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Ticket beef

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  • #1

    Ticket beef

    I got a ticket. It was my fault, and I don't disagree that I got the ticket, I was going over (however my speedomoter doesn't agree with the officers radar gun, but I was still over regardless-mine said 69 his said 73).

    My beef is this. The cop is calling people and telling them he gave me a ticket. Is he within his rights of doing this???

    He noticed I had a scanner and other FD equipment in the vehicle. He called where I am a volunteer and left a message for the chief to call him back. The chief did and he told the chief that I got a ticket. I was in my personal vehicle and that had nothing to do with the fact I volunteer. Then he followed me on down the road a bit to where I go to church and saw me go in, and called and told the minister (in the event that I am in a position to ever drive other members...)

    This was just a speeding ticket--not a careless and inprudent, nothing more than a ticket for going 13 over on the highway (was rural highway, not a residential area).

    I was accepting the ticket, but I think he is out of line for calling people and telling them (it will be in the newspaper anyway--along with my age and address....but still). I am almost convienced now to fight it simply because of his attitude. Ticket is $140. $200 to fight it and make it go away.

    In 34 years of driving this is only my 2nd ticket. Not like I am in the habit of getting tickets.

    Acutally I did get another one, but turns out it was a dirty cop writing them off his own pad and it never showed up anywhere and the highway patrol busted him for it--at least 100 that he wrote over a 2 year career...his girlfriend worked the city desk that collected the money and then they split it....

    Anyway, am I wrong for fighting this one?? Is he wrong for calling people and telling them I got it--he was a very sassy mouthed young guy.
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  • #2
    What an idiot! I'd be reporting him to the police department superiors, the local paper and other news media, the mayor and I'd be on the phone to my lawyer. Even if your town makes tickets issued public info, I don't see where that gives him the right to go calling people personally.

    No matter what, I would definitely fight the ticket. At least around here, if you fight it, you pay the fine but they drop the points. Otherwise, you're insurance shoots up.
    Steve

    * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
    * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
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    • #3
      Oh I would sooooo report HIM!

      Not sure on the fighting it thing, only you can decide if $'s/time are worth it.

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      • #4
        What a weirdo. I'm sure tickets are a matter of public record, but I think that just sounds so ,--ewwey,-- bizarrely combining of paternalism, snitchiness, and control freak. I'd hate to think how this person would act in a non-traffic,more serious matter.

        I think it would be a good idea to make a very calm, matter-of-fact call followed up by a letter of equally calm description of what happened. The guy might need to be re-evaluated for his job. Perhaps the people he called to tell on you would like to do the same.

        Yes, I would fight the ticket. I would use one of those cheap lawyers who negotiates the ticket to a non-moving violation like a headlight out or a bad muffler. I would do that, not on the basis of the weirdo ticket writer, but on the basis of needing to keep my insurance rates low.

        Ooh, ooh, my "odometer" tipped to 2000 posts with this message!
        Last edited by Joan.of.the.Arch; 10-20-2009, 06:17 PM. Reason: Ooh, ooh, my "odometer" tipped to 2000 posts with this message!
        "There is some ontological doubt as to whether it may even be possible in principle to nail down these things in the universe we're given to study." --text msg from my kid

        "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." --Frederick Douglass

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        • #5
          what a jerk!! Some cops have the worst attitude and seriously, what kind of cop has the time to do this. Don’t they have real criminals to bust? You should appear in court on the date that it says on the ticket. I wouldn't pay someone to fight it for you, because you can do it yourself. Just try talking to the prosecutor and say you'll plead guilty to a lesser charge. More often then not you’ll get your fine reduced and not lose any points. I’ve done this a few times and once have had the ticket reduced in half. Also, I’m not a lawyer – I’m just relaying to you, my experience. Fight the power!

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          • #6
            That may be a case of defamation of character and I would definitely discuss it with a lawyer if the situation gets out of hand.

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            • #7
              Fight the ticket - generally, if you go to court and agree that you were speeding, promise not to do it again and ask for the ticket to be reduced to 9 miles over the limit - you pay the ticket but avoid the points. Do not argue about the actual numbers; your car speedometer is not a precision machine - that is not direction you want to go unless you want to hire experts. Promise not to do it again.

              It is an abuse of power for a government official in their official capacity to notify your employer of an infraction not work related. The concept of malfeasance in office should cover this. The power of the badge should not be abused.
              I YQ YQ R

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              • #8
                I saw this happened back in Oct. How did this get resolved? Just curious.

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