Need help guys. [Archive]

NIevo

10-09-2006, 05:16 PM

Well today was officially the worst day ever. Not going to go into all of it but I need some help with the kicker here.

I was heading into Spokane to go to Fastcart with some friends and got nailed at the speed trap at the Valley Mall. The bad part is its such a bullshit ticket I think it was just because of my car.

Ok first off he said I was doing 76 in a 60 and said it was clocked with the plane. Well I was doing maybe 66-67 and was going with traffic but Im the only one that got pulled over!

Second he would even take the time to talk to me. He didnt ask for my registration or insurance. He simple walked up, asked for my ID, said what speed I was doing, wrote the ticket, and took off. He didnt even have me sign it!!

Is there any place over there that would help me get this dropped to a non-moving violation or dropped? I know in St. Louis when I lived there they had places you could go and pay them and they could get almost anything dropped to a non-moving violation.

Thanks for any help guys. Sorry so long Im just really pissed right now.

MustangGirl

10-09-2006, 05:27 PM

I have no clue..I thought you had to sign for any ticket you received....maybe you can get it dropped because of that...

Metz Motorsports

10-09-2006, 05:40 PM

I just got a ticket in August and went just last week to court on it. The pros. attorney (I guess thats who he was) pretty much made a deal with everyone in there for speeding, as long as your driving record was clean, or somewhat clean. He dropped most of the speeding tickets to an expired tabs ticket and reduced the fine, most of them by half. Except for me, who has not had a ticket in 9 years but 9 years ago and way before that I had a really fawked up driving record....and he said he could use that against me and didnt give me a break at all. So basically if I were you I would mail the ticket in marked 'contested' and they will send you a court date. Go to that and make a deal with them. Best way to do it cuz they arent going to drop it. Spokane needs the money LOL.

edit: I didnt have to sign my ticket either, he just marked 'copy recieved' and thats ok I guess.

Silver R/T

10-09-2006, 06:25 PM

you didnt sign it...you're not liable for it. There's no way they should have you pay it if you didnt sign it, its just illegal.

NIevo

10-09-2006, 06:41 PM

Nope it wasnt signed. It was marked Copy Received. Im serious the whole thing took maybe 3-4 minutes at the most. He didnt even give me a chance to say anything.

Silver R/T

10-09-2006, 06:47 PM

He has to have signed copy at least, if it doesnt have your signature on it, you can argue about it. have to look it up to see where it says about signing ticket to make it valid. As far as you know he might've just wrote it down without your knowledge.
Btw, what do you mean "clocked with the plane"?

NIevo

10-09-2006, 06:55 PM

He said that they had a plane that was timing people betwwen two points in the road and radioing ahead or something. Like I said he was in such a hurry to get out of there and write more tickets I really didnt get much explained.

gregc

10-09-2006, 07:26 PM

amandac

10-09-2006, 08:03 PM

Out of all the speeding tickets I've gotten, I've always had to sign. Where you're supposed to sign it clearly states you are not agreeing to have broken the law, you have be informed that you can contest it, yada yada. Not signing it basically says the idiot cop didn't inform you of jack shit.

Definitely take it to court. I got a 12 over and no insurance ticket that was originally 600+ dropped to 5 over and exp tabs at only 200+. Also make sure the ticket is all accurate otherwise. They drop it down when there are mistakes too. As for the plane clocking you, their little radar guns are inaccurate by atleast 5 mph from what I have been told. You have a good chance of getting the whole thing dropped....

Silver R/T

10-09-2006, 08:20 PM

Sounds like you are kinda screwed. Best bet would be to call a lawyer if you really want to fight it. It will be your word against two cops (the plane and the car). The deal with planes is it was what you were doing a mile or more back. Not what you were doing when you started to get pulled over.

And don't believe that signing shit either... if all you had to do is not sign, then no one would have tickets because no one would sign.

I personally would love to see them use the plane during morning (6:00-9:00am) traffic. Tons of big time speeders there.

wtf man, like you never speed. Probably would get speeding ticket too, eventually. Personally I think they should target crime not speeders to recoup for cost of buying new Crown Victorias. And try not signing a ticket next time when you get pulled over, tell me later what happens ;)
Just a reality check, dude.

BOOGEYMAN

10-09-2006, 08:54 PM

Sounds like you are kinda screwed. Best bet would be to call a lawyer if you really want to fight it. It will be your word against two cops (the plane and the car). The deal with planes is it was what you were doing a mile or more back. Not what you were doing when you started to get pulled over.

And don't believe that signing shit either... if all you had to do is not sign, then no one would have tickets because no one would sign.

I personally would love to see them use the plane during morning (6:00-9:00am) traffic. Tons of big time speeders there.

