Letting people off for the wrong reasons

[Johninaustin]

I have no idea where you get your information, but it's incorrect. You are involved in every cite right up to final disposition.

Am I mistaken that officers don't usually get involved with the setting of fines for a ticket here? It's always been my understanding that a court would have a set fine for what you did and you either pay it, plead guilty and talk to a judge, or go to trial.

I used the wrong words in saying that an officer is not involved with a cite, but I didn't believe that cops could lower fines down here. Does it work that way in Austin?

Most fines on common offenses are preset when you plead guilty and pay the fine. When you plead innocent and go to court the "preset" no longer applies. Some offenses are mandatory court and have no preset. (esp a lot of the juvie/alcohol stuff) Any deal or bargain has to go thru me, and like someone already posted, I don't "Deal" very often. I NEVER agree to a lower fine, though I may replace a fine with other requirements.

I'm a big fan of alcohol counseling as part of the "Deal".:D

Of course if they just pay the fine neither the judge or I will ever see them.

Most folks know they are guilty, but go to court trying to work the system(Or believe the crap their friends or the internet tell them about how to beat muni court) They find out that it's not what they expected.

[mcsap]

You don't do your own dental/plumbing/surgery do you ? Well then, don't do your own legal work either. If you come to a traffic hearing without a lawyer, the judge EXPECTS that you know what you are doing. I have been there 100's of times and you have been there once or twice ? I most definitely have the edge.

[Johninaustin]

Okay, how come an edit ended up as two posts?:eek:

[txinvestigator1]

Before I begin this thread, I want it to be known that as far as I know every LEO on this board seems extremely fair.

So now on to my post ...

Officers have the discretion of giving tickets or letting people go. They're people who get away with everything and they're others who have the worst "luck".

I somewhat agree with attitude being a factor in getting a ticket or not. And in fact I have no sympathy for someone complaining that he got a ticket, regardless of the circumstances.

However, we all know that in certain small towns (and even in big towns), HS football players, mayors' daughters, and other people of so-called "importance" get let go solely because of their status. This troubles me. Not only is this morally wrong, it indirectly gives credence to the complaints of people who get ticketed.

How prevalent do you consider this "problem" to be in America? Do you feel it is wrong to let HS football players or people of that like off solely because of that? Do any cops you know let people off because of their status (aside from being emergency personnel or being the mayor)?

This is exactly the reason I had my mind made up before I got out of the car. There was only a small group of factors that could change that.

[Question]

John, I was in Austin on Friday and some bozo (who went with me but was not from Austin) told me that Austin cops don't care about traffic that much. But then again, this same guy told me a few months ago that DWIs don't appear on your criminal record. (in fact DWIs are actually one of the few offenses which can't be deferred)

With your input throughout here, I take uneducated comments with a salt shaker.

[Question]

I'm going to get back on topic now

[Johninaustin]

John, I was in Austin on Friday and some bozo (who went with me but was not from Austin) told me that Austin cops don't care about traffic that much. But then again, this same guy told me a few months ago that DWIs don't appear on your criminal record. (in fact DWIs are actually one of the few offenses which can't be deferred)

With your input throughout here, I take uneducated comments with a salt shaker.

Don't care about traffic? Ho boy does he have that wrong. We have dedicated traffic, motorcycle, License and Weight, and DWI units. (Even voluntary DWI overtime. You can make a lot of extra cash that way) there is also a lot of STEP. (selective traffic enforcement program, it's a grant) We're right on top of the NAFTA truck route from Mexico. (IH-35). Always something to keep you busy.

I'm going to work traffic New Years Eve. Double time plus holiday pay:D

[marchaa]

I set the fine when I write the ticket. Usually I give people breaks. If they fight the ticket in court it automatically goes back up to the original charge. Warnings become tickets ect. I have only had people come to court against my tickets a few times. I have never had one fight the ticket after they found out what the cost of the ticket was going to be if they fought. And I write alot of tickets.

[acreature]

The only charges that people typically fight with me is DWIs, and those are probably about 1 out of every 25

[R1364]

cleared

[Gooch]

After I get the license from the driver I usually ask them if they know why they are being pulled over. The ones that come right out and say it without making up excuses and don't have priors on their driving record are the ones that I say "drive safe" and "have a nice day" to. Incidentally, they're usually the working class blue collar folks. I might even smile. The ones that "have no idea why you pulled me over, Officer" are usually the ones that I end up writing along with the jerks that act like they own the road. I usually don't write up working class people who are sincere and polite.