast but we have 70 mph speed limits in Florida. I am NOT advocating speeding or lawbreaking, but we all do from time to time. This aint murder. Best thing to do when pulled over is:

 

A. Never admit you were speeding/guilt. Or if you do, have a mechanical reason why. Any statement to a cop is evidence. They are human recording devices. Admit guilt and you are toast. They will not be happy when you dont. They will yell at you and threaten you. Be calm and respectful, but stand your ground. Basically say you dont believe you were speeding and that you respectfully disagree.

Ask what makes him think you were speeding. Radar? Pacing? Both can be beat in court, usually.

 

When the cop says, do you know WHY I pulled you over, say, I dont know. Yes you will get a ticket but if your going 20+ over the limit you get one anyhow. Bear in mind they will not go easy on you and you may go to jail if your going 20+ over but you will win in the end..probably. I have used this in the past and it worked...officer, my throttle stuck. Tell them you dont drive the car much and it must be gummed up. Believe it or not, they cant do much at that point except write you for faulty equipment and possibly tow you. Again it depends on how important keeping a clean record is vs a potential hassle. My insurance is ridiculously cheap because I have very few tickets, none since I got wise years ago. On my record I have NO tickets. You really have to weight it out though, like I said, you might take a ride in the silver bracelets if you dont roll over for them. Cali may be different that Florida.

 

B. Get a traffic lawyer to fight it.

 

I dont know how it works in Cali, but here if you fight it in court you end up pleading nolo (neither admitiing guilt nor deny it) and it cost 300 for the lawyer + the fine and court costs but IMHO its worth it. No points or insurance issues. I dont get a lot of tickets, never in the Shelby yet, but the ones I have gotten I fought and won. If you get lucky the cop will not show and you will walk.

 

I'm no lawyer, your milelage may vary and it is probably is different in Cali. If you dont play ball with the cops, be prepared for unpleasant short term consequences. Try to be freindly, they might give you a break.

 

ABout a month ago I was coming back from a dentist appointment in my VAN going 75+ in a 45. Yes I was in a hurry to get back to work. When I got between gouts of traffic I was opening it up. This is on a wide 8 lane road so I was in the middle lane and wasnt concerned about side traffic and was being as careful as possible. Not real bright, but sometimes I have to do what I must. ANyhow, I got pulled over. He came out of nowhere.

 

cop: Do you know why I pulled you over?

 

me: No sir.

 

cop: You were speeding. 73 in a 45 posted limit.

 

me: I dont think so officer, no WAY I was going that fast. You have me on radar? You probably hit that white civic that was passing me, he was really moving.

 

cop: No, it was YOU, you were at 73 when I caught you... I paced you. I was chasing you for a mile or more!

 

me: Im sorry sir, but I think your incorrect, I was NOT going that fast.

 

cop: yes you were, my speedo is calibrated blah blah blah

 

Eventually we went back and forth got to talking about guns. I have a concealed permit and was carrying and its always good to let them know for safety reasons and to unerve them. They also know your not a felon, probably on their side. Another good thing to help get out of tickets is a CCW.

 

He was a nice guy and eventually said "Well I know you were speeding, slow it down oK." I said ok. No ticket, no warning, he went out to find another huckleberry.

 

It wont work every time, some cops go ape shit if you dont make it easy for them. This guy knew I knew the game and eventually just gave up.

 

KC666

 

Kingcobra666 gave a lot of good advise. After being in law enforcement for 32 years, I don't suggest anyone involve themselves in verbal gymnastics with an officer. They don't like to stand there and argue (as a rule) and simply cut you short by saying "We'll let the judge decide, press firmly, you're making six copies." Also, detectors are nice but fall short with "instant on" which is the mode many LEO's use now days. Being polite and not giving some flimsy excuse will oftentimes get you a warning as many posters have attested to. Going to court often helps (if you have the time) and theres always a slight chance the officer might not be available to testify, and you walk. Taking driver's school is a great suggestion and one I have proffered to many of my friends.

[awwbud]

Kingcobra666 gave a lot of good advise. After being in law enforcement for 32 years, I don't suggest anyone involve themselves in verbal gymnastics with an officer. They don't like to stand there and argue (as a rule) and simply cut you short by saying "We'll let the judge decide, press firmly, you're making six copies." Also, detectors are nice but fall short with "instant on" which is the mode many LEO's use now days. Being polite and not giving some flimsy excuse will oftentimes get you a warning as many posters have attested to. Going to court often helps (if you have the time) and theres always a slight chance the officer might not be available to testify, and you walk. Taking driver's school is a great suggestion and one I have proffered to many of my friends.