Great post Greg!! atleast someone who is posting in this thread has some common sence.

Travis.

Throttletag

10-09-2006, 09:11 PM

Sounds like you are kinda screwed. Best bet would be to call a lawyer if you really want to fight it. It will be your word against two cops (the plane and the car). The deal with planes is it was what you were doing a mile or more back. Not what you were doing when you started to get pulled over.

And don't believe that signing shit either... if all you had to do is not sign, then no one would have tickets because no one would sign.

I personally would love to see them use the plane during morning (6:00-9:00am) traffic. Tons of big time speeders there.

Great post Greg!! atleast someone who is posting in this thread has some common sence.

Travis.

Total agreement here!

BOOGEYMAN

10-09-2006, 09:22 PM

Another vetran comes out of the wood work late at night......;)

Mr. Hoy

10-09-2006, 10:21 PM

Another vetran comes out of the wood work late at night......;)

The freaks come out at night...

If you talk to a lawyer asap you may be able to just pay him and have him go to the court house and get your ticket pulled. One of my friends did that, it wasn't cheap but it beats what you'll pay on insurance premiums.

gixslayer

10-10-2006, 05:00 AM

i know for a fact you are no longer required to sign tickets in washington. This was effective 7/1 :(

Sorry you got nabbed for speeding, Spokane is getting gay as hell. You can't scratch your balls without getting a recklas driving ticket

gregc

10-10-2006, 06:27 AM

Original poster:
Fact - You were speeding (you stated so in your original post).
Fact - You got caught.

Your options:
Contest it and hope the judge or prosecutor is nice to you.
Get a lawyer and see if they can get you off on a technicality. There are a bunch, including checking to see if a radar gun is calibrated correctly. With the plane though, you likely don't have much of a chance.

Silver R/T:
The State Patrol is primarily for patrol of highways and traffic laws. Don't like it? Go vote.
Find me the law where it requires you to sign a ticket. Here, I'll even help: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/
Be prepared to do a lot of searching, because you aren't going to find it. Feel free to search case law too to prove me wrong.

What is funny is people complain about getting caught for doing something they did wrong. Then they complain that there isn't enough enforcement in other areas. It basically is the same as saying "damn it, go catch those other law breakers and stop bothiering me when I break the law." If you don't like the laws, go run for office and try to change em. Or at least even vote.

As for the question Silver had if I speed... my record has been clean for nearly ten years now. Is it because I don't speed? Or is it because I'm smart enough to know when not to speed?

Sorry Nievo, it is nothing personal, it is simple facts. Don't want to get hassled by law enforcement, don't break the law. It would be worth it to call a lawyer to ask them their opinion.

Ninja_Bear

10-10-2006, 06:30 AM

If you really dont want it on your record, defer.

94blueGSX

10-10-2006, 07:20 AM

If you really dont want it on your record, defer.

I was going to ask if you've used your deferment yet. A possibility you haven't and you can use it now. Also, the only thing that you have an edge on is the plane. You could have asked to see the radar gun and if they can't show it to you at the speed you were clocked at, then you have a case, unless that law changed as well.

Anyways, I would just contest it, get a court date and see what happens. YOu can tell them your story and see if the judge gives you a break or not. He might or might not. That sucks about the signing thing, I didn't know that either.

I'm scared shitless to speed on most any road anymore. My record just came clean in February.

Turbo

10-10-2006, 10:55 AM

is that really true??? if u ask to see the radar gun and if they cant show it/prove it that u were speeding u can get the ticket dropped? because my buddy asked to see the radar gun one time and the officer said no, theres nothing too see on it... gave him a ticket and he had to pay for it...

MrmnGrl

10-10-2006, 12:16 PM

I have a friend who works for the State Patrol (of washington). He told me that they are NOT required to show you the radar gun when/if you ask and that does not effect whether you're "guilty" or not. Most of those rumors are just rumors.

NIevo

10-10-2006, 12:26 PM

Ok, I never said I wasnt speeding, but there is a difference between 76 and 66. Also I was going the same speed as cars around me and I was the ONLY ONE to get pulled over. Also from what little info I did get from the officer they werent even radaring, they were using marks on the road and timing I guess.

Im not sure what you guys mean by defer? I havent had a moving violation in about 7 years and my record is clean.

Ninja_Bear

10-10-2006, 12:34 PM

get a copy of your driving record from the DOL. Contest the ticket, if you lose whatever case you try to put on the judge, you can fall back on the deferral option:

Pretty much means you pay the ticket, and they keep the ticket off your record as long as you dont get any more for a year.

Im going in tomorrow to do just this myself. (80 in a 60). ...fuckin valley speed traps...

