MAY 19, 2011
Little update to this one.....
Round 1 goes to me. Hit court today and officer comes unprepared with all the docs I'd filed for in subpoena. We all banter back and forth on the validity of the documents and the judge sided with me. I almost motioned for dismissal, but didn't think the judge would go for it this early in the process.
Since the docs weren't presented and I needed them (and time) to prepare my defense I motioned for a continuance. Judge granted said motion and ordered the PD to provide me with the docs I'd requested.
Now, whether they'll help or not who knows. Next court date is June 16.
I've got a couple of subpoenas to file based on things I learned today in court.
I'll post up the full story after it all plays out.
MARCH 3, 2011
Gonna be a beautiful day here today so decided to take the Challenger to work. Gave the better half a ride to work as well.
Coming down a long straight stretch my radar detector (Escort 8500 X50) is going berserk. I make sure I'm doing the speed limit (45MPH) cool and just cruise.
About 2 miles down I'm a a big intersection, the first car at the light. I'm crossing a 4 lane, I'm on a 4 lane, and on the other side it's 2 lane. Radar is still going nuts.
Light turns green and I gingerly cross the intersection. On the other side the speed limit drops to 30MPH. So I just coast and ease in to 4th gear. Sure enough there they are in the Lowe's parking lot. I figure there's been a wreck as there's two cars.
Cop waves me in the parking lot so I abide. He asks if I know why I've been stopped "no Sir".
Him - Speeding
Me - no way, my radar detector has been going off for miles and I was tenacious with watching my speed here, I saw you guys.
Him - he pauses like he's not sure
Me - I point to my gal and say "sir she and I were both commenting on being sure I was at 30MPH and I was".
Him - turns the radar gun around and says "well the gun locked on to your car and it says 47MPH".
Me - WHAT!? NO WAY. We're like 200 yards from the stop light.
Him - that's what it says and you left the car behind you in the dust, wait here please.
Gives me a ticket for 47 in a 30. Good grief. His gun must have hit another vehicle coming down the long stretch approaching the red light.
Bad thing is now I have to take a day off work to go contest it in court, my gal will be going with me as a witness.
My dad is a retired LEO, so I'd normally not even bother to contest the facts on the side of the road, but it was such an obvious mistake I just couldn't help it and thought maybe he'd just give me a warning and avoid the hassles. If I'm guilty I'm guilty and would just opt for traffic school, but I was just dumbfounded on this one as the Escort gave me loads of warning and I was EXTRA careful to be dead on my speed to not give any excuses.
I'll be contesting this one, and will likely have to even appeal if the lower court judge finds me guilty. It's the principle.
Ah, the system!
Little update to this one.....
Round 1 goes to me. Hit court today and officer comes unprepared with all the docs I'd filed for in subpoena. We all banter back and forth on the validity of the documents and the judge sided with me. I almost motioned for dismissal, but didn't think the judge would go for it this early in the process.
Since the docs weren't presented and I needed them (and time) to prepare my defense I motioned for a continuance. Judge granted said motion and ordered the PD to provide me with the docs I'd requested.
Now, whether they'll help or not who knows. Next court date is June 16.
I've got a couple of subpoenas to file based on things I learned today in court.
I'll post up the full story after it all plays out.
MARCH 3, 2011
Gonna be a beautiful day here today so decided to take the Challenger to work. Gave the better half a ride to work as well.
Coming down a long straight stretch my radar detector (Escort 8500 X50) is going berserk. I make sure I'm doing the speed limit (45MPH) cool and just cruise.
About 2 miles down I'm a a big intersection, the first car at the light. I'm crossing a 4 lane, I'm on a 4 lane, and on the other side it's 2 lane. Radar is still going nuts.
Light turns green and I gingerly cross the intersection. On the other side the speed limit drops to 30MPH. So I just coast and ease in to 4th gear. Sure enough there they are in the Lowe's parking lot. I figure there's been a wreck as there's two cars.
Cop waves me in the parking lot so I abide. He asks if I know why I've been stopped "no Sir".
Him - Speeding
Me - no way, my radar detector has been going off for miles and I was tenacious with watching my speed here, I saw you guys.
Him - he pauses like he's not sure
Me - I point to my gal and say "sir she and I were both commenting on being sure I was at 30MPH and I was".
Him - turns the radar gun around and says "well the gun locked on to your car and it says 47MPH".
Me - WHAT!? NO WAY. We're like 200 yards from the stop light.
Him - that's what it says and you left the car behind you in the dust, wait here please.
Gives me a ticket for 47 in a 30. Good grief. His gun must have hit another vehicle coming down the long stretch approaching the red light.
Bad thing is now I have to take a day off work to go contest it in court, my gal will be going with me as a witness.
My dad is a retired LEO, so I'd normally not even bother to contest the facts on the side of the road, but it was such an obvious mistake I just couldn't help it and thought maybe he'd just give me a warning and avoid the hassles. If I'm guilty I'm guilty and would just opt for traffic school, but I was just dumbfounded on this one as the Escort gave me loads of warning and I was EXTRA careful to be dead on my speed to not give any excuses.
I'll be contesting this one, and will likely have to even appeal if the lower court judge finds me guilty. It's the principle.
Ah, the system!