We got pulled over the other day by a police officer in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We were at a stop light, and we started moving, as soon as we started down the road (not even hitting the speed limit), a guy walks in middle of the 4 lane road he was pulling us over. We saw that it was a police officer so we started to move over, we thought he was just directing traffic.
He pulled us over by walking in the middle of the street! We couldn't beleive it. He asked us do you know how fast you were going, we said "we didn't even hit the 40 mph yet". Then he said I clocked you at 55. We couldn't believe this guy.
After he wrote us a ticket, he proceeded to go back to his hiding spot, in the bushes. Are police getting this desperate to write tickets? I did have a wittness but, should I fight the ticket, or will the police officer pretty much win no matter what?
2007-08-11 12:15:14 · 17 answers · asked by GREG 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
If you have a witness to your speed, then fight.
I believe there is not a law stating that the presence of officers must be known.
2007-08-11 12:24:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
1
2016-06-12 04:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each state has different rules with respect to the methodologies of how they apprehend alleged law breakers.
It is not unusual for there to be a speed trap one place, which radios ahead to a police officer further down the road. In all probability where you were allegedly doing 55 mph was a goodly distance before the stop sign, and earlier in your driving route another police officer radioed description of your car to the police officer who was hiding in the bushes.
The equipment used by the police to measure people speeds at whatever ... people have challenged this in court cases and universally lost.
2007-08-11 13:26:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's a tricky one - but yes, cops are allowed to hide, lol, they do it everywhere. Why do you think radar detectors are so popular? As for contesting the ticket, I would if I were you. Be sure to bring your witness, and also be sure to ask for the inspection record for the radar gun if one was used. If other cars were in the vicinity while the radar gun was being used, be sure to mention that as well. You never know, if another car behind you was speeding and the cop mistook the signal as your car, then you might have an out right there... not likely but you never know.
Either that, or pay the money and take an option to go to traffic school to get it off your record. That's what I did on my last speeding ticket, but then again, I was definitely guilty and I knew it.
Good luck with that.... :^S
2007-08-11 12:33:48 · answer #4 · answered by Insomniac Butterfly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
And the fact that you were speeding negates the Officer was not in plain view? Get over it, you were speeding. Yes the Officer can be hidden from view. In suburban Chicago, Police are dressing as road workers and catching quite a few law breakers. Instead of giving the Officer a hard time, cut him, yourself, and the public a break. Stop speeding!!!
2007-08-11 13:29:05 · answer #5 · answered by D squared 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I doubt an officer would actually walk in front of a car traveling a t 55 mph, or even 40 mph. Aside from that, nothing you describe him doing is illegal or even uncommon.
Come to think of it, I have never seen a stop light in an area with a speed limit above 30 mph.
2007-08-11 12:28:40 · answer #6 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess this will be a learning ticket for you. Next time ask to see the police officers gun. It does keep the time, and watch his voice and how he acts when you ask question.
I could go on and on about my tickets in life. There was one thou that I inform not guilty. All the other tickets have been guilty as charged sir. Well, you do have a chance to enter no contest Walter. No sir, I was guilty thus I am paying my fine sir. Point is, when I am guilty, I am guilty and can prove it. When I am Innocent, I can prove that as well. It has only happened once and I felt beyond a reasonable doubt that I, was innocent.
2007-08-11 12:28:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that they must be in plain view and not hiding in the grass or behind trees like snakes. Is it true that they must be in plain view? If not, what are the laws for them to be visible/not visible to motorists?
Untrue. At least in New Jersey. I can't answer for the other 49 states. Of course you need a good line of sight to aim the radar/laser. I know this has been asked several times already but I'm not going to attempt a search. The Dope is going at a snail's pace right now as it is.
2016-10-07 18:41:44 · answer #8 · answered by Jensen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's no law that an officer has to make everyone aware of their presence... If they did, they'd not have to write tickets. The entire point is catching the people who don't care and aren't watching their speed and think they can go over the speed limit. If officers made their presence known, lawbreakers would never get caught...
2007-08-11 12:32:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
They can do whatever it takes to catch a potential speeder. Not too many drivers would disobey the speed limit if you saw a police cruiser sitting there, now would they? If youre obeying the traffic laws, then why worry about it? And oh yes, if the cop clocked you via his radar gun, then youre right....hes gonna win. The proof is in the pudding baby.
2007-08-11 12:27:17 · answer #10 · answered by Debbie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have seen them do that - not hiding in the bushes, but there is a 'no turn on red' sign at an intersection and they park around the corner and watch. Since drivers are looking for traffic from their left, they dont see them there on the right so as soon as they turn the cop walks out in the street and pulls them over. It's right before a fwy. onramp, so traffic is congested and not hard for him to get in front of the car. plus, he's got his motorcycle parked in case anyone tries to get smart!
2007-08-11 14:21:19 · answer #11 · answered by Kmmv 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