revenue generation.......local cop

[bell]

Was running a short errand tonite in the 924s.....
Cop pulls me over.......
Says my tag lights aren't working......they clearly are working and he sees this.....
Then writes me a $110+ ticket for my current address not being on my license, even though it's in their computer correctly and in the system....
No points........but.....
Wtf..........
Can't they find anything else to do?

[gshase]

So he had no legal reason to stop you, I would lawyer up.

[bell]

I can't afford to pay the ticket let alone a lawyer.......

[Joe Bob]

Call his supervisor......not like the guy doesn't ALREADY have a hard on for ya...

[911SauCy]

Cops can be huge D1(k$.... Sometimes.

On a different note.

All my buddies are cops. Last week one called with a story that he stopped a 23yr guy on his force from giving a guy in a GT3 a $340 ticket for no front plate and "excessive noise"

Asked the guy, "if that was your car would you drill the front bumper?"...

Promise, not all of them are wankers

If you go to court, which its probably not worth your time, the cop most likely wont show bc its not worth his. And they'll toss the ticket, they'll most likely toss a rediculous ticket like that regardless.

[bell]

Cops down here get full pay for their time to go to court......so they always show.

Yes it is not worth my time to try to fight it, add on that I have to spend time getting a new” updated” license from the dmv....

Just bs......

[Nostril Cheese]

Florida..

[944Larry]

not just Florida. I was in Mobile and had a guy with me have a medical emergency. I knowingly made an improper turn to get him help. Dumb azz cop sees this and gives me a ticket. I hired a lawyer and the judge threw it out. Cost me $650 but I beat a $100 ticket. Agreed, not all cops are pricks but enough of them are to taint the whole bunch.

[bell]

I have lots of friends who are cops.....just not here.
I've lived in this town for 3+ years, never been pulled over, cause they are notorious here for nailing speeders.....
What kills me is he told me he didn't write me a ticket for the lights because it'd be a3 Dollar fix (they are slightly dim), but gave me the $116 ticket instead......
Whatever.....dumb ****.....

[jwhcars]

It's your responsibility to up date your license and registration card in a timely manor. Replace your license light bulbs so the plate can be seen.
The cop was just doing his job.

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by jwhcars

The cop was just doing his job.

Yeah, but a warning would have sufficed here. Besides, the lights worked according to the OP so the cop defaulted to the address on the license. Pretty dikkish.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by bell

Was running a short errand tonite in the 924s.....
Cop pulls me over.......
Says my tag lights aren't working......they clearly are working and he sees this.....
Then writes me a $110+ ticket for my current address not being on my license, even though it's in their computer correctly and in the system....
No points........but.....
Wtf..........
Can't they find anything else to do?

His supervisor sent him out because it was quiet.

It's easy to tell because of their attitude... A feeling of reluctance to give you a ticket. He knows its not right but he feels he has to do it anyway. It's not personal. The cops are under pressure to produce something.

You could fight it. Sounds like you have a case because even though your current address wasn't on your licence it was in the system. They go by what their computer tells them anyway.

And again it's not personal. It very rarely is. Good luck.

[Schrup]

Originally Posted by bell

Says my tag lights aren't working......they clearly are working and he sees this.....

Originally Posted by jwhcars

The cop was just doing his job.

Yeah, screwing people & abusing his authority, nice call.

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

A feeling of reluctance to give you a ticket. He knows its not right but he feels he has to do it anyway. It's not personal. The cops are under pressure to produce something.

And with all the illegal s*it going on in most places he picks the guy with the dim rear plate lights and then cites for the wrong address on the license. But yeah, why pull perps over when they just toss tickets into the trash. Pull over guys who you know have something to lose if they don't pay their fines. Yeah, it's not personal, it's about getting normally law-abiding people to pay a chickens*it fine.

[Joe Bob]

So if you had your new addy on the back, typed and taped over.....you woulda been cool? Or in your state do ya have to get a new ID?

Back in the day, I got pulled over in my lowered 57VW...it was a regular occurence and because I lved in a unique area I had regular contact with CHP, LAPD, LASO, Glendale PD and Pasadena PD.

The patrol cars used enjoy pulling over the "German Burners" as they called them. I think I still hold the record for the same ticket in one week by all five agencies.....they had a hard on for a reg that required DMV notification on an engine change.

