City of Houston = bunch of thiefs

[ttomp]

I got a speeding ticket abour 45 days ago, i was driving on the middle lane about 50 feet behind an 18 wheeler , when al of the suden i heard a couple of rocks hiting my windshield so i decided to pass him because I don't want a rock chip on my windshield , but right when I pulled to the left lane to pass I see the cop with the radar gun pointing it at me, 5 minutes later I'm signing my ticket and on my way to work.

30 days later I'm in front of the judge (not Judge) telling her I'm innocent and asking for jury by judge; 15 days later (yesterday) I'm in front of the judge again (a different one)waiting for my ticket to be dissmissed since the cop is nowhere to be found , when they call my name I was thinking this is it I'm home free but to my surprise and a couple of other people she tells me that the cop is not there but I have 2 options : either wait what she said could be 20 minutes or 5 hours ,she is not sure since the cop is at another court room or pay $200 and just have the ticket dissmissed , but the funny part is that the 4 people that was there without an attorney all where told the same story .

What ever happened to a fair and speedy trial? I guess that doesn't exist anymore unless you are paris hilton.

I waited 1 more hour and then I decided to surrender my trust for the goverment as well as my $200.

[steveinaz]

But...you were speeding right?

[ttomp]

4 miles over the speeding limit he said. I did not check to see if his gun was calibrated or as a matter of fact I didn't even see the gun at all, just when he was pointing it at me so no... I couldn't tell you if I was speeding.

[PolkThug]

4 over! Are you kidding me? wow.

[zombie boy 2000]

I've gotten pulled over going 36mph in a 35. Seriously. Cop explained it with a straight face.

[heiney9]

Your situation sucks, but I would only have sympathy for you IF this was the only time in your life you were speeding. How many other times have you gotten away with it? That's the way I look at it.

[polkatese]

I'll make sure that I don't drive in state of Tejas...

[dkg999]

Accuracy of the radar guns is +/- 3 mph under ideal conditions with an experienced operator. That's why most dept's have a policy of 5 mph or over so this doesn't come into play. I've heard here in IL that the police depts are under budget crunches because less people are driving, and the ones that still are, are driving slower. They are getting real aggressive on writing the violations. I've noticed this lately on my drive when I have to go into the office.

[etwigs34]

Dude thats suprising, especially since like 10 over in houston is standard! haha, what road were u on? not 10 right?!? (i used to live in houston)

[steveinaz]

You got pinched, pay the ticket and move on. Your gonna spend 3 times the money fighting this thing--and you will lose in the end.

[zombie boy 2000]

I walked away without a ticket and just a warning.

[exalted512]

my brother got pulled over, went to trial 3x because the cop never showed up before they told him they would dismiss it bc the cop still didn't make it...its bull****.
-Cody

[etwigs34]

ya man this whole if the cop doesn't show is bull man! they'll do whatever to still get u!

[ttomp]

yes it was I-10 and that is what i'm getting to they are supposed to dissmiss the ticket if the police officer doesn't show up, I guess they realized the could make more money this way. and yes I paid the $200 to have it dissmissed.

[dkg999]

It varies by state, but in most states the cop doesn't necessarily have to show up. It could be a county prosecutor that shows up. The judges like to honor the being able to confront your acusor and ask questions directly to the ticketing officer concept. Sometimes they will find you guilty, or defer the charge, whatever the minimum they can do if the cop doesn't show up. They figure they can collect the court costs, give you a break and not assign points to ding your insurance/license, and get you on your way even if the cop doesn't show. They know if you're serious you'll show up with an attorney and appeal it.

[bobman1235]

I know in MA they just have a representative from the state police there, not your "accusor." All the ticketing officer has to provide (AFAIK) is his report on the incident, and the state police rep acts as proxy (at least, based on my one experience fighting a ticket).

As for your situation.... what do you get paid, per hour? How much is your time worth? You're going to court two times, meaning you missed two days of work... for a savings of how much? Maybe you're going for the moral victory - 4MPH over the limit really is BS - but the financial victory is questionable at best.

I've heard here in IL that the police depts are under budget crunches because less people are driving, and the ones that still are, are driving slower. They are getting real aggressive on writing the violations.

This gets me so angry. Speeding tickets arent' supposed to be REVENUE. They're punishment / deterrent from dangerous behavior. As soon as they're considered revenue, that's just police / town / state raping its usually law-abiding, tax-paying citizens for non-offenses. If a region needs more revenue, they should raise taxes or cut budget, not victimize its citizens for nothing.

[etwigs34]

I can't believe that u were pulled over for going 4 over on I-10......wtf???? its I-10, the minimum is 10 over! geez! Ya they just got u with those freakin court costs! thats were they get they're money! Thats pretty gay man!

[heiney9]

I can't believe that u were pulled over for going 4 over on I-10......wtf???? its I-10, the minimum is 10 over! geez! Ya they just got u with those freakin court costs! thats were they get they're money! Thats pretty gay man!