 

03Reptile,

 

Thanks for your service and for helping to keep us safe. You're right about instant on, but usually with a good detector like a Valentine, you can catch the patrolman using "instant on" to clock cars over a mile and a half to two miles up the road. Depends on how much traffic is out there. Also, knowing the tactics, techniques, and procedures of the officers on the roads you are traveling on is a big plus. I'm more prone to kick it up a few MPH above the limit on roads and highways that I am familiar with, as opposed to ones I'm not. Around my parts, officers must have never heard of "instant on" because they leave their systems running constantly, even when parked at gas stations getting some snacks. You're right though, politeness and checking the attitude/temper at the door is definitely the best thing to do once once one is actually pulled over. I couldn't even imagine being a cop in this day and age, dealing with some of the people that are out there. Thanks.

[silver08elly]

OK for the lawyer hiring guy.....it doesnt always work. Heres my story. I grabbed it from another post i have in the tech section talkin abot o2 sensors. No one has a better story than me and im willin to bet that to the end. Hope u guys enjoyed. This was a reply to someone who asked me to confirm i went to JAIL for speedin after me and colin were bustin chops about it a lil........

 

Yup. I was followed by a totally unmarked car for five miles at 85 in a 55 on a back highway. My car was three days old and i was super protective of her. After so long i was like forget this person. Im alone and i dont kow where i am so im not givin him a chance to be a creepo. If it was a cop hed have lit me up already. So i sped up a little to about 95 and so did he but no indication he was a cop. So i said f it im out. dropped it 6th to 3rd and left him, laughin about it. I noticed he was tryin to keep so i tried to find a side street and when i turned on the blinker and hit the brakes he turned his visors down and had lights on them. So i pulled over. He wrote me for 120 in a 55. I went to court and they sentenced me to eight months and dropped all but two months of it. Fined me 2 grand on top of it. So i appealed it and went to another judge who threw me in for 22 days and kept the fine the same. So i did 11 days on good behavior and got out. I lost a 6 figure job over it too. Anything over 20 in va and they can give u up to 1 year and a 2500 dollar fine. I argued that i knew i was speeding but i had a clean record, a disabld veteran, honorable discharge, didnt even live in VA, had letters from cops and judges and priests and stuff sayin i was an upstanding member of my community. He didnt care. Put me right in and i havent worked in four months now. Loads of fun. Im currently tryin to find some kind of legal rammification i can take for cruel and unusual but cant seem to find anyhting. I also lost a job offer cuz of it. When they found it on my record they dropped their offer quick. So ya.....great story right? Like i said dont drive in VA. Well at least not fast.....on a side note it didnt help that the cop told hte judge he topped his car out at 120 and i was leavin him like he was parked and i laughed about it kinda....like a snicker i guess....he said thats why he onle wrote it for 120. I didnt get eluding or nothing. Clear road clear day and it was only speeding. No drugs or booze or anything else. Purely speed. Awesome justice system. LOL Steer clear of that place!

 

So for all of us speeders, dont go fast in VA. Dont even think about it. The judge didnt want to hear anything about me bein spooked. He said i should have called someone and when i said no phone reception he said i shoud have pulled over. Negative! My lawyer sucked and i dont know a lawyer who oculd have done squat about it so u cant depend on them. My advice.....if you are out and u get nailed speeding this way, hit the accelerator and turn on your emergencies before he gets out behind you. If you can do that and then get the car in neautral and out of eye shot pull over jump out and pop the hood. then get out and get under it and claim the throttle stuck due to the electronic throttle by wire. Get a mechanic who is dirty to write u a letter to the judge for a small fee. It works.

