Cops & economy

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

So I got my first traffic citation ever in the states. For $75 on making an "improper right turn" on a one way street. Apparently, the dude doing 50 on the one way (a school zone 25mph) was less dangerous than my scary turn into the far most lane and not the closest lane.

I understand cops are just doing their job but when they net pick like this, it's bull ****. Going over the speed limit is a fair ticket but not turning into the closet lane? Seriously? Is he that desperate to fill in his quota? Maybe he should stop eating so much and he'll be able to actually catch the people who need citations, you know the ones who are actually doing **** that endangers people. Since my contract ran up I was considering applying to join the PD, I might just do that now just to drop that guy.

Whambulance · Apr 7, 2010

Illegal is illegal. Also quota's are a myth. It's against federal law to have a quota for tickets or infractions.

Kuz · Apr 7, 2010

go to court for it. they might drop it.

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

Hyk said:
Illegal is illegal. Also quota's are a myth. It's against federal law to have a quota for tickets or infractions.

"Cops are often subject to annual performance reviews. For traffic cops one of the few personal, objective, metrics is volume and nature of citations. So although rarely are "you must write 100 tickets per month" quotas enforced; when it comes time to decide promotions or layoffs the guy with only 50 tickets can be passed over or thought of first. Or at least there is that perception by cops."

Also, what the idiots don't realize is that it sets off fun chain reactions like, Insurance price raise, sometimes which means you have to cancel because you can't afford the cost and then you either quit your job because you can't drive to work or you take the risk and drive without insurance. Cops are supposed to be catching real criminals while doing traps but these criminals know not to break traffic laws and so the average person gets ticketed instead.

dudedafool · Apr 7, 2010

DarkDeserter said:
"Cops are often subject to annual performance reviews. For traffic cops one of the few personal, objective, metrics is volume and nature of citations. So although rarely are "you must write 100 tickets per month" quotas enforced; when it comes time to decide promotions or layoffs the guy with only 50 tickets can be passed over or thought of first. Or at least there is that perception by cops."

Also, what the idiots don't realize is that it sets off fun chain reactions like, Insurance price raise, sometimes which means you have to cancel because you can't afford the cost and then you either quit your job because you can't drive to work or you take the risk and drive without insurance. Cops are supposed to be catching real criminals while doing traps but these criminals know not to break traffic laws and so the average person gets ticketed instead.

You broke the law, therefore making you a criminal, he caught the criminal and ticketed him.
Looks like a job well done to me, had you ever listened to read properly when you did driving school you would know you're supposed to go into the first lane, when you turn left you can go into any lane you want.

And about him not stopping the other guy instead of you.
He saw you, not the other driver.

It's people like you who are always sayign "F the cops, F'in pigs" then you love them more than anything when they help you when you need them the most.

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

dudedafool said:
You broke the law, therefore making you a criminal, he caught the criminal and ticketed him.
Looks like a job well done to me, had you ever listened to read properly when you did driving school you would know you're supposed to go into the first lane, when you turn left you can go into any lane you want.

Everyone post of your is essentially you trolling.

I broke the law by turning into the far most lane and not the closest one, OH GOD! WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO, it's obvious I never paid attention during traffic school because I needed to make a left turn so I turned into the left lane and not the right.

It's trolls like you that make me want to bash my head against my keyboard. I never said I hate the police you terribad troll, My grandfather was chief and my father was a patrol officer. The fact that you haven't been banned yet amazes me.

dudedafool · Apr 7, 2010

DarkDeserter said:
Everyone post of your is essentially you trolling.

I broke the law by turning into the far most lane and not the closest one, OH GOD! WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO, it's obvious I never paid attention during traffic school because I needed to make a left turn so I turned into the left lane and not the right.

That's why you wait for a perfect time to turn into the first lane then you know..... move over?

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

dudedafool said:
That's why you wait for a perfect time to turn into the first lane then you know..... move over?

