Question about a ticket i got... PLEASE HELP!!

[gdowkpc]

Don't come here with your mind made up and try to bait officers. I recommended fighting it. I don't have much sympathy for the 'oppressed citizen' defense.

I also resent your comment about young officers. I have only 3 years on, but a traffic ticket is kids play. You really think a new cop can't tell if you have signalled or not?

[coucousis]

I agree with GD .... your comment on young cops is unappropriate.... If you really think that you did signal ... then you put a X in the not guilty box and show up in court... personnaly I think you have fair chances but you need to be ready to show up and convince a judge .... not us....

Now I just want to point out that you could have very well decided to stay behind that cop car and follow the traffic.... I'm always surprised to see people passing me in my cruiser when I'm riding at the legal speed limit.... they would pass me going 5 over and probably thinking that I won't bother with them...what if i'm in a bad mood and decide not to tolerate such behavior??? Most of the time I won't bother but.... I have bad days too .... some days i'm less tolerant then others...
We have to live with that.... You took a chance and pass him !!!! Some how you caught his attention and he was looking at your actions carefully .... you got served... Now you have to figth it.....

Next time... it would save you a lot of trouble just to stay behind and be patient!!!

[mcsap]

We not only require a signal for a turn but over 35 mph you MUST activate it 300 ft before the turn. Under 35 mph, it is 100 ft. So it may not have been the lack of use as the required distance to use it.

[myke]

spliff- isnt that another word for a joint.

If your nickname is referring to some "after school activity" you do you should be more worried about getting caught for that or maybe your lucky he didnt search your car this time.

I also think you messed up by passing the cop and then changing lanes. I am not an LEO BUT If you did that in front of me I would have thought you were trying to be a D&@# or something and if I was a cop I would have pulled you over to.

[gdowkpc]

We not only require a signal for a turn but over 35 mph you MUST activate it 300 ft before the turn. Under 35 mph, it is 100 ft. So it may not have been the lack of use as the required distance to use it.

Excellent point! The statute is the same "Fail to Signal". Not only applies if you don't signal at all, but if you signal improperly (IE, not for a long enough time/distance).

[gijoeyl33]

the real problem here is he said his ticket is no points. that means he wasnt actually charged with no signaling cause that is a two point ticket. the officer cut him a break with a non moving violation, so there is nothing to fight

[spliffsta]

well, in response to DC Law, I didn't pull infront of him and slam my brakes... I was close to the light but not that close... and In response to myke... NO, I wouldn't have had anything to worry about even if he did search my car because I dont do pot... i've tried it.. but that was 3 years ago... and I think its a pretty stupid activity to get involved in.. hell I dont even drink.. or have EVER had a drink in my life... i'm not into that stuff.. spliffsta is just an alias i picked up listening to music... thats it.

In anycase.. I DO agree with everyone else who said that I made a mistake by passing the cop... I do regret that VERY MUCH and I do feel that may have caused him to eye me more... I should have been more patient... but in all truth... I was NOT trying to be a D**K to him or anything like that... But I guess thats what life is all about... the secret is not making the same mistake twice...!!

Whats really interesting is what mcsap said about the distances before turning... I have never heard anyhting like that... or seen anyone do it... most ppl I see driving on the streets just give the blinker and then a second later switch lanes... but its always good to know...

OH and hey, sorry to GD and coucousis and anyone else I may have offended with my previous thread... yesterday was just a really SH1++Y day!!! Thanks for all of your responses!

Take care.

[mcsap]

OK. It might pay to re-read your drivers manual for your state. It has all kinds of good info in it. When people say what you say as a defense, I ask them if they studied the mnaal for the drivers test. When they say yes, I pop it out and show them the appropriate section that they are claiming ignorance on.

Oh well, another potential legal skewering has been prevented.

[coucousis]

Life goes on spliff... !!! Good luck !

[Jynkxxie]

Yeah...what Co Co said. ;)

Let us know how it all goes down.