 

On a side note....i have a funny story. I was speeding through georgia in my titan before i bought the cobra. I got nailed doin 87 in a 55. As i was sitting there waiting for him to show up i remembered a comedian tellin a joke about playin the bad boys song that is the theme for cops. I had it on my I pod and was connected to the stereo so i said what the hell right? So i cranked it up all the way and i watched him in the mirror. As he is walkin up i see him crack a smile and he kinda starts struttin to the tune. He comes up and with a smile on his face says can u turn that down? I was like sure and let it down just enough to still hear it. He says where u goin? I said down to the base in pensacola to see my wife and try ot patch things up ith her. He laughs and says U know in all my years i havent ever seen anyone try somethin like that with the music nad im pretty amussed With that andu bein a serviceman i gotta tell ya i cant give u a ticket. He et me go and made me promise id slow it down. I did and didnt get nabbed again but now i alwyas keep that song in my car. Too bad i didnt have it that day in virginia.....Hope u guys like that stuff. Like i said im young and dumb and got a lead foot with a great gt500. maybe 26 year olds shouldnt buy these things.....NAH!

[regalt87]

The best way to get out of a speeding ticket is to just not stop. Our cars can out run the radio and the chopper.

 

Just kidding.

[Boston Mike]

Hey, at least you didn't have the dingbat Dallas cop (I'm sure most of you heard that story, it made national headlines)...........detained Ryan Moats of the Houston Texans (the reason it made national news) for running a red........he had stopped, assured that it was clear to cross first...............while rushing his wife and her grandfather to the hospital after they received a call that her mother was likely going to die within the hour.

 

Now, I understand that the LEO would be cautious due to Moats' emotions, but when a nurse comes down to confirm the story and he still held him up for an additional 10 minutes to teach him a lesson, that was over the line. Even the local Plano cop told him to let him go and he didn't.

[03reptile]

OK for the lawyer hiring guy.....it doesnt always work. Heres my story. I grabbed it from another post i have in the tech section talkin abot o2 sensors. No one has a better story than me and im willin to bet that to the end. Hope u guys enjoyed. This was a reply to someone who asked me to confirm i went to JAIL for speedin after me and colin were bustin chops about it a lil........

 

Yup. I was followed by a totally unmarked car for five miles at 85 in a 55 on a back highway. My car was three days old and i was super protective of her. After so long i was like forget this person. Im alone and i dont kow where i am so im not givin him a chance to be a creepo. If it was a cop hed have lit me up already. So i sped up a little to about 95 and so did he but no indication he was a cop. So i said f it im out. dropped it 6th to 3rd and left him, laughin about it. I noticed he was tryin to keep so i tried to find a side street and when i turned on the blinker and hit the brakes he turned his visors down and had lights on them. So i pulled over. He wrote me for 120 in a 55. I went to court and they sentenced me to eight months and dropped all but two months of it. Fined me 2 grand on top of it. So i appealed it and went to another judge who threw me in for 22 days and kept the fine the same. So i did 11 days on good behavior and got out. I lost a 6 figure job over it too. Anything over 20 in va and they can give u up to 1 year and a 2500 dollar fine. I argued that i knew i was speeding but i had a clean record, a disabld veteran, honorable discharge, didnt even live in VA, had letters from cops and judges and priests and stuff sayin i was an upstanding member of my community. He didnt care. Put me right in and i havent worked in four months now. Loads of fun. Im currently tryin to find some kind of legal rammification i can take for cruel and unusual but cant seem to find anyhting. I also lost a job offer cuz of it. When they found it on my record they dropped their offer quick. So ya.....great story right? Like i said dont drive in VA. Well at least not fast.....on a side note it didnt help that the cop told hte judge he topped his car out at 120 and i was leavin him like he was parked and i laughed about it kinda....like a snicker i guess....he said thats why he onle wrote it for 120. I didnt get eluding or nothing. Clear road clear day and it was only speeding. No drugs or booze or anything else. Purely speed. Awesome justice system. LOL Steer clear of that place!

 

So for all of us speeders, dont go fast in VA. Dont even think about it. The judge didnt want to hear anything about me bein spooked. He said i should have called someone and when i said no phone reception he said i shoud have pulled over. Negative! My lawyer sucked and i dont know a lawyer who oculd have done squat about it so u cant depend on them. My advice.....if you are out and u get nailed speeding this way, hit the accelerator and turn on your emergencies before he gets out behind you. If you can do that and then get the car in neautral and out of eye shot pull over jump out and pop the hood. then get out and get under it and claim the throttle stuck due to the electronic throttle by wire. Get a mechanic who is dirty to write u a letter to the judge for a small fee. It works.

