I have a court date today

[ChadTower]

Yep.  Traffic court.  Speeding ticket.  Got snagged doing 25.  On an unmarked 15mph street at the bottom of a hill.  Didn't even have my foot on the gas, I was coasting down the hill.   

RI has a law that if you have no moving violations within the previous 3 years they will forgive a ticket like this.  So I go to get my driver's record this morning... the only other speeding ticket I've ever had was 2 years 11.5 months before this one.   

So I guess I show up at court today and say "uh, I was clear for 2 years 11.5 months, and this is only 25... please don't kill me".   

[MustardTent]

IIRC, you're in MA.  Was this ticket out of state (in RI)?  If so, was your ticket 2 years 11.5 months ago also in RI?

[ChadTower]

Yep, live in MA right on the RI border.  The ticket was in RI.  That ticket was in MA.  They don't verify themselves, though, they make you get an official copy of your driving record from the state that issued your license.  Then they look at that copy.

[shardian]

That is a pretty neat law about letting you off for having a clean record. How did you find that out? I would be interested in seeing if my state has something like that.

The only time I ever got a speeding ticket was in an unincorporated coal town in central WV. Tickets are their only source of city income, so noone ever gets off there.

[ChadTower]

The officer who wrote out the ticket told me about it.  Then when I got the summons in the mail it also had details on it.  And when I got my Driver's Record from the MA RMV the teller told me about it.

[shardian]

They must be pretty desperate to get out-of staters to visit if they so openly offer advice like that...or RI people are just that nice.

[ChadTower]

Officers tend to be more helpful when you don't give them an attitude for pulling you over.  And they really appreciate it when you don't go digging for your registration until they ask for it.  It's not good to go digging around in your glove compartment while they're walking to the car.  Bad bad bad.

[shardian]

I have always used the nice guy approach to cops. It works everytime...except for backwoods cops.

By accident, I have found a new method to use: Have an irritated pregnant wife in the car when getting pulled over. I had an ---uvula--- State trooper say I ran a red light (it was yellow until I passed it). I did my nice thing, but he was being a jerk. My wife then got pissed and basically told him he didn't know what he was talking about. OMG, I thought I was really in for it. He went to his car after his chewing out, came  back with a somber ,'I'm glad I'm not you fella', kind of attitude, gave me a warning and said he might have been wrong. That was awesome.

Unfortunately, now my wife is convinced that is how cops should always be handled.

[Ed_McCarron]

Dang, once again I gotta agree w/Chad.  I hate that.

You want to make the cop pulling you over as comfortable as possible.

This means, by the time he gets to your window, you should have completed the following:

Interior light on.
Drivers window open.
Vehicle off.
D/L, Owners Card, and insurance in hand, hands (both of em) on top of the steering wheel.

You'd be amazed how many will recognize the effort you've gone through on their behalf and will be more likely to warn for a small infraction.

[ChadTower]

D/L, Owners Card, and insurance in hand, hands (both of em) on top of the steering wheel.

I've been told by several Officers not to do this.  They don't want you digging around in compartments or under your seat until they are close enough to see what you are pulling out.  That includes your wallet.  I was told by all of them to wait until instructed to get them out, tell the officer where each item is, and then get them in plain view of the Officer.  That way they know you're not pulling out a weapon rather than your registration.  If they see you digging around in the car while they are walking up to it they have to be cognizant of the fact that you could be dangerous.

[shardian]

...or hiding something. Best to just sit there until they have you in plain view.

[Dervacumen]

I'm in CA - anyone in CA should check out this site:

Ticket Assassin

 A coworker decided to fight a speeding ticket (85 in a 65) by mail (yes you can do that in CA).  She had to pay the fine up front, but then fought by mail.  You check that option on the ticket when you sign it.  8 months later she showed me the letter excusing her ticket and got a check in the mail.  Neat stuff.