Seeing that my turn was less than 200 feet, no. I didn't want someone to cut me off like so many people do, the maneuver was hardly a dangerous or life threatening move. The fact that it even warranted a fine over $20 is what pisses me off.

dudedafool · Apr 7, 2010

DarkDeserter said:
Seeing that my turn was less than 200 feet, no. I didn't want someone to cut me off like so many people do, the maneuver was hardly a dangerous or life threatening move. The fact that it even warranted a fine over $20 makes me sad.

Maybe drive until you can get into the left lane... then... Uturn?

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

dudedafool said:
Maybe drive until you can get into the left lane... then... Uturn?

The road gets cut off from where the street I was trying to get on to because of a underpass. So, I would've had to gone around the entire town if I missed that turn. I know because I've had to do it before. That part of the city is literally One ways every where.

Kuz · Apr 7, 2010

kuz said:
go to court for it. they might drop it.

i stand by my original statement.

getting a ticket for a moving violation does not make you a criminal.

a felony like reckless driving is another story.

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

kuz said:
i stand by my original statement.

getting a ticket for a moving violation does not make you a criminal.

a felony like reckless driving is another story.

I considered it but in the end the cop is RIGHT regardless of how bull **** it is, Just like cops who fine $100 to people for "jay walking" because they didn't want to walk 4 blocks to a light.

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

I didn't even click post twice and it double posted, qq.

Vampire · Apr 7, 2010

dudedafool said:
You broke the law, therefore making you a criminal, he caught the criminal and ticketed him.

May be you should study the subject before opening your mouth. He isn't criminal. Period.

Even reckless driving isn't a felony, unless you hurt someone. DUIs are usually a felony.

Vampire · Apr 7, 2010

DarkDeserter said:
I considered it but in the end the cop is RIGHT regardless of how bull **** it is, Just like cops who fine $100 to people for "jay walking" because they didn't want to walk 4 blocks to a light.

You would be surprised how many tickets are thrown out or settled for less, though usually most people don't bother with small fines like $50 if points don't go up.

Kuz · Apr 7, 2010

Vampire said:
May be you should study the subject before opening your mouth. He isn't criminal. Period.

Even reckless driving isn't a felony, unless you hurt someone. DUIs are usually a felony.

in some states reckless driving it isnt a felony. it varys by state. in Virginia reckless driving is considered a felony.

and even if the cop is right you can still get the ticket dropped. i would recommend taking a defensive driver course on your own then showing up on the court date. it reflects resposibility and concern.

the other alternative is to just do nothing and watch your insurance go up over a minor ticket.

i have my property and casualty insurance license

any auto insurance company can surcharge you for a moving violation.

TJP · Apr 7, 2010

Vampire said:
You would be surprised how many tickets are thrown out or settled for less, though usually most people don't bother with small fines like $50 if points don't go up.

If you are really interested in fighting for it...

A) The cop may not even show up to court.
B) Try to get the fine settled down, $75 is what people get for considerably more serious traffic violations

While, NO you were not technically following the rules, it should be a warning especially for your first citation. My father experienced a similar situation, going 35 in a 30 in a school zone (the road up until the school is 30) at 8:00PM driving from work after a 15 hour day. Not the favorite encounter. Sometimes they really just do pick on people a little. There's a difference between the spirit and the letter of the law and I agree that sometimes it gives off the wrong message.

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

@The people who say I should take it to court:

Do you think I should higher a Attorney? I checked on line but there is no traffic citation lawyers here.

Kuz · Apr 7, 2010

DarkDeserter said:
@The people who say I should take it to court:

Do you think I should higher a Attorney? I checked on line but there is no traffic citation lawyers here.

no you dont need an attorney. but like i said you should take a defensive driver course before you go in. it shows responsibility to take the matter into your own hands.

also what state do you live in?

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

Idaho, I'll see if I can find any defensive driver courses around here.

ToonConnect · Apr 7, 2010

DarkDeserter said:
Idaho, I'll see if I can find any defensive driver courses around here.

You can do that if you really want to make a good impression. But from my experience just showing up to court is the best bet, most likely the cop won't show. The ticket he handed out is worth a lot less than $75 to him, so I'm sure he'd rather spend his afternoons elsewhere. I've never had a cop show up to court. Having a lawyer present would be blowing the whole thing out of proportion entirely.

