The information that Noel gave is excellent! He should really be commended for all the time he took to put it all together. I agree, I would never just pay the ticket - there is no advantage to it. I also agree with him about the ticket defence guys, I would go and work out a plea myself.
The part I didn't agree with was the attitude in this statement:
"but MAN did I ever cross examine the cop... HE WAS PISSED!!!..LOL..
I got total satisfaction in knowing I questioned him like he's never been questioned before..."
As a police officer myself, I think this "the cop is the enemy" attitude is something that should only be seen in criminals, in fact I don't mind it from them at all. A seasoned criminal calling me a pig - I think is just as important as children waving to me as I pass; just the natural order of things... However, it sucks when a decent person like Noel is anti-police.
I write traffic tickets, they are the least favorite part of my job... but still part of my job. Do any of you have things about your work that you don't like but still do because your employer requires it???
I can't claim to speak for other officers but here's a little insight from my side of the encounter:
I don't have anything personal against the person I write a ticket to. After I've written a ticket, I could care less if the person pays it or gets demerits or whatever. If they get out of it, good for them, that's what I call a win-win situation.
I don't give warnings to people with radar detectors. I feel that just owning one is a signal that a person intends to speed and not get caught. Besides they've probably had their share of freebies already.
I hate the feeling of giving a ticket to someone who's nice. When someone is rude or ignorant to me, it is actually the best thing I could hope for. It is such a relief and that uncomfortable "I feel bad I gave them a ticket" feeling vanishes.
As a motorist myself I actually appreciate traffic enforcement. Sure, I hated it when I got a ticket! (paid it) But I ride a 32 year old 550cc motorcycle and I like it when most of the people around me are travelling at close to the speed limit. :-\
I can not even tell you how many people have asked, "why didn't you pull that guy over?" I was shaking my head as I read that Noel felt "unjustly pulled over" because there were two other people speeding in front of him. You know what, the #2 guy would have felt the same way and even the #1 guy probably wouldn't have said "yup, yessir... you got the right guy"
I see this same thing in my kids: when I divide something up between them, they have to look and see how much their siblings got before they can be sure if they are satisfied or not. Same thing here, not a question of "whether or not I was speeding", only "what about them?" :
My personal view is that the lead car is most culpable because they are "setting the pace"; however, pulling the first car over is the riskiest because it involves cutting between cars to separate them. Also, the driver of that car will feel even more "picked on" (perhaps rightfully) if I pass up other speeders that are closer to me, just to get him.
In closing I would say that if you get a ticket (and you are guilty), you should still go to court because the officer might not even show up. Even if they do, they would rather be elsewhere and the crown has a busy docket too; they will likely do a deal with you. For the most part, even if you go to trial your fine and demerits won't be any worse than if you had just paid the ticket - so you have nothing to lose by fighting it and everything to gain. The only decision is: "is it worth giving up the deal to try and get off totally?" Because if you are found guilty, you will have to pay the full amount.
And of course, if you are innocent you should go to trial to prove it.
Lastly, I would suggest that if you "ton-up" you should also "man-up". I hold the view that if I get a ticket, it's no one's fault but my own.
And man is it refreshing to come across people like that...
JME
- Chad