I think in CA an officer gets paid to go to court, but they do not get paid to fill out the necessary paperwork to respond to a ticket that is being contested by mail.  So they don't respond (too busy with the rest of their responsibilities) and the ticket gets forgiven most of the time.

[Dartful Dodger]

You'd be amazed how many will recognize the effort you've gone through on their behalf and will be more likely to warn for a small infraction.

If you're white with a state police sticker/decal on your car you wont get pulled over for most infractions.

They don't want to run your plates because you might be a cop.  If they run your plates it's on the record that they did.  They don't want to be on the record for pulling over a cop, because if you get into an accident and they didn't give you a ticket or run you in for drunk driving it will look very bad for them.  So they just leave you alone.

A state trooper gave me the sticker and told me the scenario, he also said it's illegal for me to have the sticker on my car, but because I wont be pulled over while I have it, it doesn't matter.  He said it doesn't matter what state I'm in either, it's the same all over.

[ChadTower]

Went in for the hearing... talked to the clerk who was prescanning all of the cases to take care of the easily resolved ones.  She said that it was a hard 3 years, 2 years 11 months would not fly, and that I could fight the ticket if I wanted but this particular cop always showed.  Then she asked me what I use to dye my hair because she loved the color (I don't).   

So I paid the fine.   

[Ed_McCarron]

D/L, Owners Card, and insurance in hand, hands (both of em) on top of the steering wheel.

I've been told by several Officers not to do this.  They don't want you digging around in compartments or under your seat until they are close enough to see what you are pulling out.  That includes your wallet.  I was told by all of them to wait until instructed to get them out, tell the officer where each item is, and then get them in plain view of the Officer.  That way they know you're not pulling out a weapon rather than your registration.  If they see you digging around in the car while they are walking up to it they have to be cognizant of the fact that you could be dangerous.

Different cop, different story.  I got my info from a local cop (wifes friends husband).   Once they pull you over, they take about 5 minutes to run your plate, fill out paperwork, call in that they've pulled someone over, etc, etc before even getting out of their car.

If you can't be done digging for paperwork in 5 minutes, you must dye your hair or something.

[ChadTower]

Yeah, different places have different preferences and policies.  It only takes 30 seconds to pull out the registration.  It takes the same amount of time to pull out a gun.  Unfortunately, even though you can have an infinite amount of people with registrations in their hands, it's the single person with a gun that changes everything.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

If you're white with a state police sticker/decal on your car you wont get pulled over for most infractions.

They don't want to run your plates because you might be a cop.  If they run your plates it's on the record that they did.  They don't want to be on the record for pulling over a cop, because if you get into an accident and they didn't give you a ticket or run you in for drunk driving it will look very bad for them.  So they just leave you alone.

A state trooper gave me the sticker and told me the scenario, he also said it's illegal for me to have the sticker on my car, but because I wont be pulled over while I have it, it doesn't matter.  He said it doesn't matter what state I'm in either, it's the same all over.

If you've got the sticker on your car:

I'm so glad you've been able to benefit from an inherently racist and illegal scenario. 
Good on you for taking advantage and, in turn, encouraging such a situation!

If you don't:

Good on you for being decent enough to refrain.


mrC

[Ed_McCarron]

I'm so glad you've been able to benefit from an inherently racist

"State Police" is a race now?  What will they think of next?

[Dartful Dodger]

I'm so glad you've been able to benefit from an inherently racist

"State Police" is a race now?  What will they think of next?

He meant my "if you are white" statement.

That being polite to the police only works if you're white.

All us white folk are benefiting from it.

[fredster]

Police come from the following senerio:

Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, critisize.  Those who can't do any of those things become cops.

Either that or there is a "cop" gene.

[Texasmame]

Good input on this thread, er, except for Fredster's silly comment just prior to this.   


Anyhow, best to just sit tight with both hands on the wheel.  Shut the radio and car off, too.  If he wants you to get certain paperwork or whatnot, do it once he asks. 