TJP · Apr 7, 2010

Agreed, you don't need a lawyer. Go to court to see if you can either get it thrown out or haggled down - while there is no argument you technically broke the rules, $75 seems a bit too harsh, some speeding tickets don't even reach that high.

Usually the cop will do whatever is necessary to "teach" a lesson, rather than make someone's life miserable. Even if that means a warning.

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

So, how would I go about preparing my case and trying to make my point?

Arctus_tibal · Apr 7, 2010

Just an FYI, cops do have quotas, in new zealand anyway

sinbad190 · Apr 7, 2010

I agree that getting a ticket for something like that is pretty menial, but it IS still illegal. The cop can totally justify giving you the ticket, although most cops probably wouldn't have.

I have tons of Law Enforcement friends and I'm willing to bet that;
A) For some reason, the cop didn't like you or didn't like something you did (attitude, stickers on your car, whatever).
- A lot of times, cops will use a minor traffic violation to pull over cars that seem suspicious. If they know you're hiding something, and they can't figure it out, they'll usually just pin you with whatever they can. Also, if you're attitude is lacking respect, they'll do the same.
B) He's a brand new greenback cop and is super gungho about his job.
- A lot of veteran police officers always joke about "greenback" rookies who go around giving tickets and citing for minor crimes fresh out of the academy. The older ones don't waste their time on stuff like that.
C) Whatever you did is a specific pet peeve of his.
- I know a cop who told me that he doesn't care if people go 10-15MPH over the speed limit, but he will almost always cite people who blow red lights.
D) He had a superior officer with them during the traffic stop.
- "See Sergeant? I'm doing my job!"
E) He's on a traffic detail, and the higher ups told him to start enforcing this specific traffic violation heavily.
- **** rolls down hill. Some journalist notes in the paper that accidents occurring after intersections in the number one lane are more frequent. People complain to the mayor. The mayor tells the police chief to start enforcing that law more strictly. The police chief tells captains, who tell the sergeants who tell the officers on traffic detail.

DarkDeserter · Apr 7, 2010

kathunx said:
I agree that getting a ticket for something like that is pretty menial, but it IS still illegal. The cop can totally justify giving you the ticket, although most cops probably wouldn't have.

I have tons of Law Enforcement friends and I'm willing to bet that;
A) For some reason, the cop didn't like you or didn't like something you did (attitude, stickers on your car, whatever).
- A lot of times, cops will use a minor traffic violation to pull over cars that seem suspicious. If they know you're hiding something, and they can't figure it out, they'll usually just pin you with whatever they can. Also, if you're attitude is lacking respect, they'll do the same.
B) He's a brand new greenback cop and is super gungho about his job.
- A lot of veteran police officers always joke about "greenback" rookies who go around giving tickets and citing for minor crimes fresh out of the academy. The older ones don't waste their time on stuff like that.
C) Whatever you did is a specific pet peeve of his.
- I know a cop who told me that he doesn't care if people go 10-15MPH over the speed limit, but he will almost always cite people who blow red lights.
D) He had a superior officer with them during the traffic stop.
- "See Sergeant? I'm doing my job!"
E) He's on a traffic detail, and the higher ups told him to start enforcing this specific traffic violation heavily.
- **** rolls down hill. Some journalist notes in the paper that accidents occurring after intersections in the number one lane are more frequent. People complain to the mayor. The mayor tells the police chief to start enforcing that law more strictly. The police chief tells captains, who tell the sergeants who tell the officers on traffic detail.

I know he was solo in his car and that once I turned he ran to his car and flew after me. He was outside of it (parked in a parking lot on the corner) for whatever reason. As for my attitude it was rather neutral. No idea if he was a rookie or if the mayor has been pressuring police to crack down. No stickers on my car either. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if he was just bored, he had been sitting in the same spot for a few days now. I knew he was there when I approached the turn off.

Cops & economy

Similar threads