Discussion » Questions » Legal » Have you ever been stopped by the police for a traffic violation? Did you try to talk your way out of it? Did you succeed?
Harry

Have you ever been stopped by the police for a traffic violation? Did you try to talk your way out of it? Did you succeed?

Just saw on the news that a Mass man tried to convince the court that the officer's radar might have picked up a deer running.  

https://apnews.com/59f83c396abc49c69465fe8ea630b7d5/Deer-defense!-Man-fights-speeding-ticket-with-novel-argument

 LOL!  I guess it was worth a shot to attempt to get out paying of an expensive ticket.  I have never been in this kind of situation.  So, reading about it made me curious.  Have you made up an excuse or said something that you can laugh about now?  Are you brave enough to share your silliness here?


Posted - January 28, 2017
Tag : Deer Defense!

Responses


  • 6124
    Pearl, I think that's a good way to live.  Thanks for sharing. 
      January 29, 2017 4:57 AM MST
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  • Indeed, Pearl, nor do I drive but I can't say that has ever stopped me from annoying the police force. 
      January 29, 2017 5:04 AM MST
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  • 53505
    Have you ever driven, Lucia?
    ~
      January 29, 2017 5:57 AM MST
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  • No, Mr R, I never have. I feel it too volatile and vulnerable and potentially lethal (as all those behind a wheel have the potential to be) to drive. Most people look at me puzzled but that's how it is. I make sure I have chauffeurs available. )
      January 29, 2017 11:19 PM MST
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  • 53505
    I see, thanks!
    ~
      January 30, 2017 6:36 AM MST
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  • 6124
    Haha Lucia!  Care to share some details? 
      January 29, 2017 6:04 AM MST
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  • I've had a few 'encounters' with the Metropolitan Police Force riot squad, let's leave it at that. )
    But one little caper made me feel like I should have kept my mouth shut.
    I was idly walking past the Houses Of Parliament during my working hours one day and decided to ask a Police Constable who was standing outside its gates what the time was.
    This was an old joke about what to ask English coppers, so I did. But he was standing right next to Big Ben, probably the most famous clock in the world.
    I honestly thought he was going to take me behind a wall and batter me. )
      January 29, 2017 11:24 PM MST
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  • 6124
    Great story!  Maybe you managed to catch him at a time when he had been asked that question one too many times that day!  Haha.  Glad you weren't harmed in any way.

    Thanks for sharing.  
      January 30, 2017 6:20 AM MST
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  • I think my English accent made him more annoyed. I should have put on a silly French one instead, he might have been more tolerant, who knows. )
      January 30, 2017 6:27 AM MST
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  • 2219
    Yes. Place I hadn't been for 30 years. Just about out of town, looked as if we should have been past the urban speed limit but no. We did read that the area ran speed traps.

    I should have taken the chance to try to explain that we were on holiday etc, not to mention the wife wanting the loo after we'd passed the local conveniences. . .

    One and only speeding ticket. 
      January 29, 2017 5:20 AM MST
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  • 6124
    Thanks for sharing that Malizz.  Sorry this happened to you.  We have a couple of speed traps in our town.  Thankfully, the residents all know where we need to be careful. Unfortunately, people like you, on holiday, get caught all the time.  I guess it's just a source of income the town feels it needs.  Considering how high our taxes are, no one argues.

      January 29, 2017 6:09 AM MST
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  • It's very early in the morning, I'm northbound on the 405 freeway, in the fast lane, with my wife following me in her car. I'm on my motorcycle and we're the only two cars on the freeway ... believe it or not!
    A police officer pulls up beside me on motions me to the curb. We, all three, pull over with me in front, then the cop and about three cars lengths back ... my wife.  The officer says, "Do you know why I stopped you?"  I said, "No."  He told me that I was going 55mph, which was a little under the speed limit, and that I was impeding traffic.  I said, "I wasn't impeding traffic! That's my wife in that car back there! Go and ask her!"

    He didn't even look around ... just handed me the ticket. This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at January 30, 2017 7:20 AM MST
      January 29, 2017 6:31 AM MST
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  • 6124
    Thanks for responding Alf.

    Wow!  Just wow.  Did you try to fight it in court or just pay the fine?   
      January 29, 2017 7:44 AM MST
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  • We were leaving the L.A. area and driving home to Santa Clarita (about 50 miles). 
    If I went to court, on the ticket, I would have had to drive back to LA in morning traffic ...
    or start at 2:00 am and then wait for everything to open up.  I paid the ticket.  
    I wasn't the ticket money that mattered, but that messed-up my driving record! This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at January 29, 2017 8:13 AM MST
      January 29, 2017 7:50 AM MST
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  • 6124
    Yeah, I was thinking that.  Points on the license.  I think they count on the fact that going to court is a major inconvenience for people.  

    Recently a friend of mine was cited on something that was clearly the other driver's fault.  But, because he is a calm, easy going guy and the other driver was yelling & carrying on, the office decided it was easier to cite my friend.  My buddy didn't argue with the officer, just took the ticket.  If it had only been a fine, he was prepared to pay it and move on with life.  But, after I told him it meant points on his license, that was not something he could live with.  He showed up at court.  The officer was very surprised and not at all comfortable.  Bottom line, my friend was able to prove his case & successfully had it dismissed.  But, in the interest of fairness, he is retired and had the time to do it. 
      January 29, 2017 8:29 AM MST
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  • Yes .... time.  Three hours into LA, if there are no accidents.  Ah well, it all worked out. :)
      January 29, 2017 8:38 AM MST
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  • 53505
    That's horrible!
      January 30, 2017 6:38 AM MST
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  • If I hadn't been in the "fast lane," it probably wouldn't have happened, but I was on a motorcycle and have a habit of choosing what I believe will be the cleanest part of the road. Don't like flat tires. This was back before tire sealant was available.
      January 30, 2017 6:59 AM MST
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