 

On a side note....i have a funny story. I was speeding through georgia in my titan before i bought the cobra. I got nailed doin 87 in a 55. As i was sitting there waiting for him to show up i remembered a comedian tellin a joke about playin the bad boys song that is the theme for cops. I had it on my I pod and was connected to the stereo so i said what the hell right? So i cranked it up all the way and i watched him in the mirror. As he is walkin up i see him crack a smile and he kinda starts struttin to the tune. He comes up and with a smile on his face says can u turn that down? I was like sure and let it down just enough to still hear it. He says where u goin? I said down to the base in pensacola to see my wife and try ot patch things up ith her. He laughs and says U know in all my years i havent ever seen anyone try somethin like that with the music nad im pretty amussed With that andu bein a serviceman i gotta tell ya i cant give u a ticket. He et me go and made me promise id slow it down. I did and didnt get nabbed again but now i alwyas keep that song in my car. Too bad i didnt have it that day in virginia.....Hope u guys like that stuff. Like i said im young and dumb and got a lead foot with a great gt500. maybe 26 year olds shouldnt buy these things.....NAH!

 

Great stories! You are right about Va. Be within 5 to 7 MPH over on interstates and you're probably all right. Any more, and they'll stop you. Jumping out , throwing up the hood & claiming the throttle stuck is an old trick. The officer will issue you a citation for operating an unsafe motor vehilce, forbid you to drive it, and have it towed. Not a wise choice, an very expensive. If you're caught....you're caught. Just be respectful and courteous and you might get a warning. Trust me, most LEO's have heard and seen all the lame excuses we conjure up in our heads to avoid the citation. Sometimes the truth shall set you free!

[Boston Mike]

Kingcobra666 gave a lot of good advise. After being in law enforcement for 32 years, I don't suggest anyone involve themselves in verbal gymnastics with an officer. They don't like to stand there and argue (as a rule) and simply cut you short by saying "We'll let the judge decide, press firmly, you're making six copies." Also, detectors are nice but fall short with "instant on" which is the mode many LEO's use now days. Being polite and not giving some flimsy excuse will oftentimes get you a warning as many posters have attested to. Going to court often helps (if you have the time) and theres always a slight chance the officer might not be available to testify, and you walk. Taking driver's school is a great suggestion and one I have proffered to many of my friends.

Yeah, being honest does work sometimes...................in my younger/stupid days, I got pulled over late one night for speeding after a softball game (which of course was followed up with $5 pitchers and karaoke...........a great team building exercise at the time). This was in my 03 10th vert, was doing about 70 in a 55 zone (so not crazy fast as I was trying to be somewhat cautious). Saw him parked in a driveway off the side of the road as I passed him, so as I went over the next hill, I took the next right, turned off my lights hoping he'd keep going straight . Duh. So he gets to my window and asks where I'm headed.......home I say and when I tell him where home is, he says "You know this road isn't the way home". So I answered "I know. I was hoping you didn't see me pull off, that's why I turned my lights off too. Sorry." He laughed said "I appreciate your honesty, I was curious how you'd answer that". Proceeded to let me off with a warning, followed me all the way to my street. Doubt it would ever work again, but was sure happy that night.

 

Never gonna try that again.

[03reptile]

Yeah, being honest does work sometimes...................in my younger/stupid days, I got pulled over late one night for speeding after a softball game (which of course was followed up with $5 pitchers and karaoke...........a great team building exercise at the time). This was in my 03 10th vert, was doing about 70 in a 55 zone (so not crazy fast as I was trying to be somewhat cautious). Saw him parked in a driveway off the side of the road as I passed him, so as I went over the next hill, I took the next right, turned off my lights hoping he'd keep going straight . Duh. So he gets to my window and asks where I'm headed.......home I say and when I tell him where home is, he says "You know this road isn't the way home". So I answered "I know. I was hoping you didn't see me pull off, that's why I turned my lights off too. Sorry." He laughed said "I appreciate your honesty, I was curious how you'd answer that". Proceeded to let me off with a warning, followed me all the way to my street. Doubt it would ever work again, but was sure happy that night.

 

Never gonna try that again.

[/quot

 

You should attend that Officer's retirement party! He really cut you a BIG break. Fleeing and alluding is a big issue in most jurisdictions. Great story and indicative that most LOE's are pretty decent people.

[blkGT500nCA]

I got a ticket doing 82 in a 65 out here on 101. It was a couple weeks after I got my car. I was driving on an empty highway, dropped it down in 3rd an gave her a little. The road was empty, I didn't pass anyone. Soon as I'm closing down I see a CHP coming from the other direction, and his nose was diving HARD! I knew we were going to be chatting.

