got a fair evasion ticket from Sheriff over the weekend?

look 171 · 09-22-2009, 10:54 AM

Every other weekend or so we walk one mile down the hill with my little boys, age 2 and 4 to see the light rail train go by at the train station. It's the Southwest Museum stop for those who know LA. I have never taken this train, ever. This sheriff officer walks up to me and ask for my ticket as we were walking toward the exit on the way home. I reply with "I am here with my boys to see the trains go by. We did not ride the train". By now everyone's gone beside the other person who's getting a ticket. He demanded that I take a hard look at my baby stroler and my many pockets and to take my time. I kept telling them that we are here to look at the train and we did not ride it. then, he asked for my ID and writes me a ticket with all my info and driver's lic # on this citation. Spells my last name wrong. Now the other a$$ hole standing in the back is all smiles with his hand on his ******* gun and said next time pay for the ticket. It is a $250 fine. For what, looking at the train with my kids??? So I had no choice but to sign the G-damn thing. Now, I am just just some middle age avarage clean cut guy with a pair of shorts, t-shirt and the 2 little kids. I am told that the fine will be in the mail or you could go to court and fight it. It is like a jaywalking ticket, no big deal.

I am thinking this thing will go on my driving record? It has my driver's lic on it. What do you guys think? Any cops or judges out here? Should I just pay it of fight it. What a waste of time.

vash · vash's Garage

fight it. dont they check for tickets ON the train?

no damn way that goes on your driving record. fight it.

legion · 09-22-2009, 10:58 AM

It's not a traffic ticket.

I would fight it though.

And I would walk down there without the kids so that you can make a big deal next time.

HardDrive · 09-22-2009, 10:58 AM

What a colossal A-hole.

legion · 09-22-2009, 10:59 AM

I also never would have given him my ID.

There is no requirement that you have it on you at all times.

fingpilot · 11:07 AM

Well, the ID thing gets complicated. They can detain you until ID is established. No matter where in CA.... Would not have been the lesson for the kids to see.

I would think one of the braniac officers would have taken one of the kids (if of age to speak) aside, and asked how the train ride was. Was this LA County Sheriffs? Maybe a visit with the Sheriff himself (bring the 4 yr old) might clear it up.

Fight it, and make sure the judge gets the picture of how much this cost the county.

LWJ · 09-22-2009, 11:12 AM

I think you might have an easy out here. Your name is misspelled. This might derail the whole ticket. Sit back and wait. It may never arrive.

I had a ticket in CA that was written on my Oregon car. The cop put that it was a CA plate on the ticket. No such number. No ticket.

Good luck. What an a$$. I would complain to the supervisor of this officer or someone to whom he must report to regardless.

Larry

look 171 · 09-22-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

I also never would have given him my ID.

There is no requirement that you have it on you at all times.

Its almost natural that you give them your ID when they ask for it. I am thinking they just want to know who I am or if I am a criminal or something. I didn't even have a chance to think about it. I did't want to risk getting into it with these butt heads. I am thinking they can't take me in can they? I had my little kids with me. This thing looks like a regular moving violation citation The only difference is that it says fair evasion.

look 171 · 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

fight it. dont they check for tickets ON the train?

no damn way that goes on your driving record. fight it.

I am not sure how they check. I think its an honor system. I think the city is loosing their shirt on the light rail deal.

look 171 · 09-22-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingpilot

Well, the ID thing gets complicated. They can detain you until ID is established. No matter where in CA.... Would not have been the lesson for the kids to see.

I would think one of the braniac officers would have taken one of the kids (if of age to speak) aside, and asked how the train ride was. Was this LA County Sheriffs? Maybe a visit with the Sheriff himself (bring the 4 yr old) might clear it up.

Fight it, and make sure the judge gets the picture of how much this cost the county.

It is the Pasadena court and I have been there and they are not too kind to traffic violations. Yeah, its the county Sheriff.

pwd72s · 09-22-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Its almost natural that you give them your ID when they ask for it. I am thinking they just want to know who I am or if I am a criminal or something. I didn't even have a chance to think about it. I did't want to risk getting into it with these butt heads. I am thinking they can't take me in can they? I had my little kids with me. This thing looks like a regular moving violation citation The only difference is that it says fair evasion.

