[legion]

Every single time I've been pulled over, it's been by a cop with a chip on his shoulder. Never gotten my vehicle searched thankfully (I do keep a pocket Constitution in my glove box dog-eared to the page on searches and seizures for just such an occasion). I've never gotten a warning--always gotten a ticket and I've never really had more conversation than being asked for license and proof of insurance.

I did have one incident where the state police had set up a road block (in town) and I was coming home late from a casino. I had window tinting on the driver's and passenger side windows (illegal in Illinois, but not something you generally get harrassed for), but not the windshield. Anyway, I get stopped and a 5' 2" rookie walks up to my car and the first words out of his mouth are: "You can take that $h!t off your windows now or I can write you a ticket."

I reply that taking the tinting off would leave the windows cloudy, reduce visibility, and thus making operating the vehicle less safe. I said that I would be happy to remove it at home the right way. He takes my license and proof of insurance. I notice that he checks several other vehicles and lets them go while I'm waiting. More cars show up, he checks them and lets them go. After over an hour of waiting, he finally shows up and writes me a ticket.

I took the ticket to court. I had a whole legal argument prepared. Did you know that the courts have ruled that stopping your vehicle is a seizure of your vehicle? Anyway, I essentially made the argument that the road block was illegal because it "seized" vehicles without probable cause. (I still believe this. I knew it wouldn't fly, but I still believe this.) Anyway, I got about two sentences into my argument. I'm sure the judge didn't want to rule in my favor and take this precious tool from law enforcement, or rule against me and allow me to appeal and make my argument to some higher court. So he interupts me and says: "Are you making a motion to dismiss?"

I say: "I'm sorry your honor?" I was implying that I hadn't heard him.

He repeats: "Are you making a motion to dismiss?"

I say, sheepishly: "Okay."

He says: "Granted. Case dismissed."

As I'm walking away from the bench, I overhear him say to the DA: "You never established the defendant was driving the vehicle."

Lucky break for me.

I've been pulled over maybe half a dozen times. I've always been courteous. I've always gotten the ticket. About half the time, the officer was pleasant. I don't hold anything against them. The other half of the time, I've gotten a real power-tripping @$$hole.

When I become benevolant dictator of the world, road blocks will be illegal, as will using radar or laser guns. My opinion is officers should be actually driving the streets and highways, looking for wreckless drivers (which are the most dangerous in my opinion) and not just speeders.