 

The first thing he says when he comes up to the window is, "This is one of those ones with 500 hp, right?" Then he asked for my paperwork.

 

I say, "Yeah, I just got her, I didn't mean any disrespect, I just wanted to see what she had in her." I asked how fast. He told me 82. I proceed to beg for a break.

 

Long story short. He wrote the ticket for exactly 82 in a 65. 17 mph over the limit. Here in California you are eligible for the internet driving school if the ticket is for less than 15 mph over the limit. But 17 over, you're screwed. I just paid for it. The kicker was, right before I pulled away he said, " See ya next time."

 

gotta love cali.

[matyellott]

Hey, at least you didn't have the dingbat Dallas cop (I'm sure most of you heard that story, it made national headlines)...........detained Ryan Moats of the Houston Texans (the reason it made national news) for running a red........he had stopped, assured that it was clear to cross first...............while rushing his wife and her grandfather to the hospital after they received a call that her mother was likely going to die within the hour.

 

Now, I understand that the LEO would be cautious due to Moats' emotions, but when a nurse comes down to confirm the story and he still held him up for an additional 10 minutes to teach him a lesson, that was over the line. Even the local Plano cop told him to let him go and he didn't.

 

Zach Thomas: Same Dallas officer mistreated my wife

NFL linebacker says line was crossed in 2008 traffic stop; Powell's attorney sees no improper actions

11:47 PM CDT on Sunday, March 29, 2009

By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News

tarcher@dallasnews.com

Maritza Thomas, the wife of NFL linebacker Zach Thomas, saw a familiar face as she watched the video of Officer Robert Powell detaining Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats as he and his family rushed to a hospital to see a dying loved one. That face was Powell's.

On July 27, 2008, while her husband was at training camp with the Cowboys in Oxnard, Calif., Maritza Thomas was pulled over by Powell for an illegal U-turn near NorthPark Center.

Maritza Thomas was issued five tickets by Powell, four of which were later dismissed. Thomas was handcuffed, placed in the back of a police cruiser, spent about three hours in the Dallas County Jail and was threatened with the possibility of spending the night behind bars.

 

"This in no way compares to what happened to Ryan Moats and his family," said Zach Thomas, who played for the Cowboys last season and is now a free agent. "But we wanted to tell our story, not knowing how many others have been affected by Officer Powell. We know the vast majority of the Dallas police force are good and professional people, but this guy just seems excessive."

The charges that were dropped were failure to show proof of insurance, running a red light, having an improper address on a driver's license and not having a registration sticker on the windshield. She accepted deferred adjudication for the illegal U-turn charge, and her record will be cleared next month.

In total, Maritza Thomas, who is Hispanic, was detained roughly five hours.

"This situation never should've happened," said Maritza Thomas' attorney, Brody Shanklin. "Unless extraordinary circumstances exist, no person should be arrested for a Class C citation. In this case, it was an example of Officer Powell being overzealous and exerting his authority in a manner that he never should have."

Bob Gorsky, Powell's attorney, questioned the timing of Thomas' allegations, saying she had not complained about her arrest until the Moats incident became public.

"After her arrest, she may have mentioned that her husband was a football player, but that played no role in her arrest or the disposition of the case," Gorsky said.

"I do understand that an arrest on multiple traffic charges happens often and is absolutely proper under these circumstances," Gorsky said. "Often, when there are multiple charges, an arrest made and bond posted, some of the charges from a single event are later dropped."

According to Maritza Thomas, a pharmacist with no prior criminal record, Powell would not accept the explanation of where the proper paperwork was before she was taken to jail. Her mother, Teresa Lozano, who was making her first trip to Dallas and speaks little English, was forced to ride with the tow truck driver when the car was impounded. She later posted bail for her daughter's release.

"My mom was begging for him to let her go to the apartment that was five minutes away to get the paperwork," Maritza Thomas said. "He unbuckled his holster, and she got scared."

The Thomases said Powell was dismissive, but they did not allege that he used abusive language. There is no dash-cam video available of the incident, but the police report lists the five citations and confirms that Thomas was taken to jail.

 

Judge C. Victor Lander, the city of Dallas' chief municipal judge, said under Texas law a person can be arrested for any Class C misdemeanor citation except speeding and having an open container.

