TX question: was this citation lawful?

[PapaBear]

You are lucky that you are in TX. If you were in CA we would impound your vehicle and put you afoot for thirty days. Additionally, we would issue a ticket that would cost you an additional fee. Total costs could exceed a couple thousand dollars. So, register your vehicle and make certain you keep that inspection sticker current.

Now, here is a thought: rather than take a chance you will get a ticket for expired tags, how about takiing public transportation until you save up the necessary funds to purchase your registration and get your inspection?

Good luck!!!

[retdetsgt]

[acreature]

Thank you for your replies to my query. I'm a little surprised by the tendency of many posters above to immediately assume that there was criminal intent

There was criminal intent. You knew it was expired and operated the vehicle regardless. Intent.

While I am no stickler for such infractions of the law, they are still infractions which are enforceable by citation, warning or arrest (reg exp is a Misd in NC), dependent upon the discretion of the Officer involved.

[TX-LEO]

bout my financial situation, essentially throwing myself upon his mercy.

He chose to issue $300 in citations anyway, knowing full well that I am not in any financial position to pay them with no source of income. Heck, if I can't afford a few hundred to get my car past the new emissions tests required for inspection, how am I supposed to come up with another $300 for the tickets?
.

WRONG.

You chose to drive around with $300 in traffic violations on your own. If you can't afford 50$ for a registration, you can't afford to drive that car and need to take the bus. Sell the car, pay your tickets. Comply with state vehicle laws or ride a bicycle.

[BJJVad]

You want my advice? Cut off your internet service so you can pay for the necessities. That way you won't be tempted to blame the police for something which is your own fault, and you'll be able to meet your legal obligations to drive.

I cannot rep you Piggy (gotta spread it around), but I just wanted you to know this is a keen obs.

[retdetsgt]

WRONG.

You chose to drive around with $300 in traffic violations on your own. If you can't afford 50$ for a registration, you can't afford to drive that car and need to take the bus. Sell the car, pay your tickets. Comply with state vehicle laws or ride a bicycle.

Whadda bet the 5 a.m. run to the store was for a pack of $4+ cigarettes?

[lawduck]

Was it lawful?

LOL


;)

[Legoate]

" I let the officer know that the reason I have not renewed the reg/inspections was because I lost my job a few months ago and have not been able to afford the cost of renewals (I drive an older car and some costly repairs are going to be needed before I can pass my emissions test for inspection). I asked if he would consider issuing a warning instead of a citation under the circumstances."

If you cannot afford to register your car, then don't drive it. It's pretty simple really

My friends in the legal & law enforcement communities who I've expressed this to agree completely and thought the stop was suspicious from the get-go, even if it was legal.

If you have so many all-knowing friends then why did you bother asking us? I disagree with them, and in my state we can actually cite and tow cars that are in public parking lots for registration violations- and I have on many occasions.

next time you choose to pull over a low-income driver who is clearly no menace or danger to society, perhaps consider their circumstances and issue a warning instead.
Makes a lot of sense. There couldn't possibly be any ethical issues with me only citing people of a certain income level- I mean why would that bother anyone? Go preach elsewhere. If you commit a violation and get caught you pay the fine. In CA these are general intent crimes- meaning the legislature doesn't care about why you committed the offense, just that you did commit it.

answers imbedded.