Be polite and honest.  The cop knows why he stopped you and also knows he can write you for it regardless of what you say or think.  You telling him "it was yellow" or any other such bunk will very likely result in a ticket.  Being honest and sincere may not.  All depends on the cop and, more importantly, your attitude.


 

[lloydcom]

Texasmame says it the best.

Cops are doing a job we wouldn't want to do.  Putting your life on the line etc.

I would just be as cool as cucumber, unless you are in the UK, where if the cop is alone you can argue the fact, and it won't stand up in court as it is your word against his.  Besides they are all unarmed and basically cool, and just give you a warning.  Or nick you if you are drunk or violent.

Much different than if you managed to get stopped in Las Vegas.  Whole different ball game there!  Hands on the wheel and don't dare breathe!

My last ticket was 20 years ago, so I'm driving better - knock on wood.

[shardian]

Texasmame says it the best.

Cops are doing a job we wouldn't want to do.  Putting your life on the line etc.

I would just be as cool as cucumber, unless you are in the UK, where if the cop is alone you can argue the fact, and it won't stand up in court as it is your word against his.  Besides they are all unarmed and basically cool, and just give you a warning.  Or nick you if you are drunk or violent.

Much different than if you managed to get stopped in Las Vegas.  Whole different ball game there!  Hands on the wheel and don't dare breathe!

My last ticket was 20 years ago, so I'm driving better - knock on wood.

Timeout! Did you just say that cops in the UK do not carry weapons??

[ChadTower]

Here in the US most criminals would laugh at mace/sticks.

[lloydcom]

Oh yeah.

Not too funny when someone shoves a fully loaded shotgun to your face either.  You get that treatment in the states you say Yes Sir and hope to crap he had his donut and coffee and a good nights sleep.  In the UK its all about civility.

The gun and knife craze is happening over here.  I feel kinda sorry for them.  We just had a special officer (kind of a ride along - not a true cop) get knifed in the neck which nearly killed him while serving an eviction notice.  Real scary  down south in London.

They do have a trunchon, but thats for show as most don't know how to use it.  Most you will get out of a British bobby is.. Stop...Stop...Please Stop!

They are awfully polite to you especially when the cuffs are on.  I see it on TV here, never tried it on for size.

Give a Vegas cop a night stick and he will give you a first class show/beating....

Basically in the US you have a real deterrent.  In the UK you have a chance to get a way.

The contrast is amazing.

[shardian]

One of these days I am going to pick up and move to England. It is sounding better and better all the time.

[diverdown]

I have always used the nice guy approach to cops. It works everytime...except for backwoods cops.

By accident, I have found a new method to use: Have an irritated pregnant wife in the car when getting pulled over. I had an ---uvula--- State trooper say I ran a red light (it was yellow until I passed it). I did my nice thing, but he was being a jerk. My wife then got pissed and basically told him he didn't know what he was talking about. OMG, I thought I was really in for it. He went to his car after his chewing out, came  back with a somber ,'I'm glad I'm not you fella', kind of attitude, gave me a warning and said he might have been wrong. That was awesome.

Unfortunately, now my wife is convinced that is how cops should always be handled.

Hehe

I ran through a RED light (yes it was red not amber). Stopped at said light was a police car. I drove up the road a few hundren meters and pulled over. The police put their lights on and drove up behind me.
The cop asked me "Do you know why I pulled you over?"

I replied "Well technically I think I pulled my own self over."

Cop " So why did you run the red"?

ME " Well I was talking to my wife and the light was green . I looked over to her and then back to the road. the light was amber. I thought it had just gone amber. i did not want to jump on the anchors as my wife is heavilty pregnant (Wife stuck her tummy out more).

Cop "oh ok mate thats a new one for me.....have a good night.... bye...."


I'm thinking of having a pillow in the car to jam up my wifes shirt next time i do a stupid thing (mind you jammin something up my wife....... no better leave that alone)