The police officer would not even shake my hand!!!

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by svandamme

so realistically, if he doesn't have a camera
he has no proof for court

you have proof he called you a effing ***** ( you probably are though, but hey, to protect and serve, not insult)
and you can countersue

I think Glider sez he called the LEO a "****** Dick"......won't help his case any...

[hardflex]

I've been victimized three times in my life where I was absolutely innocent and not guilty as charged by a LEO. There's really not much you can do about it once the ticket is written. You can try to fight it but that's a lost cause., and there are still court cost's involved.

I suggest you go to traffic school and be done with it. Just consider it like a tax bill.

I used to live in a town (Westworth Village, TX )that got it's total revenues from traffic violation revenues. In the 90's it was up to a vote in the town to ELIMINATE the police force, it was so bad.

[Rick Lee]

I've had pretty good luck in traffic court. As long as the cop doesn't remember you in a bad way, you wear a suit and behave well in front of the judge, you have a better than even chance of getting off or at least a reduced fine with no points. I did actually win once by just saying (after the cop was done), "I respectfully disagree with everything he just said". You have nothing to lose by going to court, maybe $30 in court costs at worst.

[hardflex]

As I recall, court costs in Mansfield TX (last time this happened) were about $100. I could have saved about $15 had I beat the charge but spent a day out of work.

I fought a case in Ft Worth once, I was found guilty fine reduced to $10. I think the Judge believed me but didn't want to call 3 LEO liars (which they did), and that was his solution.

[DonDavis]

You cursed the guy as he walked away. That makes him remember you. I don't think you have a snowball's chance regardless of how much data you bring to court.

A friend's dad drove a VW Rabbit Diesel and was hit with speeding. He had just pulled away from a green light on a long straight, flat road. The dad went back to the scene and made several tries to duplicate the alledged speed. He couldn't and took a ton of data into court. The court gave him time to plead his case. Then the gavel dropped on a guilty verdict.

As far as not shaking your hand? I think you let that get personal. In that setting, he has absolutely no obligation to shake anyone's hand. It's actually a liability. If he were at some public function such as police carnival I bet he'd shake every single person's hand and smile the entire time.

My opinion? Get your checkbook ready.

[austin552]

I heard that when you are pulled for speeding you can ask to see the speed on the radar. If he has deleted it you can beat the ticket.

[svandamme]

right, misread that

maybe him not shaking was awkward for you
but that's about it, big deal if he doesn't shake
insulting him over it , well i think you should be lucky he didn't feel like wasting your time with some other things he can do...

[legion]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I've had pretty good luck in traffic court. As long as the cop doesn't remember you in a bad way, you wear a suit and behave well in front of the judge, you have a better than even chance of getting off or at least a reduced fine with no points. I did actually win once by just saying (after the cop was done), "I respectfully disagree with everything he just said". You have nothing to lose by going to court, maybe $30 in court costs at worst.

That has been the exact opposite of my experience in traffic court. I always show up in a suit--I see it as a sign of respect for the judge. Both in McLean (where I live) and Champaign counties, I saw time after time anyone who was well-dressed was guilty, regardless of what they said. I saw one guy in a holey t-shirt and stained jeans simply say: "I can't afford the ticket." He was ruled innocent!

[speeder]

Why would you want to shake the cop's hand in this scenario? And then curse him when he declines? I'm sorry, but this sounds a little deranged. The rest of the story, you had my empathy.

[gliderguy]

Yes I called him a dick after he pulled his hand away. I told him I knew he was trying to do his job, maybe a vehicle similar to mine passed at close to same time and he just mistook me for another vehicle. It was dark and snowy. My Suburban is Dark green. At night it can look black, dark grey ect. Take the badge off and he is still a human being and did not want to leave it with bad taste so tried to shake hand. I never expected him to react like he did so I kinda snapped with the what a fuc#king dick comment. Comment was made as he was making his way back to his car. Not sure if he had dash camera. Just started reading replies. Thanks for feedback and keep it coming. I could not believe he would not shake my hand. Thought maybe he was a "germ-a-phob", but he had gloves on! I am still steaming over the whole situation. If I was in the wrong I would man up and pay. However I was not at fault and this has gone beyond points and court fees. I want to try to have some faith in our system and maybe have justice prevail. I realize preparation can only help my case trying to think of what else I can do. The cost is not the factor. So anything you guys can suggest will be helpful. I am also looking into lawyer just dont want to pick one out of the yellow pages.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Expect more of this as local governments become more and more cash strapped.