When an officer gives someone a traffic citation, it is in lieu of arrest, Lander said. The officer does have the option of making an arrest, he said.

"It really is giving the individual a break by issuing them a ticket. But it's a break most people get," Lander said.

He called it "relatively rare" for an officer to arrest someone on the spot. That's because it's time consuming to take someone to jail and fill out the paperwork, he said. Usually, an arrest occurs if the person has a warrant for unpaid traffic tickets, Lander said.

When an officer does decide to make an arrest for a minor traffic offense, it's usually because of how the person behaved during the traffic stop, Lander said.

"The defense bar refers to it as contempt of cop," Lander said. "If the officer was offended by something the person said or did, they may arrest them."

Dallas police say it is not unusual for an officer to arrest someone who is issued three or more citations during one traffic stop.

“If there are so many violations that it could be viewed that it’s an egregious situation, that person can be arrested,” said Assistant Chief Floyd Simpson, who oversees the department’s seven patrol divisions.

Simpson said he did not know the details of Powell’s encounter with Maritza Thomas.

Based on the five citations she received, Simpson said, an arrest would not be required, but it also generally would not be inappropriate.

“It’s a judgment thing on the cops at that moment,” Simpson said. “The core of what we do is just discretion, and it needs to be that way.”

According to the Dallas police Web site, complaints against an officer must be made within 60 days of an incident, except in special cases, including criminal misconduct or when good cause can be shown by the person making the complaint.

At the time of the incident, the Thomases considered filing a complaint against Powell but declined, "because we didn't want to cause a stir," said her husband, Zach Thomas, believing it "was maybe a guy having a bad day." However, they plan to file one now.

Sr. Cpl. Kevin Janse, a Dallas police spokesman, declined to comment on Thomas' allegation.

However, he said police would investigate all complaints submitted to the department about Powell.

"If she feels Officer Powell did something wrong, we'll investigate it," Janse said. "We are not going to go back and track everything this officer has done," he said. "If people come to us with concerns, we'll look into it."

 

The department is investigating Powell's actions on the night of the Moats traffic stop, as well as any other questionable encounters involving the officer, Janse said.

Maritza Thomas said, "I hope that by telling my story that it will help prevent situations like this from happening in the future."

Powell issued an apology Friday for his actions in which Moats and his mother-in-law's father were unable to see Jonetta Collinsworth before she died of breast cancer this month. Powell has been put on paid leave.

With the grim news of Collinsworth's health, Moats, his wife, Tamishia, and her grandfather rushed to Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, rolling through a red light that prompted Powell to turn on his lights.

Outside the emergency room, Powell detained Moats for 13 minutes, and Collinsworth died before everybody could say goodbye.

Staff Writer Scott Goldstein contributed to this report

[Jolly Roger]

Radar detectors....I have mixed feelings.

 

When I was younger and (more) foolish, I was nailed going 70 or so in a 55 zone on a two-lane highway. The cop was going the other way, but I didn't see him in time, and he was using instant-on radar. I put my radar detector on the floor out of sight when I saw him turn around to pull me over, but he saw it on my dash when we passed.

 

He gave me a ticket with no break and as a parting shot said, "Son, radar detectors and PO-lice don't mix."

 

Fast forward almost 20 years to a sunny day last fall:

 

I was caught in a speed trap on I-96 west of Lansing. I saw the cop with the radar (laser?) gun off to the right, and he called his colleague who was coming back from ticketing the last poor sap. I saw him turn around in the median so I slowed it down. He actually followed me for about 5 miles, although I couldn't really see him, as he was in a tan, unmarked State Police cruiser of a color and type I have never seen (and I look). For a few minutes I thought I had dodged the bullet. Finally he got bored, zoomed up behind me, and turned the lights on.

 

He asked the usual questions, and I told him I was late to the airport to pick up my brother-in-law, which was true. They clocked me at 88 in a 70 zone, but he only gave me a ticket for 75, which was very gracious. He said that would mean I wouldn't get any points. My last speeding ticket was the one I mentioned above almost twenty years ago.

 

If I had a radar detector, I may not have been pulled over last fall, but if they were using laser it might not have mattered.

 

If I had a radar detector and the cop knew that, I doubt I would have been gifted with a 5 over instead of an 18 over.

 

What experience do you guys have with the potential downsides of having a radar detector during a traffic stop?