Went to DMV read the reg, copied it....took to each of the supes of each agency and got the ticket rescinded. This was prior to computers. The reg was meant for motorcycles. They were fixing to get me for 300 bucks on a bogus cites.....in 75 that was big bucks.

Pretty sucky since they all knew me as a straight A student, 3 sport varsity letterman......they thought it was funny. Two of the ring leaders got a week off w/o pay. I later dated one of the other funny guy's daughters....

The moral of the story is....the cite was wrong, the pull over was bogus. Show some hair and kvetch to the guys boss.

[techweenie]

I got a ticket from CHP for not changing my address 4 days after moving (CA gives you 10). But I gladly accepted it, because he had stopped me for doing 93 (radar) on the way to Vegas and decided to overlook the speeding.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by BE911SC

And with all the illegal s*it going on in most places he picks the guy with the dim rear plate lights and then cites for the wrong address on the license. But yeah, why pull perps over when they just toss tickets into the trash. Pull over guys who you know have something to lose if they don't pay their fines. Yeah, it's not personal, it's about getting normally law-abiding people to pay a chickens*it fine.

You're 100% correct. You'd think they could find something better to do like going after druggies or real crims. But that's hard work and like most people (non cops) they do what they need to to get by.

For instance, the local "Gumba's" can do pretty much whatever they like as long as they don't draw to much attention to themselves.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Florida is a police state - at least it was when I used to live down there 20-or-so years ago. Maybe it's changed but I suspect not. Part of that is because for whatever reason Florida is a magnet for every criminal scumbag, drug addict and scam artist on the planet. It's also a poor state (aside from the touristy areas, creating a huge divide between rich and poor). It's similar to Arizona in that regard. That doesn't help.

But yes, I specifically recall Florida also being a magnet for every "boo-yah", "high-speed", jarhead, paramilitary a-hole cop on the planet. I had several run-ins during my time there and have never been a troublemaker or anything like that in my life. One more reason I don't miss living there and doubt I'd return.

My advice would be to go get a consult with a traffic law attorney. They should be willing to sit down with you for an hour to discuss the case you have and whether or not it's worth pursuing free of charge. If you go forward, they can discuss fee structure, etc. with you.

IIRC Florida does traffic school. I'd either pay the $110, do the traffic school (which will probably cost more than the ticket) or have a lawyer fight it in court. I dunno but it sounds like you (stupidly) forgot to update your address and although the cop was a prick and went on a fishing expedition, hell-bent on finding something to bust your balls over, you did give him something to nail you for. Lesson for next time. Keep your paperwork straight. I dunno (talk to an attorney) but I suspect if the case/ticket is about failing to update an address and you didn't, it'll be cut and dry and you'll lose. Remember every single person that goes to a traffic hearing thinks cops are jerks and frankly I bet the judges don't particularly care or want to hear another *****ing-session from an angry cited driver. I'd expect the judge to want to hear the specifics of the case and the facts, not your opinion of why the cop was a jerk. Attempts by you to derail the discussion and complain won't get you points and won't endear you to the judge. They have 50 other cases to hear that day and don't need some "spoiled punk kid in a Porsche" complaining that a cop was mean to him (right or wrong, that's how you'll probably be perceived).

Yes, it's about money. Get used to it. It doesn't get any better when you get older, you just tend to get a little smarter and learn to give the cops easier pickins' so they leave you alone. Kids stick out and are usually dumb and don't know how to react to intimidation tactics - easy prey. Cops I'm sure know this.

Go talk to a traffic lawyer and if you're that hurting for cash where you can't afford a hundred bucks or so, perhaps you should evaluate whether you ought to be driving at all. Seriously. What if a tire explodes on you? What are you going to do? Just leave the car on the side of the road for two months until you can fix it? Ain't gonna happen. Just something to ponder. Everyone's strapped these days but if you're THAT strapped perhaps you ought not be partaking in activities which can potentially get very expensive very quickly.

[ErVikingo]

Call Mark. 1800citation

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by bell

I have lots of friends who are cops.....just not here.
I've lived in this town for 3+ years, never been pulled over, cause they are notorious here for nailing speeders.....
What kills me is he told me he didn't write me a ticket for the lights because it'd be a3 Dollar fix (they are slightly dim), but gave me the $116 ticket instead......
Whatever.....dumb ****.....

That is D-Baggery...