If it says "fair evasion" on the ticket...fight it. The charge should be fare evasion.

fingpilot · 09-22-2009, 11:19 AM

Hold on a sec.

Does it say FAIR evasion or FARE evasion.

That and your last name might be enough. These idiots might have charged you with evading the L.A. County Fair.

Gogar · 09-22-2009, 11:19 AM

So, I don't understand -where- you were standing that you would be considered to be coming "from the train." Did you walk up the exit stairs or something to watch the trains?

Best case: Ticket never comes in mail, no fine to pay.

Worst case: Ticket never comes in mail, warrant for your arrest.

fingpilot · 09-22-2009, 11:19 AM

Those guys in Orygun are quick on the trigger when it comes to getting out of tickets...

pwd72s · 09-22-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingpilot

Those guys in Orygun are quick on the trigger when it comes to getting out of tickets...

V-1 saved my bacon 3 times on a run to the coast & back yesterday...best to avoid them in the first place.

masraum · 09-22-2009, 11:23 AM

I'd fight it, hire a lawyer to help. I'd think you could get out of it in a second. Hell, I'd think that you might be able to go in and say "did he see me on the train or getting off of the train? If not, then why assume that I was on the train and is an assumption good enough for a fine."

Or something along those lines. What wankers. Good luck.

look 171 · 09-22-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

If it says "fair evasion" on the ticket...fight it. The charge should be fare evasion.

Ok, ok, I am typing this sitting on the back door steps watching the stone guys install with a screaming designer inside the house ripping her assist. a new one. And plus, I am kinda dumb. Thanks for catching tyhat.

m21sniper · 09-22-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Every other weekend or so we walk one mile down the hill with my little boys, age 2 and 4 to see the light rail train go by at the train station. It's the Southwest Museum stop for those who know LA. I have never taken this train, ever. This sheriff officer walks up to me and ask for my ticket as we were walking toward the exit on the way home. I reply with "I am here with my boys to see the trains go by. We did not ride the train". By now everyone's gone beside the other person who's getting a ticket. He demanded that I take a hard look at my baby stroler and my many pockets and to take my time. I kept telling them that we are here to look at the train and we did not ride it. then, he asked for my ID and writes me a ticket with all my info and driver's lic # on this citation. Spells my last name wrong. Now the other a$$ hole standing in the back is all smiles with his hand on his ******* gun and said next time pay for the ticket. It is a $250 fine. For what, looking at the train with my kids??? So I had no choice but to sign the G-damn thing. Now, I am just just some middle age avarage clean cut guy with a pair of shorts, t-shirt and the 2 little kids. I am told that the fine will be in the mail or you could go to court and fight it. It is like a jaywalking ticket, no big deal.

I am thinking this thing will go on my driving record? It has my driver's lic on it. What do you guys think? Any cops or judges out here? Should I just pay it of fight it. What a waste of time.

Stories like this are why tens of millions of Americans hate cops.

legion · 09-22-2009, 11:31 AM

Were the people real cops, or just someone dressed up and collecting money?

look 171 · 09-22-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogar

So, I don't understand -where- you were standing that you would be considered to be coming "from the train." Did you walk up the exit stairs or something to watch the trains?

Best case: Ticket never comes in mail, no fine to pay.

Worst case: Ticket never comes in mail, warrant for your arrest.

We were on the platform to see the trains come and go. My boys love that. This was on a Sunday afternoon, so not many people were on the train. I would not be fighting everyone getting on and off with my kids just to see the train. This Sheriff gets on the train and just to have a look and do it again at another entrance and does it again until the end of the train. I was watching him from the platform. It is only 2 cars long on weekends or evenings.

Warrant for my arrest is BS. Sometimes eating it is the least trouble way of dealing with it. Trying to clear the warrant with the city of LA is a big pain in my fat a$$.

Jeff