JEFFRO

10-10-2006, 01:00 PM

Oh how I love the cop myths the timing method from planes and helicopters is the most effective way of determining speed believe it or not! As far as the "radar" thing #1 They haven't used "radar" guns for years Its all laser now (more accurate). On my ride along we pulled over tons of people for speeding and a few of theme asked to see thee calibration certificate or the read out on the gun. My favorite response was "sure I can show you the read out on the gun there's a nice view from my back seat!" It was classic but you don't have the right to see the read out or the calibration certificate when you get popped for speeding the best bet is to pay the ticket and go about your way! That's what I did when I got popped on Indiana doing 54 in a 35! I was lucky the cop felt like being nice and didn't give me a reckless that was like 4 years ago. Any way just putting in my 2 cents

AWDfanatic

10-10-2006, 04:39 PM

Cops can ticket you with the pacing method as well, I don't agree with it but have been ticketed that way, they are not required to use a radar gun or laser. How much is the ticket? I've heard that if you mail in a check for like 2 dollars over the system is required to cut you a check for the difference, when you recieve this 2 dollar check don't cash it, just rip it up and throw it away, the system will not issue any points on your license until the transaction is complete and it never will be until you cash that check. But since your record is clean then there is probably no point in you doing that. I don't even know if it works I've just heard it a few times.

talntid

10-10-2006, 05:27 PM

... and this is how false rumors are spread..

Silver R/T

10-10-2006, 06:10 PM

if you do go to court...whatever you do DO Not tell judge "everyone else around me was doing same speed" that WONT work. I guarantee it :)

Silver R/T

10-10-2006, 06:14 PM

Silver R/T:
The State Patrol is primarily for patrol of highways and traffic laws. Don't like it? Go vote.
Find me the law where it requires you to sign a ticket. Here, I'll even help: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/
Be prepared to do a lot of searching, because you aren't going to find it. Feel free to search case law too to prove me wrong.

What is funny is people complain about getting caught for doing something they did wrong. Then they complain that there isn't enough enforcement in other areas. It basically is the same as saying "damn it, go catch those other law breakers and stop bothiering me when I break the law." If you don't like the laws, go run for office and try to change em. Or at least even vote.

As for the question Silver had if I speed... my record has been clean for nearly ten years now. Is it because I don't speed? Or is it because I'm smart enough to know when not to speed?

It possibly says it right on the copy of the ticket...I'm not sure but Ive read it somewhere

NIevo

10-10-2006, 07:33 PM

"Is there any place over there that would help me get this dropped to a non-moving violation or dropped? I know in St. Louis when I lived there they had places you could go and pay them and they could get almost anything dropped to a non-moving violation."

Ok, this is what I asked in the first post. I dont care if you think I deserved it or not, I asked if there was a easy way to take care of it or not. Thanks to some of you guys that actually tried to help.

BTW: They do still use radar, laser is expensive and some areas still dont use it.

gregc

10-10-2006, 09:12 PM

Like I answered in my first post... call a lawyer. They don't charge you for advise. Ask them about the defered thing.

JEFFRO

10-11-2006, 06:18 AM

BTW:??They do still use radar, laser is expensive and some areas still dont use it.

Podunk arkansas! its been a nation wide stanrd scince 2002

AWDfanatic

10-11-2006, 07:50 AM

You have a clean history just contest it and they will probably automatically reduce it.

talntid

10-11-2006, 08:50 AM

BTW:??They do still use radar, laser is expensive and some areas still dont use it.

Podunk arkansas! its been a nation wide stanrd scince 2002

Holy Spelling Cow, Batman!

a1320honda

10-11-2006, 10:07 AM

Hey whats up man. You can call my lawyer James Kirkham. He got my 2 DWLS 3rd dropped to non moving violations. hes a badass Lawyer. His Number 509-323-0420. Tell him Steve Messmer sent you, hell help you out.

VWLover

10-11-2006, 10:19 AM

talntid

10-11-2006, 10:32 AM

rofl. Steve, I may be calling that lawyer! LOL :)

MrmnGrl

10-11-2006, 10:35 AM

holy cow, deb! Thats awesome! Wow...some people...being a cop, you think he would notice a muffler!

NIevo

10-11-2006, 12:17 PM

Another thing that might help is to watch your speed! My bright ass yellow car gets me pulled over for some of the stupid shit. Last time was to ask me where my muffler was????? Rather then being a smart ass with him I went with the bubble brain thing and said I think it's under the car? and smiled. And he looked at me like for a sec and shook his head and handed me back me lic, and said have a nice day. LOL

Lol...thats funny.

I usually drive 4-5 over the limit on the highway. Thats why I dont buy the speed they said. 16 over in a place where you know cops always are in a car like mine is stupid.

I have two brother-in-laws who are cops, I know they still use radar.