[northern bullitt]

While driving my wife's car with everyone in it I came up to a stop sign. I put on the brakes, stopped the car and drove away from the stop. All of a sudden, I realize that I'm being pulled over for failing to stop.My question is this, should I choose to contest the citation in court[since I did stop, however not for the required 3 seconds]or just pay the fine and forget about it,what is your opinion?

 

[bullitt220]

Northern Bullitt,

My wife just beat a $300 speeding ticket because I forced her to let it go up through the court system.

The cop that pulled her over was in an unmarked car and was following her for 2 miles with out identifying himself as a police officer. He kept weaving behind her and kept riding up on her rear bumper for what he said was to check out the reg. sticker on her tags. "He thought it was expired."

Well, my wife was scared and thought it was a road rage or drunk driver so she sped up to get away from this guy.

Anyway, we went to court twice and the officer failed to show up both times so the judge threw it out as "not responsible".

My advice is let it grind through the system. They are counting on most of us to just give up and pay.

If you feel you are right as we did, you have to stand your ground.

:smile:

 

[Damdannyboy]

Fight the ticket, only if you have the time to spend going to court, and have a good driving record, ask what sun dial he was using.(just kidding!)good luck!

_________________

Black Bullitt

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Damdannyboy on 2002-01-27 11:43 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Damdannyboy on 2002-01-27 11:43 ]</font>

 

[bullitt0399]

I dont know many cops with a stop watch.Fight the ticket.Even if he/she does have a stop watch,when was the last date of calibration?

 

[BamaBullit]

I'm a cop and I say go to court! You did stop. I have never heard of a three sec. rule. Might be different in Canada. Some folks around here think that a stop sign is merely a suggestion! The only other thing you have to worry about is how much the judge likes his cops!

_________________

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: BamaBullit on 2002-01-27 13:28 ]</font>

 

[BamaBullit]

I forgot Northern Bullitt you should know Tuscaloosa pretty well yourself! If you ever went to court in T-town you may have met the judge we call"Judge Bookie" :grin:

 

[Blakwing]

The words you'll want to stick to...
"I came to a Full and Complete stop. Checked both ways, and finding NO other traffic proceeded safely through the intersection."
As long as you didn't roll through you should be fine. No where on the stop sign is it posted "Stop.. for 3 seconds".
That is a favorite tactic of the police out here. Ticketing for "Not stopping long enough". I've got about 4 of these in my career and haven't paid for a single one.
Also.. Go to your local DMV and get a "Rules of the Road" booklet that they give for training drivers. No where in ours did it state that you must stop of any length of time.
This is the complete text about stop signs..
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
This eight-sided sign means stop. You must make a complete stop at the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. Yield the right-ofway to pedestrians and approaching traffic. If it is a fourway STOP sign, wait your turn. If the STOP sign is hand held, stop until an authorized person, such as a school guard or construction zone flagger, signals that it is safe to proceed.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>


Good Luck to ya!

_________________
Blakwing

2001 DHG Bullitt #171


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Blakwing on 2002-01-27 14:23 ]</font>

 

[northern bullitt]

Thanks for the support fellow Bullittheads, you all bring up excellent points. I had planned on fighting this citation, based on principle alone, and now with your support I feel much more confident of the outcome!

 

[qtrhorse]

Just a thought. Many of todays law enforcement vehicles are equiped with video cameras to preserve the evidence as an unbiased witness for use in prosecution if needed. I would have to be absolutely sure I stopped before I would consider fighting the ticket. Good Luck.