"Traffic detail" is an assignment that most police officers probably hate doing. I know if it were me, I'd much rather be out busting criminals and stopping domestic violence assaults and stuff rather than being a glorified tax collector goon for the government.

[gliderguy]

I bought soda while at gas station getting directions..when I went back he said the register could only go back like ten transactions. We had eaten at Wendys after ticket then drove back to gas station so ten transactions had gone by. He said he would be willing to verify I was there and remembered me asking where Wendys was.

[DonDavis]

So let me get this straight....
You're "still steaming" over this? Over what, him not shaking your hand or the ticket? My guess is you'll say both.

Have you ever worked as Law enforcement or any type of security? NEVER touch anyone. That's a sure way to get your ass kicked. Or, let's say he shook your hand. Now you can claim he yanked your arm and caused an injury.

You are making this personal. It's clear you were offended by the snub. You responded by elevating the situation when you "said it loud enough for him to hear". That makes you on the offensive. He diffused it by not acknowledging it and walking away. What if he turned around and had a field with you. "Excuse me sir, I think I smell an odor of alcohol/marijuana coming from your vehicle. Please step out for a few more questions."

Go ahead, laugh. You said it best, "he's just doing his job". Well, man up, let him do his job and don't make it personal.

I've been pulled over and gotten snotty. That got me in more trouble. I've been pulled over and maintained a professional approach. That had yeilded far better results. Go down to your local police staion and ask their policy on touching the public. How many times hve we heard of cops that we killed by "routine traffic stop"? In his mind, if shakes your hand, you could keep it and pull him into your truck. It was "dark and snowy" so he's at risk far more than you.

Some of the things I've said may offend you. If so, it was not my intent.

[David]

Originally Posted by austin552

I heard that when you are pulled for speeding you can ask to see the speed on the radar. If he has deleted it you can beat the ticket.

I tried that once. The situation became real unfriendly real quick. I won't do that again.

[LakeCleElum]

I'm not saying you're wrong about your speed, but don't go to court and say your Sub. won't do 47 in 2/10's of a mile. That's almost a 1/4 mile....Personally, I think just about anything on the road will do 47 in almost a 1/4 mile.

I was in traffic court once when a violator told a judge his car wouldn't go that fast. The judge said: Why don't you give me your keys and lets go for a drive!

[legion]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

I tried that once. The situation became real unfriendly real quick. I won't do that again.

Citizens do not set the rules for a traffic stop. This has been my experience as well.

[David]

Originally Posted by gliderguy

I bought soda while at gas station getting directions..when I went back he said the register could only go back like ten transactions. We had eaten at Wendys after ticket then drove back to gas station so ten transactions had gone by. He said he would be willing to verify I was there and remembered me asking where Wendys was.

In Texas you can sopena witnesses for traffic court. If it's the same where you are, I'd let the Wendy's and gas station folks know you're going to sopena them and then do it. This will let the cop know you're serious so he may not show up. A jury trial wouldn't hurt either, but it would be nice to have just the judge throw it out. I'm not a lawyer and this is just my opinion.

[legion]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

I was in traffic court once when a violator told a judge his car wouldn't go that fast. The judge said: Why don't you give me your keys and lets go for a drive!

I had a friend who got a speeding ticket for doing 75 in a 65 while driving an original Beetle. His car topped out at 62 mph. He fought the ticket and won.

I also got clocked (allegedly) doing 85 in a 65. I was not doing 85. Funny thing is, another guy was fighting a ticket the same day as me. He was clocked at the same mile marker the same night for the exact same speed by the same trooper. This other guy was driving a reticulated bus that was governed at 75mph. He fought the ticket and won. Unfortunately for me, his case went after mine and I lost. Didn't matter that the state trooper lied about where he was parked and said he got the lock on me un an unlit part of the interstate from 2000 ft. away....

[TGTIW]

In his mind, if shakes your hand, you could keep it and pull him into your truck. It was "dark and snowy" so he's at risk far more than you.

And I'm sure his wife and employee would have helped "subdue" the officer..

[Jeff Higgins]

I got pulled over a couple of summers ago on a pretty hot day in Eastern Washington. The deputy was a fairly youn lady; I would put her in her mid to late 20's at the most. She had me dead to rights, and we both knew it, so she wrote me. I was pretty bummed. So, I asked her for a hug, to make me feel better. She refused. What a little b!tch.