Perhaps it was the abrupt lane change that caught his attention. Sometimes I don't use a signal to change lanes; especially if there are no cars around me. I've done it several times when a cop was farther behind me (before I realized) and one time I got pulled over for improper lane change. That just happened to be the time I aggressively changed lanes. Got a ticket for improper lane change. Normally that wouldn't happen except the manner in which I changed lanes caught the cops attention.

[etwigs34]

Perhaps it was the abrupt lane change that caught his attention. Sometimes I don't use a signal to change lanes; especially if there are no cars around me. I've done it several times when a cop was farther behind me (before I realized) and one time I got pulled over for improper lane change. That just happened to be the time I aggressively changed lanes. Got a ticket for improper lane change. Normally that wouldn't happen except the manner in which I changed lanes caught the cops attention.

Thats true......when u make jerky or sudden movements when driving that does catch their eye! So that made him ready to get u for anything he could......very true!

[candyliquor35m]

The courts have got smarter it seems. About 10 years ago I ask for a trial and it was immediately dismissed when the officer wasn't there.

And don't forget the red light camera tickets are a civil matter. If you don't pay them, it only goes on your credit report and you will never get arrested for not paying them.

[PhantomOG]

Sometimes I don't use a signal to change lanes; especially if there are no cars around me.

I've come all too close to getting hit by people on the highway who change lanes without signaling. In my mind signaling makes alot of sense when you think no one is around because of the possibility of someone in your blind spot. If that person sees you're signaling they will have time to react and give a friendly honk to let you know he's there.

[fireshoes]

I got a ticket for not wearing my seat belt...except I was wearing it the whole time. Went to court, and got sent a guilty verdict in the mail. It's just the ******* cop tax.

[wingnut4772]

Just because the cop isn't there doesn't mean he's a 'no show'. If he has a legitimate conflict (such as being set in a different courtroom at the same time) Or if he gets a control number for whatever reason ahead of time the state will get a continuance.

A ticket for 4 over is pretty ridiculous and honestly makes me raise an eyebrow.

[steveinaz]

Personally, I'd prefer the cops out enforcing the law--not having to waste time in court over meritless cases. This is the problem with our juducial system now, over crowded with meritless, rediculous cases (or defense thereof). People get a ticket, get pissed-off because they got caught, and want to fight it. It wastes law enforcements time, your time, and OUR tax dollars.

I've got nothing but love for cops; they have the most dangerous, thankless job on the planet. Never got a ticket I didn't deserve yet, and missed out on quite a few I should'a got...

[bobman1235]

At the same time, Steve, there has to be a method for someone to fight an actual unjust ticket. There has to be checks and balances for the few (very few) cops who are unscrupulous or just plain wrong.

[steveinaz]

You're always gonna have the odd-ball **** head. It happens. But how often does this really happen? Rarely is my bet.

I agree that the opportunity should be there to defend your case--PROVIDED your case has merit. Being pissed cause you got caught isn't "merit." In most counties in Arizona, a judge will not even consider the "radar calibration" defense; and will likely chew your ass for wasting his/her time.

[Demiurge]

At the same time, Steve, there has to be a method for someone to fight an actual unjust ticket. There has to be checks and balances for the few (very few) cops who are unscrupulous or just plain wrong.

There is. Stop electing idiots. We're all responsible for the governments we have. They made it nearly impossible for the common man to fight an unjust ticket by making it not worth the time/money to do it.

I has my epiphany when I went to fight a bogus ticket and noticed that the courtroom was littered with about 8 Plasma screen TVs (this is when they were about $10,000 a pop). I realized why they had to "tax" people like me by handing out questionable tickets.

The only way to deal with it is to elect people at the local level who will fight to eliminate this kind of waste. They're hard to find, but they're out there.

Then again, I see the wisdom in not bogging down the court system with crap tickets. We'd never get anything done. It's half the reason just showing up to court nearly guarantees some type of reduction.

[michael_w]

Rarely? I guess it depends on your location but it happens a lot around here. They're especially tough on younger drivers as well. Just last week I was stopped as I was getting into my car and he told me my entire story of what I was doing was a lie and that I didn't actually live there, searched my car, thought I was selling cocaine (in reality it was bag that had sour keys in it), thought I was stealing the car, thought I was in a gang and then proceeded to give me a breathalyzer. All just in front of my house before I even started the car. Even driving very defensively in a camry I get pulled over at least once or twice a month for no reason other than "to check". Even just sitting at Tim Hortons, police will park in front of my car and run my plates as I'm drinking a coffee. It gets frustrating after the first few times.


4mph over the limit is pretty lame and surprising you ended up with both a $200 bill and wasted time in court. Hopefully it doesn't happen again, but the quick lane changes are a huge flag for police since they draw attention away from the general flow of traffic. Good luck in the future!

[dorokusai]

There's nothing that a small flask of lighter fluid, crazy laughter and a midget can't handle. I've been scott free for many years.