I was driving on a three lane road in Dallas and I was in the front of the "pack". At first I thought there was just a man walking across the road, but then I realized he wasn't moving, and I had to slam on my brakes not to hit him ( as well as the truck behind me that swirved over not to hit us both). When I pulled off onto a close residential street and asked him what t he problem was and why he would walk across three lanes to stop me, he answered with, "I'll tell you when I find out who Im talking to." He ticketed me with 53 in a 35. But when I noticed that he had his motorcycle parked right next to the road, I was furious. Why didn't he pursue me on his bike WITH LIGHTS!? Im taking it to court and many say im wasting my time. But being a 20 year old female in Dallas, I will not EVER stop for that again because it could have been anyone in a police costume. The rates of impersonation, kidnapping, and danger in Dallas are just too high for this to be legal. so now what?
2007-09-14 08:47:16 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
You are required, by law, to stop on an officer's signal. It doesn't matter if he is on foot, horseback, or motor vehicle. What if there was a bad accident ahead, and he tried to stop you? As far as the truck behind you, if he couldn't stop safely, he was following too close.
Whether or not you agree with the way the officer handled this, you are wasting your time going to court if you were indeed speeding. The court isn't interested in officer conduct, you need to address that through his supervisor. All the court is interested in is the charges brought against you.
2007-09-14 08:58:34 · answer #1 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are wasting your time in regards to getting the ticket dismissed unless there are circumstances that you are not sharing.
If your point is to complain about HOW the officer stopped you, then the courtroom is not the place to do that, the Chief's office is. Make an appointment and go see him/her. Give the details, and file the grievance.
In so much as not stopping, some time back there was a rash of assaults perpetrated by people impersonating police officers. At the time, the advice was given to stop in a 'well lighted and populated' area, rather than dark streets when possible. At no time was the advice "don't stop".
Face it, the bottom line is you were speeding. The Chief should be made aware that in your opinion, the way the officer stopped you was a danger to him, you and the person driving behind you, but don't let that become your basis for fighting a rightful citation.
2007-09-14 09:33:30 · answer #2 · answered by Michael H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
And you will get arrested next time for fleeing and disobeying a traffic officer.
Don't blame the cop if you were going almost 20 over the limit, your foot was on the pedal. In a 35 zone you should be able to stop in time when you see him.
You didn't mention if he had the lights on on the motorcycle.
2007-09-14 09:02:05 · answer #3 · answered by Charlie Fingers 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What is your basis for taking it to court? Did he get you with police radar? Did he stop you? Did he give you a ticket? If the answer to all three of these questions is yes, you have no case. Taking it to court just because you don't like the way he stopped you (which is perfectly legal, by the way) will make you look like you have an axe to grind, and the judge won't take kindly to it. You're better off paying the ticket.
2007-09-14 08:57:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A police officer in uniform whether on foot or in a vehicle holds the same authority. He does not need to be on his motorcycle to pull you over. All he needs to do is direct you. Why would you think that it would make any difference? I think you're watching too much TV. Disobeying a police officers direction/signal is a misdemeanor, an arrestable offense. I would not recommend ignoring it.
2007-09-14 09:22:46 · answer #5 · answered by chill out 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what your complaint is. Maybe the cop was a bit careless by stepping in front of you so suddenly, but if a cop sees you speeding he can pull you over whether he's in his car, on foot, on his bicycle, or on his horse. Besides, if somebody really wants to impersonate a cop by getting a realistic badge and uniform, it isn't too hard for him to buy a decommissioned police cruiser/motocycle and put lights on it too.
2007-09-14 14:22:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something ludacris like this happened to me as well. I was driving along a two lane road ,when it merged into one. Because no one was allowing me to merge, I sped up and merged at the first possible chance (the second lane turned into a turn only lane and the speed limit was 25) At that point was I was doing 30, or 35, and of course didn't obey the fact that it was a turn lane only. There was a cop there, and he pulled out at his first available chance (no lights) and was 4 or so cars behind me. I pulled into my work parking lot, shut off my car and was climbing out. MY feet were OUT of the car, when here he comes pulling into my parking lot and flips on his lights.
At that point he was on private land, and my keys were not in the ignition, but I called a lawyer on it and they said that there was nothing I could do.
I believe I COULD have fought it and won, but because everyone puts faith in the legal system so blindly, I just let it go.
You should fight it if you can, many cops just get a wild hair up their *** and issue tickets and think that they can issue tickets anyway anyhow. I believe this to be abuse of their power, and if you can fight it, do it. Even if you don't win, you're proving something.
EDIT: By all the "don't fight it" answers here, it's exactly what I meant by people following so blindly!!!!! It's his right to fight it if he feels it's unfair, if he loses he, so what!!! Legally, and constitutionally, he's allowed to fight it!!!
2007-09-14 09:01:30 · answer #7 · answered by Kristin B © 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
The police officer has every right to pull you over on foot, and don't try and use your, "costume" excuse, becuase anyone could fake a police car too, but you already said you would have pulled over, if he used his bike....
2007-09-16 04:06:32 · answer #8 · answered by joseph b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is how Motor Cops operate. You will not win the the cite in court.
If you continue to drive next time this happens, you will be pulled over and have the full police service given to you. Its your choice.
2007-09-14 11:56:17 · answer #9 · answered by California Street Cop 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The officer does not have to be in a police vehicle, or any vehicle for that matter, to initiate a traffic stop. Generally these officers have to be in some type of uniform.
Remember there were police officers long before there were cars.
2007-09-14 09:45:16 · answer #10 · answered by taters_0 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